Trying to become Catholic

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lifeline

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I’m a little frustrated right now. About 3 years ago I went through RCIA, but decided I wasn’t ready to become Catholic. Well, now I finally feel ready and the priest is giving me a hard time. I set up a meeting with him about a month ago to talk to him about entering the church now, but he was sick so I scheduled another appointment to meet with him. That appointment was today. We talked for maybe 10 to 15 minutes. He wasn’t really prepared & didn’t ask me much. I’m not sure what it is he needs to know. He told me today that he wants me to read 3 vat. II documents & for each document to make an appt. & come to discuss it with him. I’m having to take off work each time I have one of these meetings. I feel very impatient because I’m ready to become Catholic now. It’s not like I’m rushing into this. I mean I waited 3 years to make sure I was ready. I’m thinking I should go back to the church where I took RCIA. Maybe it won’t be so difficult there. Comments would be much appriciated.
 
IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFERTABLE WITH THIS PRIEST, I RECCOMEND GOING TO ANOTHER PARISH. GOD BLESS ON YOUR JOURNEY.
 
If you feel that this priest is treating you unjustly, you may want to seek another. However, remember that your joining the Church is not solely your decision. Becoming a Catholic as an adult involves two decisions; yours and the Churches. It’s wonderful that you feel ready to join the Church but the Church must also feel that you are ready. This involves a determination to the Church’s satisfaction that you accept Catholic doctrine; especially the Catholic understanding of those doctrines embodied in the Creed. Whatever course you take, be patient.

This is another area that separates the Catholic Church from many other Churches. We don’t simply make an “altar call” and have anyone who just walked in immediately join. Becoming a Catholic involves accepting ALL of the Church’s teachings so there is a responsibility on the Church’s part to ensure to her own satsifaction that you are ready for this. 🙂
 
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lifeline:
I’m a little frustrated right now. About 3 years ago I went through RCIA, but decided I wasn’t ready to become Catholic. Well, now I finally feel ready and the priest is giving me a hard time. I set up a meeting with him about a month ago to talk to him about entering the church now, but he was sick so I scheduled another appointment to meet with him. That appointment was today. We talked for maybe 10 to 15 minutes. He wasn’t really prepared & didn’t ask me much. I’m not sure what it is he needs to know. He told me today that he wants me to read 3 vat. II documents & for each document to make an appt. & come to discuss it with him. I’m having to take off work each time I have one of these meetings. I feel very impatient because I’m ready to become Catholic now. It’s not like I’m rushing into this. I mean I waited 3 years to make sure I was ready. I’m thinking I should go back to the church where I took RCIA. Maybe it won’t be so difficult there. Comments would be much appriciated.
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is it a question of injustice… you said he was sick… some faiths a person just walks down the aisle and viola, your now a member of that faith… i would think that your search for truth and decision to join wasn’t a snap decision… at least if you comply with the request, and your still certain, then not only will you be a catholic by choice (something I always envied) but an informed one at that. 👍
 
Dear Lifeline,

please pray about this before going to another priest. It could be that the current priest sees something and wants to make sure you fully understand the church’s teaching. Three years is a lot of time between finishing RCIA and joining the church. Please be patient. This is a decision for the rest of you life; a few weeks is not a big deal. As far as having to take time off work, see if the priest can schedule for another time. My priest has made time for me in the early evening maybe yours could make an accomodation for you. If not though, see it as a sacrifice for this Holy Church. It is worth it.
 
I definately don’t feel like I’m jumping in too quickly. I didn’t enter the church for 3 years because I wanted to make sure I believed all the doctrines the church teaches. I don’t take becoming Catholic lightly at all. I just know that I’m ready & I don’t want to wait another 3 months to become Catholic. If I hadn’t been throught RCIA & I hadn’t read Catholic books & watched EWTN & gone online researching, I could understand why it would take longer to enter. But I have done all of these things and am so very ready to join the Church.
 
It does sound though like maybe the priest “sees” something with you which is why he’s requiring the further work. I mean wouldn’t the easy thing for him be to rubber-stamp you in, give you the sacraments, and be done with it? He also needs to block out time to see you for these future appointments.

So it sounds to be like he’s doing what he’s supposed to do, and you may not yet understand why (and I certainly didn’t understand at the time of my reversion why my priest required certain things of me).

JELane
 
All of the suggestions have been so right. I’m not sure what else I can add other than to say pray to God about this process and just remember the priest does not want you to NOT be part of his congregation (that is he wants you to be a part of their church). If you really feel that the priest is going to be too big of a hinderance, then you really are forced to go somewhere else. God bless you on your journey! 🙂
 
Congratulations on deciding you are ready to join the Church! You have been given some excellent advice here already. There is certainly no prohibition about going to another Church, but my preference would be to see you stick it out where you are. Also, don’t let your impatience get the better of you. Looked at another way, this Priest has given you an excellent opportunity to learn more about the faith you are choosing to follow and is giving you the opportunity to discuss the Church with him one-on-one. That should be a good thing!

Read the documents he’s assigned critically. Ask yourself and him why those specific documents were suggested. Use this time to further contemplate and rejoice in your decision. Yes, missing work is a hassle, and I wouldn’t like having to do that either, but is becoming Catholic worth even that inconvenience to you? I hope so!

Again, congratulations and may your journey home be as great for you as it was for me!
 
He’s not really asking me anything to find out if I’m ready or not. I don’t think he came prepared for either meeting.
 
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lifeline:
I’m thinking I should go back to the church where I took RCIA.
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I really don’t see anything wrong with this course of action either. If you have already gone through the RCIA at another parish it would make sense to complete it with them. The only drawback that I see is that when you enter the church through the RCIA, you are also entering a particular parish. So if that parish is convenient to you, that might be an option. Also, it may be that the priest where you are now simply has his hands full. You might ask him if he would consider it appropriate for you to complete the RCIA at the parish where you started it.

JimG
 
For your next meeting, allow him to decide when and where. Maybe this will help. Maybe take the priest out to dinner or lunch. Setting up positive communication with another person will help you in formal situations. I bet it would do wonders to invite the priest to your home for a meal or out to supper. You could try this.
 
3 years ago I became catholic.
I went to the parish priest office and I asked him what can I do. He established a meeting with me the next day and I attendes at the courses (1-1.1/2 hours) each week for an year after that I made the profesion of faith and now I’m catholic.
Thanks God that we have such a good parish priest.

I hope you will be soon catholic.

God bless you.
 
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lifeline:
I’m a little frustrated right now. About 3 years ago I went through RCIA, but decided I wasn’t ready to become Catholic. Well, now I finally feel ready and the priest is giving me a hard time. I set up a meeting with him about a month ago to talk to him about entering the church now, but he was sick so I scheduled another appointment to meet with him. That appointment was today. We talked for maybe 10 to 15 minutes. He wasn’t really prepared & didn’t ask me much. I’m not sure what it is he needs to know. He told me today that he wants me to read 3 vat. II documents & for each document to make an appt. & come to discuss it with him. I’m having to take off work each time I have one of these meetings. I feel very impatient because I’m ready to become Catholic now. It’s not like I’m rushing into this. I mean I waited 3 years to make sure I was ready. I’m thinking I should go back to the church where I took RCIA. Maybe it won’t be so difficult there. Comments would be much appriciated.
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I highly suggest you talk to the priest at the church where you took RCIA. He may be able to explain this other priest’s actions and give you some suggestions. I know it can be frustrating, honest I do. But don’t give up. It will definately be worth it and will make your confirmation much more meaningful. You will be in my prayers.
Maggie
 
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