Trying RCIA again

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Stubbertson

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Hi,

I am not yet a baptized Catholic. My initiation into the Catholic faith has begun in fits and starts. I first became interested in the Catholic faith when I was in college, about 7-8 years ago. I moved away from that town before I could begin the RCIA there. A few years later, after my second child was born, I began RCIA at my local church but stopped after a while. I tried again some time later but stopped again. I was dealing with some very difficult spiritual issues after the death of my daughter and could not handle going. It has been 2 years since I last tried going through RCIA and I want to go back, but I am embarrassed. I am worried they will not take me seriously because of the two times I tried and did not finish the RCIA.

Has anyone else been through this? Is there anything I should say when I contact them again? Thank you so much!
 
RCIA is not intended to “lock you in” to becoming a Catholic, so you should feel no embarrassment even if you start over fifty times.

HOWEVER

RCIA is NOT the end-all-be-all means of entering the Church.

First off, have you been baptized in another faith previously?
How far did you get in the RCIA program? Did you go through any rites?
 
Hi,

Thanks for replying! I have never been baptized before. I went through the Rite of Acceptance but nothing else.
 
My Parish had a man who went through and said he needed some time to think about it. He ended up as a cook for the RCIA program (my program has dinner) for several years before he told Father he was ready to join the Church. We’re all on a spiritual journey in this life. Sometimes it takes some of us longer than others to find our way into the Church. Don’t feel embarrassed at all. You are perfectly normal!

JMR
 
I’ve been through this on the other side, as an RCIA director. We’ve had people start, stop, and start again. Everything works in God’s time and perhaps, for you, God’s time is now. God is loving and patient, and invites us over and over to come closer. God has invited you and continues to invite you. You have responded in the past and continue to respond to those invitations. Isn’t that absolutely wonderful and awe-inspiring!
 
Welcome home. God bless you on your RCIA journey. You may want to check out the thread RCIA Let’s Swim Together in the Back Fence on the Home Page. You can do a search for the thread at the top of the Home Page. It is a thread where members are in an RCIA program & they discuss their journey. God bless.🙂
 
Blessings and Greetings,

As one who came into the Church through RCIA and who worked on an RCIA team for over 15 years let me say to you … “Be at peace”

You have faced and are living every parent’s nightmare. My heart goes out to you. Do not worry about a parish RCIA … They will welcome you with open arms. People in every state and from every experience walk through that door seeking to know and love God. They want to share in your life, your experience. Loss is hard - I lost a spouse a few years back … I am still healing … I have a son with a heart condition - I have only peaked through the door you were thrust through … I am praying for you and your family :gopray:

You are on a journey … not a program … The purpose of RCIA is not to have a X number of new Catholics at each Easter Vigil … there is no time line, no pressure and no expiration date for you.

We had a gentleman whose son came through RCIA. That young man eventually went off to seminary and is now a Priest … his father started and stopped RCIA a number of times … he told me once he thought he was on the “Five year plan” … he never did become a Catholic - though he attends Mass regularly and supports his son’s vocation … time will tell - he may yet become a Catholic - he may not … its his journey - we are only companions …

We always want sponsors who are ‘honest brokers’ - ones that have no vested interest in a particular outcome … that is why fiancés, spouses, etc. do not make the best sponsors … they want the person to become Catholic and makes it hard for the person to come to them with their struggles and concerns. At times - even our ‘honest broker’ sponsors loose that perspective and need to be reminded.

Here is what the Church wants - To share the Good News of Christ with you. Walk that journey of discovery with you. Share the wisdom and traditions of the Christian experience from the time of Christ to the present. To embrace you when you hear God’s call in your life. Assist you in your Christian walk - once you embrace the Christian Life …

You have a life long relationship with the Church … the Church is always here for you wherever you are in your journey … She is not leaving, she will accept you where you are …

May God Bless you
 
don’t worry, you will be with a new class, maybe even a new director. everyone will just be happy that you’re there

God bless you on your journey
 
Many people start RCIA and then fall away and then come back. Mine was about 20 years after my first try. Its nothing to be embarrassed or worried about, Just be thankful God as continued to beckon you back and you have answered the call.
God Bless on your journey.
 
I once sponsored a man who had tried twice previously to convert. Due to work issues and changes in his location, he had not made it through in his previous attempts. Even with his third attempt, work sometimes made it difficult, but we persevered and he made it through, receiving the needed sacraments at the Easter vigil. Be patient, for God surely is.

DGB
 
I know of a Jewish man who attended RCIA in our Parish three years and then did convert. Certainly it’s not necessary to convert as noted and never a need to be embarrassed, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your daughter. What a tragedy and you have my prayers and may she rest in peace.
Mary.
 
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