Uncertainty on how to proceed

[Skittles73]

Hello all,
In the past I have asked for advice about being away from the Church for some 30+ years. I took all the advice very seriously and am happy to say that I am regularly attending Mass. Of course, I have missed a few Sundays due to my work hours, but I put blame mostly on myself.
My hesitation at this point is which way to turn in my yearning for Confirmation. I have spoken to the priest many times and he has mentioned the path I would be taking, My dilemma is that I live in a small town and our parish has only one priest. It is completely understandable that the priest is very busy with his duties being he is the only one. He has told me in the past to remind him because he is sometimes a forgetful person. I have reminded him on several occasions and he still seems to forget. However, there comes a point that forgetfulness can no longer serve as an excuse.
My frustration has peaked when I purposefully sent him a message via FaceBook, asking specifically when a good time to meet (while including my schedule) to discuss starting our talks about the Confirmation process. I noticed that he did see this message the other day and has yet to respond. I admit, I am a sinner…and I am very frustrated right now. It would have been nice to at least received and acknowledgement that he has seen my message and would get back with me. But…NOTHING!!!
I looked into finding another Church to go to, however the closest one is a half hour away and it is not feasible for me to make this trip multiple times each week.
All in all…I need to get Confirmed (before I die) and the only priest in our parish seems too busy to aid me in this process. Do not know how to proceed. Any advice.
Thank you

 

[Reuben_J]

Does the parish do Baptism during Easter vigil? Otherwise you can register for Confirmation and wait for the coming Easter to have it done together with the baptismal candidates. In that case, he will not forget.

 

[pianistclare]

Speak to the Director of Religious Education at your parish.
He or she will bring the matter up, and will get back to you with a plan.
Tell him/her you want to register for Adult Confirmation class. If they have one, problem solved. If they don’t they will either create one, or set up private instruction with themselves or the priest.
Contacting the priest on the “fly” or on FaceBook is not terribly official.
Go to the DRE on official business, and see if things don’t work out just fine They may put you in RCIA, which is likely getting ready to begin.
You’ll be fine.
God bless, and welcome home.

 

[babochka]

Hello all,
In the past I have asked for advice about being away from the Church for some 30+ years. I took all the advice very seriously and am happy to say that I am regularly attending Mass. Of course, I have missed a few Sundays due to my work hours, but I put blame mostly on myself.
My hesitation at this point is which way to turn in my yearning for Confirmation. I have spoken to the priest many times and he has mentioned the path I would be taking, My dilemma is that I live in a small town and our parish has only one priest. It is completely understandable that the priest is very busy with his duties being he is the only one. He has told me in the past to remind him because he is sometimes a forgetful person. I have reminded him on several occasions and he still seems to forget. However, there comes a point that forgetfulness can no longer serve as an excuse.
My frustration has peaked when I purposefully sent him a message via FaceBook, asking specifically when a good time to meet (while including my schedule) to discuss starting our talks about the Confirmation process. I noticed that he did see this message the other day and has yet to respond. I admit, I am a sinner…and I am very frustrated right now. It would have been nice to at least received and acknowledgement that he has seen my message and would get back with me. But…NOTHING!!!
I looked into finding another Church to go to, however the closest one is a half hour away and it is not feasible for me to make this trip multiple times each week.
All in all…I need to get Confirmed (before I die) and the only priest in our parish seems too busy to aid me in this process. Do not know how to proceed. Any advice.
Thank you

What has the priest indicated to you will be your path? Will you be confirmed by the priest or by the bishop? Are there youth being confirmed at your parish? When is there next scheduled confirmation? Can you be included with them?

If this is a very small parish (and for some reason I have the impression that it is), it is possible that there is no Director of Religious Education, nor an RCIA program or Adult Confirmation Class scheduled.

If the priest is the appropriate (only!) contact in the parish, he is likely very overwhelmed and overworked. In my parish, the priest is the only official contact for darn near everything. We have no staff - no director of religious education, no secretary, no maintenance - just Father (and a handful of unofficial volunteers who step in to help when possible.) If this is the situation in your parish, it could make any priest a bit scatter-brained. Assuming that the priest is the correct person to approach for this, be patient and persistent with him. Keep a sense of humor. Be direct. When he puts you off, or tells you the general process, remind him that you’ve already talked about that and you’d like to take concrete steps to make this happen. Ask him if there’s someone else you should talk to get started. Maybe through the diocese? Ask him, in your next personal conversation, for a concrete next step that you should take. Don’t take it personally. If he’s super over-worked, these things happen. Sometimes a lot.

 

[Skittles73]

What has the priest indicated to you will be your path? Will you be confirmed by the priest or by the bishop? Are there youth being confirmed at your parish? When is there next scheduled confirmation? Can you be included with them?

If this is a very small parish (and for some reason I have the impression that it is), it is possible that there is no Director of Religious Education, nor an RCIA program or Adult Confirmation Class scheduled.

As of yet, the priest has spoken to me about the approach. He said that the next time we meet, he will basically quiz me on how much I know and what I believe Confirmation to be. He says that this will determine where to begin and how long it should take me.
He also never mentioned others (or a class), or whether I would be meeting with anyone else. So I assume that it would be solely him that will guide me through this.

This little chat we had was almost a month ago. The recent message I sent him, I had never heard back. I am also aware that one of my faults has to do with patience.

Yes, this parish is extremely small.
Thank you

 

[Brendan_64]

I agree with the point that the priest may be overworked. Parishes are not businesses where we are customers who expect responses within a few days. Your priest might be up to his eyes in work and snowed under. Perhaps he would be best approached in a laid back, casual manner, and allow him plenty of time and gentle reminders now and then?

 

[Vico]

Hello all,
In the past I have asked for advice about being away from the Church for some 30+ years. I took all the advice very seriously and am happy to say that I am regularly attending Mass. Of course, I have missed a few Sundays due to my work hours, but I put blame mostly on myself.
My hesitation at this point is which way to turn in my yearning for Confirmation. I have spoken to the priest many times and he has mentioned the path I would be taking, My dilemma is that I live in a small town and our parish has only one priest. It is completely understandable that the priest is very busy with his duties being he is the only one. He has told me in the past to remind him because he is sometimes a forgetful person. I have reminded him on several occasions and he still seems to forget. However, there comes a point that forgetfulness can no longer serve as an excuse.
My frustration has peaked when I purposefully sent him a message via FaceBook, asking specifically when a good time to meet (while including my schedule) to discuss starting our talks about the Confirmation process. I noticed that he did see this message the other day and has yet to respond. I admit, I am a sinner…and I am very frustrated right now. It would have been nice to at least received and acknowledgement that he has seen my message and would get back with me. But…NOTHING!!!
I looked into finding another Church to go to, however the closest one is a half hour away and it is not feasible for me to make this trip multiple times each week.
All in all…I need to get Confirmed (before I die) and the only priest in our parish seems too busy to aid me in this process. Do not know how to proceed. Any advice.
Thank you

Charlotte Chancery Office, 1123 S. Church St., P.O. Box 36776, Charlotte, NC 28236, USA. Phone: +1 (704) 370-6299

Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis

 

[babochka]

As of yet, the priest has spoken to me about the approach. He said that the next time we meet, he will basically quiz me on how much I know and what I believe Confirmation to be. He says that this will determine where to begin and how long it should take me.
He also never mentioned others (or a class), or whether I would be meeting with anyone else. So I assume that it would be solely him that will guide me through this.

This little chat we had was almost a month ago. The recent message I sent him, I had never heard back. I am also aware that one of my faults has to do with patience.

Yes, this parish is extremely small.
Thank you

Next time you see the priest, why not ask him for an appointment to talk about it and take the next step. Then you can go to see him when he specifically has the time set aside for you. He can put it on his calendar and this will likely help him to remember and be prepared.