Tips for pre-RCIA?

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HAnne

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I’m ecstatic! I just found out our local parish is starting their RCIA classes in a few weeks and I feel so immensely blessed to be able to join them! 🙂

I’m a bit nervous about the class. The one other person in it has been a part of the Catholic Church for years and will likely have much more knowledge than I. I have that overwhelming feeling of signing up for a calculus class and being the only one in the class that hasn’t taken trigonometry first.

Any tips on what I should be doing to prepare for the classes beyond going to Mass and starting to find someone I may click with to be my sponsor?
 
Actually, it will be closer to a basic math class, in comparison. Enjoy what is taught, all I can say. I took an accelorated class, I was rather bored since most of what was being discussed, I already knew about at great length, and could elaborate further then what was being taught in many cases as well.

It’s geared way down, acedemia when it comes to it, so don’t at all be worried about it. Enjoy the ride, is the best advice I can give you, while you attend. Meanwhile, there are a ton of resources to draw upon in study material and Google up plenty more on top of it.
 
Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti have collaborated to produce a book which is intended for both aspiring, as well as experienced Catholics. The only problem with it is the title Catholicism for Dummies. You can get it here or here, as well as locally, I am sure. With it, you can study up during the week and not feel the slightest bit out of step.

Christ’s peace be with you.
 
streetpreacher said:
Actually, it will be closer to a basic math class, in comparison. Enjoy what is taught, all I can say. I took an accelorated class, I was rather bored since most of what was being discussed, I already knew about at great length, and could elaborate further then what was being taught in many cases as well.

It’s geared way down, acedemia when it comes to it, so don’t at all be worried about it. Enjoy the ride, is the best advice I can give you, while you attend. Meanwhile, there are a ton of resources to draw upon in study material and Google up plenty more on top of it.
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To be frankly honest I have a research problem. 🤓 lol

It’s why I came here - to learn as much as I can from those walking the walk, those criticizing it, and those around it. This has been an immensely wonderful resource in and of itself.
 
po18guy said:
Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti have collaborated to produce a book which is intended for both aspiring, as well as experienced Catholics. The only problem with it is the title Catholicism for Dummies. You can get it here or here, as well as locally, I am sure. With it, you can study up during the week and not feel the slightest bit out of step.

Christ’s peace be with you.
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While normally finding anything locally would be impossible (yes, I live 120 miles from a Barnes and Noble, Borders, or any other kind of bookstore…I’m in the sticks.) I happen to be taking a trip to a metropolis on Thursday so I can pick the book up there. Another one someone recommended was “Why Do Catholics Do That?” Being a bookworm 🤓 I will likely finish them before Saturday Mass. 🙂 lol
 
HAnne said:
While normally finding anything locally would be impossible (yes, I live 120 miles from a Barnes and Noble, Borders, or any other kind of bookstore…I’m in the sticks.) I happen to be taking a trip to a metropolis on Thursday so I can pick the book up there. Another one someone recommended was “Why Do Catholics Do That?” Being a bookworm 🤓 I will likely finish them before Saturday Mass. 🙂 lol
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I am also going to RCIA at the moment, there are about 6-7 of us, plus about 4 people who are already Catholics and are there to support whoever is teaching the session but sit with us students.

I really recommend Catholicism for Dummies! I’m based in the UK, so the book is sometimes irrelevant to me as it is written for an American audience but it is very helpful. The language is very informal and easy to read. I also recommend buying a copy of the catcheism of the Church, because once you have a basic understanding of teaching you can look it up in the catcheism and find out what Bible quotes support it. 🙂

Good luck by the way! I was very nervous going to my first session but I’ve got my 4th tonight and I’m enjoying it a lot. 🙂
 
HAnne said:
To be frankly honest I have a research problem. 🤓 lol

It’s why I came here - to learn as much as I can from those walking the walk, those criticizing it, and those around it. This has been an immensely wonderful resource in and of itself.
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Be sure if you are using this place, to cross reference what’s being said with resources to back them up. Not everything you hear is perfectly in line with the church, this includes the apologetics spot.
 
streetpreacher said:
Be sure if you are using this place, to cross reference what’s being said with resources to back them up. Not everything you hear is perfectly in line with the church, this includes the apologetics spot.
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Agreed completely. That’s part of why it takes me so long on here to read the threads. I’m cross referencing it to other sources, verifying with Catholics I know, and trying to exercise due diligence. I also, after hanging out here, have a HUGE list of questions for when I get the opportunity to start asking them. 🙂
 
HAnne said:
I’m ecstatic! I just found out our local parish is starting their RCIA classes in a few weeks and I feel so immensely blessed to be able to join them! 🙂

I’m a bit nervous about the class. The one other person in it has been a part of the Catholic Church for years and will likely have much more knowledge than I. I have that overwhelming feeling of signing up for a calculus class and being the only one in the class that hasn’t taken trigonometry first.

Any tips on what I should be doing to prepare for the classes beyond going to Mass and starting to find someone I may click with to be my sponsor?
Click to expand...
Welcome Home!

rule no. 1, don’t compare your situation or progress on the journey to that of anyone else who may be in formation at the same time. You are starting from different points so the journey will not be the same for all of you.

rule no 2.
ask questions
rule no 3
ask questions
rule no 4
pray

if you need a sponsor the parish usually provides one for you
 
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