What to expect at RCIA classes?

[sckcd]

I am attending my first RCIA class tonight. What can I expect? All I know is that it lasts an hour.

 

[puzzleannie]

I can tell you what to expect in my parish, but not in yours. I suggest that you approach this process in prayerful anticipation, and take each step as it comes, and consider each class, each rite, each suggestion, as a gift proper for that moment in time. Welcome Home!

In general you can expect some teaching based on the gospels, particularly the Sunday readings, and some type of formal teaching on aspects of Catholic doctrine and practice. You will get what you need to make an informed profession of faith, and to ask for and accept the initiation sacraments. You will be invited after your initiation to move always deeper into the mysteries and teachings and inexhaustible truth of the faith throughout the rest of your life.

 

[stuart12]

It greatly differs throughout the Church. Certain parishes are orthodox. Others blatently heretic/modernist/liberal.

I pray that your journey will be a positive one, and will increase your love for Christ, Our Lady and the Church.

 

[KarenElissa]

First off, welcome! And many prayers for you on your journey.

Puzzleannie gave a good general overview of the process. My guess tonight will be somewhat of an introduction. I would imagine whoever is in charge will introduce them self as well as allow you all to introduce yourselves. I know when I started we had an introduction to the Bible, as in this is a Bible and here is how you use it. Then we read and shared a bit. I’m sure it will be a good low pressure experience.

 

[Sarah25]

Only an hour? My RCIA class lasts two hours every Wednesday. But I’m glad, because there really is much to learn. We do break for a snack though in between hours— one thing I’ve learned about any denomination is that there is always food involved. I don’t think I’d trust a church that didn’t have snacks, and I’m glad I found the church Jesus instituted so I can receive the One True Snack every week.
(Please, do not take what I just said too seriously, I’m not trying to undermine the importance of the Eucharist, it’s only a joke…)

So far we’ve covered the Trinity, and the Incarnation, and Sacred Scripture/Tradition is this week I believe. It’s pretty much going down the basics. If you are already a Christian, most of this will not be brand new for you. For us, there will be a week where we get a full tour of the church facilities. I can’t wait for that.

Nothing to be worried about though

 

[MDF]

I did not have a very positive experience.

When I attended RCIA everyone was there because they wanted to get married in the Catholic church so they need to convert or get a baptism certificate etc. There were about 15 of us. Out of all these people I was the only one who did any of the homework and readings that we were assigned every week. No one cared enough to have a serious conversation about anything , they were just going through the motions.

To sum up my experience , the last class before the mass to baptize the RCIA students that needed it, a fellow student getting upset at me when I corrected her when she said that Jesus had written the old testament. It was only when the teacher stepped in to confirm that Jesus did not write the old testament that she backed down with a very confused look on her face. 4 days later she was baptized and became a catholic.

Oh well. I hope your experiences are better then mine.

 

[puzzleannie]

I
Oh well. I hope your experiences are better then mine.

this poster makes the very good point that everyone’s experience is not the same, no matter how well meaning are the people conducting your RCIA process. It also makes the point that one member of the class does not really know anything about the other candidates, other than what they choose to share. It is wrong, damaging, and destructive of your own spiritual journey to make any judgements about others in the class, their conversion process, their sincerity or the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It is far more productive to direct all your energy and focus to your own progress and conversion process. If you have 15 in the class, you have 15 different stories, 15 individual situations, 15 different reasons for being their, 15 starting points, and 15 ending points.

 

[mkipp]

I entered the church at Easter Vigil this year, I found RCIA to be fascinating and life changing. Our first class was just introductions, a brief overview and a prayer by the Priest. I would suggest going in to this experience with and open heart and mind, and let the holy spirit guide you. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have other questions. God Bless you and Welcome Home.

 

[PJM]

=sckcd;5706550]I am attending my first RCIA class tonight. What can I expect? All I know is that it lasts an hour.

Congradulations!

Thanks for listening to the small and quiet voice of the Holy Spirit:thumbsup:

It ought to be informally, formal. * By this I mean you should expect to be sincerely made wecome. The class is structured BUT they are there to answer YOUR questions, to address YOUR Concerns.

Know that most if not all of your questions will be addressed as part of the class. Who we are, why we believe what we do, and expect to be informed on a great many misunderstnadings about the Catholic Church.

You should be permitted to ask questions as they occour to you, to engage in debate, and to be given “home work” so that discussions can continue in the weeks ahead.

Pray always before class for Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. pray for discernment and humility and the courage to follow what your heart is telling you. Aways Thank The Holy Spirit for helping you at the end of class.

Be open, honest, frank and chairitable It should be a wonderful, delightful experience, with some ups and downs that are quite normal.

No COMMITMENT is sought until you reach the half way point. So relax! The more involved you become the more you’ll get out of it.

Love and prayers,
Pat*

 

[sckcd]

Here’s another question I have: If at the end I do want to join the Catholic Church but I can’t quite reconcile myself to a couple of things, like for example praying to saints, but overall feel like the CC is the place to be can I still join? I guess what I mean is, do you have to agree 100% with everything? I’m already a Christian, so I believe in God, that Jesus died for us, that Hell is real, etc, it’s some of the other things that I am unsure of at this point. But that is why I am going to RCIA, to learn why and how, so maybe it won’t even be an issue.

 

[KarenElissa]

Here’s another question I have: If at the end I do want to join the Catholic Church but I can’t quite reconcile myself to a couple of things, like for example praying to saints, but overall feel like the CC is the place to be can I still join? I guess what I mean is, do you have to agree 100% with everything? I’m already a Christian, so I believe in God, that Jesus died for us, that Hell is real, etc, it’s some of the other things that I am unsure of at this point. But that is why I am going to RCIA, to learn why and how, so maybe it won’t even be an issue.

Well, assuming you are already baptized, the question they ask to receive you into the Church is “do you believe all that the Catholic church teaches and proclaims to be true?” Obviously the correct answer is yes.

Here is the deal though, you can honestly answer that question and be a perfectly faithful Catholic and never say a prayer to a Saint on your own. The question isn’t are you personally comfortable with it, but is it allowable for others to do so.

The other thing I will say is don’t stress to much over any of this right now. You have plenty of time to learn and think and pray before you make a decision. I know personally I struggled with Mary and the Saints at first, not so much with the idea, but with how it related to my own life. I just stuck with it and said some of the prayers even though I wasn’t really sure. After awhile I became much more comfortable with all of it. By the time I was received into the Church, I was ok with it, but it still wasn’t much a part of my life. Now, nearly two years later, it has grown on me. I do stop and ask the Saints for help in various things. And while I don’t have a huge devotion to them like I know some people do, I’ve come a long way.

All that to say, just be patient and open and see where that leads you!

 

[Alindawyl]

Here’s another question I have: If at the end I do want to join the Catholic Church but I can’t quite reconcile myself to a couple of things, like for example praying to saints, but overall feel like the CC is the place to be can I still join? I guess what I mean is, do you have to agree 100% with everything? I’m already a Christian, so I believe in God, that Jesus died for us, that Hell is real, etc, it’s some of the other things that I am unsure of at this point. But that is why I am going to RCIA, to learn why and how, so maybe it won’t even be an issue.

It doesn’t matter if not everything makes sense to you right now, or even later on for that matter. What matters is what you do about it when something doesn’t make sense. Your actions will serve to illustrate what’s in your heart. Do you accept that the Church is presenting God to us and humbly accept that what she teaches is truth, even if you don’t understand? Or do you flex your pride by placing yourself in the position of the final arbiter of truth by telling the Church she is wrong?

You may not be ready to make that decision yet, and that’s ok. Continue attending RCIA and continue praying. This is a great time to ask questions and learn why we believe what we believe. Many times the issue someone has with a certain teaching is based on ignorance about why it is taught, or believing that these teachings come from man rather than God. RCIA should help provide the why that you may be missing for many things.

 

[PJM]

=sckcd;5707598]Here’s another question I have: If at the end I do want to join the Catholic Church but I can’t quite reconcile myself to a couple of things, like for example praying to saints, but overall feel like the CC is the place to be can I still join? I guess what I mean is, do you have to agree 100% with everything? I’m already a Christian, so I believe in God, that Jesus died for us, that Hell is real, etc, it’s some of the other things that I am unsure of at this point. But that is why I am going to RCIA, to learn why and how, so maybe it won’t even be an issue.

The short answer is that we have to accept ALL of the Doctrines and Dogmas of the Church. Having said that, you’ll feel alot better about it once you gain a fuller understanding for the why we do that stuff, stuff

Once you understand that everything we do in Bible based, its alot easier to accept our teachings.

From the Code of Canon Law:
*Can. 750 §1. A person must believe with divine and Catholic faith all those things contained in the word of God, written or handed on, that is, in the one deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church or by its ordinary and universal magisterium which is manifested by the common adherence of the Christian faithful under the leadership of the sacred magisterium; therefore all are bound to avoid any doctrines whatsoever contrary to them.

§2. Each and every thing which is proposed definitively by the magisterium of the Church concerning the doctrine of faith and morals, that is, each and every thing which is required to safeguard reverently and to expound faithfully the same deposit of faith, is also to be firm-ly embraced and retained; therefore, one who rejects those propositions which are to be held definitively is opposed to the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Can. 751 Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Can. 752 Although not an assent of faith, a religious submission of the intellect and will must be given to a doctrine which the Supreme Pontiff or the college of bishops declares concerning faith or morals when they exercise the authentic magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim it by definitive act; therefore, the Christian faithful are to take care to avoid those things which do not agree with it."*

Give yourself sometime to have us share why we do what we do.

Love and prayers,

 

[sckcd]

RCIA went great! I really enjoyed it. We talked about the bible tonight and some introductory stuff. As for the things I am not sure of yet, I will cross those bridges when I get there, I have decided. Thanks for the replies!

 

[PJM]

=sckcd;5709567]RCIA went great! I really enjoyed it. We talked about the bible tonight and some introductory stuff. As for the things I am not sure of yet, I will cross those bridges when I get there, I have decided. Thanks for the replies!

Friend, your in our prayers and we stand by ready to address any issues that you may wish further clairfication on.

Love and prayers

 

[lilcavic79]

Hi, I went for my first RCIA class last night. I was very nervous about going as I did not know many there. The first night was all about meeting everyone and finding out the programme for the year ahead. Everyone was so kind and made fe feel welcome and I look forward to becoming Catholic.

 

[tonyk84]

My fiance went to her 1st RCIA class last night, I also went along to support her and a refresher for my self.

There was a little introduction and he explained how the RCIA started, and how it was before RCIA, then went for a look around the Church and he explained certain things to us.

The he put my fiance on the spot and asked what she wanted to know, so she said a basic understanding of everything, so he said the isn’t a basic understanding but just what she wanted to know? See we thought this would be some sort of weekly program, what would lead from week to week but obviously not? Anyway the topic went on to the bible, he said we will do something on it at our next meeting.

So my question is to you guys is, what are the most important things she should know and learn at 1st?

And then what should she progress to after that, then week by week?

We would be very grateful & appreciated it if someone could help us with this and set us out a little guide/programme so we can use at our classes

Thanks & God Bless.

Tony.

 

[PJM]

=tonyk84;5711792]My fiance went to her 1st RCIA class last night, I also went along to support her and a refresher for my self.

There was a little introduction and he explained how the RCIA started, and how it was before RCIA, then went for a look around the Church and he explained certain things to us.

The he put my fiance on the spot and asked what she wanted to know, so she said a basic understanding of everything, so he said the isn’t a basic understanding but just what she wanted to know? See we thought this would be some sort of weekly program, what would lead from week to week but obviously not? Anyway the topic went on to the bible, he said we will do something on it at our next meeting.

So my question is to you guys is, what are the most important things she should know and learn at 1st?

And then what should she progress to after that, then week by week?

We would be very grateful & appreciated it if someone could help us with this and set us out a little guide/programme so we can use at our classes

Thanks & God Bless.

Tony.

Hi Tony,

I hope that what you experienced gets a lot more structured in the weeks ahead?

Sadly RCIA programs vary greatly from parish to parish and Bishop to Bishop. There are other ways to supliment ones Catholic Education, this Forum certainly being one of them.

Give it another week and keep us posted, and I may have other specific suggestions for you.

Love and prayers,

Pat

 

[tonyk84]

Hi Tony,

I hope that what you experienced gets a lot more structured in the weeks ahead?

Sadly RCIA programs vary greatly from parish to parish and Bishop to Bishop. There are other ways to supliment ones Catholic Education, this Forum certainly being one of them.

Give it another week and keep us posted, and I may have other specific suggestions for you.

Love and prayers,

Pat

Hi Pat, thanks for the PM, I have replied.

 

[Alindawyl]

I also hope you get more structure once things get going. RCIA began at my parish on August 26, making last night the fourth week. The first week was just a brief overview by deacon and a chance for the catechists and inquirers to get to know each other. We passed out a CD containing the topic for each week of the program, with multiple PDF documents covering each topic. Plenty of Scripture and catechism references to dig into. We also gave everyone a Bible, along with the book Why Do Catholics Do That? by Kevin Johnson.

The only question that was really asked the first week was for everyone to briefly state why they were there. Basically what they hoped or expected to get out of the program. Mainly to let us find out where everyone was coming from and what expectations they may have.