Underwhelmed again

[shutterbugmom27]

So I have posted about finally getting up the nerve to contact the local Catholic Parish and inquire about RCIA. I was baptised Catholic, but that is it. I also posted about going to mass for the first time at my Catholic Parish (underwhelmed).

I have been attending the inquiry meetings. They are over now and we start RCIA in August, which I am very excited about. The group seems to be a good one and I cannot wait. My youngest daughter is all signed up for weekly Faith Formation classes as well. Everyone in the RCIA/Faith Formation part of the parish has been so welcoming and wonderful, which is why I am so eager to start RCIA and become fully Catholic.

Part of RCIA is that we meet with the Monsignor before RCIA actually starts. The head of the Faith Formation program said he likes to meet the newbies coming in. I was nervous, but excited about this. I had heard from many church goers about how wonderfully welcoming and great the Monsignor is. Our meeting got rescheduled because Monsignor had a funeral come up that he had to tend to. So earlier this week we finally met. Once again, I was very underwhelmed. He didn’t actually introduce himself when he came out to meet me. Then he had no clue why I was there, though I told his secretary on the phone and I am not the only one from RCIA who was told to meet with him. Then when I told him why I was there he asked if there was any particular topic I wished to discuss. “Umm, I have no clue…I was told to meet with you”. Of course I did not say this, I just said I knew I had to have my marriage convalidated. He then asked about my marriage and told me it would be an easy process since it is both my and DH’s first marriage. We were married at the courthouse. But he said we would do the convalidation later in the RCIA process. Then there were alot of awkward loooong silences where he just kind of looked down at his hands like he couldn’t think of anything to say to me. I was only there for about 10 minutes.

I think maybe I am just expecting too much. You would think with all the scandal in the catholic church and people leaving, they would be more than eager to have new ones joining. I felt like I was inconveniencing him.

But I am still very excited for RCIA and I have felt wonderful about that aspect and the people there. That is what is keeping me hanging on.

Just wanted to share:

Heather

 

[JustSmile111]

Good for you for wanting to become part of the catholic church! So happy for you!

Don’t let a mere human being put you off the faith…remember that God is perfect, but his people aren’t! Just because you’re a priest it doesn’t mean you’re blessed with 100% holiness and have a lovely welcoming nature. Please don’t let him put you off!

Good luck and God Bless :clapping:

 

[frjimt]

Check your “feelings” & make sure you get a good spiritual advisor & support sponsor.
Underwhelmed… something I think the disciples felt very often…
Instead of telling us what you were underwhemled with (and no we don’t fly by the radar of the media or so-called abuse scandal) why not give a try telling us what you are looking for.
A great way to do that is to journal…write about it…remember, this isn’t a church built around fellowship…it’s a church built around contact with the Lord & His sacramental life.
The holy sacrifice of the mass is never underwhelming, I can be underwhelming, but not the sacrifice that saves the world!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

So I have posted about finally getting up the nerve to contact the local Catholic Parish and inquire about RCIA. I was baptised Catholic, but that is it. I also posted about going to mass for the first time at my Catholic Parish (underwhelmed).

I have been attending the inquiry meetings. They are over now and we start RCIA in August, which I am very excited about. The group seems to be a good one and I cannot wait. My youngest daughter is all signed up for weekly Faith Formation classes as well. Everyone in the RCIA/Faith Formation part of the parish has been so welcoming and wonderful, which is why I am so eager to start RCIA and become fully Catholic.

Part of RCIA is that we meet with the Monsignor before RCIA actually starts. The head of the Faith Formation program said he likes to meet the newbies coming in. I was nervous, but excited about this. I had heard from many church goers about how wonderfully welcoming and great the Monsignor is. Our meeting got rescheduled because Monsignor had a funeral come up that he had to tend to. So earlier this week we finally met. Once again, I was very underwhelmed. He didn’t actually introduce himself when he came out to meet me. Then he had no clue why I was there, though I told his secretary on the phone and I am not the only one from RCIA who was told to meet with him. Then when I told him why I was there he asked if there was any particular topic I wished to discuss. “Umm, I have no clue…I was told to meet with you”. Of course I did not say this, I just said I knew I had to have my marriage convalidated. He then asked about my marriage and told me it would be an easy process since it is both my and DH’s first marriage. We were married at the courthouse. But he said we would do the convalidation later in the RCIA process. Then there were alot of awkward loooong silences where he just kind of looked down at his hands like he couldn’t think of anything to say to me. I was only there for about 10 minutes.

I think maybe I am just expecting too much. You would think with all the scandal in the catholic church and people leaving, they would be more than eager to have new ones joining. I felt like I was inconveniencing him.

But I am still very excited for RCIA and I have felt wonderful about that aspect and the people there. That is what is keeping me hanging on.

Just wanted to share:

Heather

Heather, I am excited that you are coming home! :dancing::extrahappy::bounce:

I bolded what I think is really going on with you. Yes, your expectations are quite high. Each individual priest is his own person, some of them are more personable and warm, others less so. At the Monsignor level, that priest may not enjoy meeting with new catechumens, or who knows, maybe he was having a tough day. Maybe he’s shy with people he doesn’t know. Anyway, it doesn’t even matter, because he is not the Church itself! You are joining because of God’s call to you, not because it’s going to be like a party with all your friends around you. (I know that’s an exaggeration and that is not what you expect, but just giving a sort of extreme.)

I do think that converts or reverts tend to expect a lot when they come back or come to the Church for the first time. And that sets them up for a let-down when those expectations aren’t met. Just keep in mind that feelings are not facts. You can “feel” all sorts of things and still know that you are on track and that God loves you deeply and will never leave you. You may or may not have any particular feeling as you take the Eucharist, or get absolution. All of that isn’t important. What’s important is the REALITY that the Eucharist is Jesus’ Body and Blood, poured out for us. And the reality of His Church, still here over 2000 years later.

:heaven::harp:

 

[KP3243]

Don’t get discouraged. When people convert or revert back to the Church it means they have had something in their life draw them back God and naturally a soul get REALLY excited and wants to know anything and everything because they are fire with their faith and the love of God. I understand why you might be preplexed with the monsigner’s response, when I had my second wind I didn’t like my priests homilies for a few weeks because I wanted homilies about scripture at that point and I wanted Rosary before mass established at the 4:30 Mass I attended and all sorts of things. Stick with it and God Bless friend and WELCOME!

 

[fred_conty]

Maybe the secretary whom you talked with did not relay the message why you were coming.
So he had to ask. He also may have been preoccupied with something and just spaced out a little.

At any rate, I know it still feels uncomfortable when something like that happens.

I would like to welcome you back and I really am happy for you and glad to see you responding to Jesus’ call. It is a big blessing and will bring peace as well doing something very pleasing to our dear Lord.

Just a few words of welcome.

 

[iloveangels]

…remember, this isn’t a church built around fellowship…it’s a church built around contact with the Lord & His sacramental life.
The holy sacrifice of the mass is never underwhelming, I can be underwhelming, but not the sacrifice that saves the world!

…

I do think that converts or reverts tend to expect a lot when they come back or come to the Church for the first time. And that sets them up for a let-down when those expectations aren’t met. Just keep in mind that feelings are not facts.

I’m a convert. These are suggestions that will help you from recent posts. Thanks frjimt and RealJuliane.

These comments will help you adjust to being in the Church as it is. Just stick with it and you will be glad you did.