Comments on: RCIA questions http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:58:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: LAWANDABRIGGS25 http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-24585 LAWANDABRIGGS25 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:44:36 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-24585 The <a href="http://bestfinance-blog.com/topics/business-loans" rel="nofollow">business loans</a> are essential for guys, which want to ground their organization. In fact, that's very comfortable to get a college loan. The business loans are essential for guys, which want to ground their organization. In fact, that’s very comfortable to get a college loan.

]]> By: Amber http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-664 Amber Wed, 23 Aug 2006 04:44:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-664 Just stumbled across your blog and wanted to say hello. I also will be taking RCIA this fall... and am on the journey into Catholicism from another Christian denomination.<br/><br/>I actually met with the RCIA Director and spoke with her for nearly two hours to explain my whole situation, including what brought me into the search that led me to Catholicism, and I'm STILL not sure how it will all work out.<br/><br/>I'm just hoping they understand what needs to be done for me before next Easter! :) Just stumbled across your blog and wanted to say hello. I also will be taking RCIA this fall… and am on the journey into Catholicism from another Christian denomination.

I actually met with the RCIA Director and spoke with her for nearly two hours to explain my whole situation, including what brought me into the search that led me to Catholicism, and I’m STILL not sure how it will all work out.

I’m just hoping they understand what needs to be done for me before next Easter! :)

]]> By: Jim McCullough http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-629 Jim McCullough Sat, 19 Aug 2006 20:39:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-629 Jen--Two things the director will need to clarify with you: baptism situation and marriage situation for both you and your husband. On the first, you fit into the category "baptized (Catholic) but uncatechized" that is, you were never taught nor raised in the faith. In our parish, such people join the RCIA as "Candidates for Full Communion with the Catholic Church" and we ask the diocese for permission to Confirm you at the Easter Vigil. Your husband, baptized as a Protestant, would also be a "Candidate." Our parish accepts a witness's account of the baptism if his old church does not have records, or even his own testimony if he was baptized at an old enough age. Your program may vary on this and may prefer to conditionally baptize.<br/> On marriage: the Catholic Church regards as valid, sacramental marriages many unions that people outside the Church believes she does not. For instance, marriages between baptized Protestants are considered valid unless it can be shown otherwise. If either you or your husband was ever married to anyone else, baptized or not, performed in any manner, for even a minute--the director needs to know this. Assuming this is the first and only for both of you, you will, since you are already baptized as a Catholic, need to have your marriage "convalidated," a fairly simple process.<br/> All the best as you begin this wonderful pilgrimage. And patience, pilgrim, the journey itself is a walk with God in the company of His friends. Jen–Two things the director will need to clarify with you: baptism situation and marriage situation for both you and your husband. On the first, you fit into the category “baptized (Catholic) but uncatechized” that is, you were never taught nor raised in the faith. In our parish, such people join the RCIA as “Candidates for Full Communion with the Catholic Church” and we ask the diocese for permission to Confirm you at the Easter Vigil. Your husband, baptized as a Protestant, would also be a “Candidate.” Our parish accepts a witness’s account of the baptism if his old church does not have records, or even his own testimony if he was baptized at an old enough age. Your program may vary on this and may prefer to conditionally baptize.
On marriage: the Catholic Church regards as valid, sacramental marriages many unions that people outside the Church believes she does not. For instance, marriages between baptized Protestants are considered valid unless it can be shown otherwise. If either you or your husband was ever married to anyone else, baptized or not, performed in any manner, for even a minute–the director needs to know this. Assuming this is the first and only for both of you, you will, since you are already baptized as a Catholic, need to have your marriage “convalidated,” a fairly simple process.
All the best as you begin this wonderful pilgrimage. And patience, pilgrim, the journey itself is a walk with God in the company of His friends.

]]> By: Tim http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-626 Tim Sat, 19 Aug 2006 03:21:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-626 I went throught RCIA two years ago. I now volunteer for our RCIA classes. <br/>I also think it would be best to wait to participate in the sacraments. You need confirmation and first communion which, as I'm sure you already know, you will receive during Easter Vigil mass.<br/>Jen, you are a joy to behold as you grow in the Faith! I went throught RCIA two years ago. I now volunteer for our RCIA classes.
I also think it would be best to wait to participate in the sacraments. You need confirmation and first communion which, as I’m sure you already know, you will receive during Easter Vigil mass.
Jen, you are a joy to behold as you grow in the Faith!

]]> By: maggie http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-623 maggie Fri, 18 Aug 2006 21:58:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-623 Wow, that's a lot of advice. Congratulations Jen! I'm excited to read about your journey. Wow, that’s a lot of advice. Congratulations Jen! I’m excited to read about your journey.

]]> By: SteveG http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-622 SteveG Fri, 18 Aug 2006 19:45:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-622 <i>steveg said: As I reflect on it, I can't really think of a good reason to wait for confession either. </i><br/><br/>Jen, sorry to be so wishy washy on this. In regard to confession, I said there was no good reason to wait, but that's because in fact, I didn't reflect on it enough.<br/><br/>There indeed is a good reason, and of course AdoreTeDevote gave it. I cast my lot (for what it's worth) with her wise advice. steveg said: As I reflect on it, I can’t really think of a good reason to wait for confession either.

Jen, sorry to be so wishy washy on this. In regard to confession, I said there was no good reason to wait, but that’s because in fact, I didn’t reflect on it enough.

There indeed is a good reason, and of course AdoreTeDevote gave it. I cast my lot (for what it’s worth) with her wise advice.

]]> By: ferryg http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-621 ferryg Fri, 18 Aug 2006 17:07:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-621 I concur. I am a Catholic convert myself. Having not been baptized at all, at the Easter Vigil I received the three sacraments of initiation into the church. Baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. Since you and your husband have already been baptized, you will only receive the other two. However, prior to receiving communion at the vigil, you will probably be required to make your first confession.<br/><br/>As far as the class goes...I agree with everyone here. It is different at every parish. Personally, I really like our priest and he taught the class himself. This does not happen at every parish.<br/><br/>You basically are taught the core principles of the Catholic faith. You are going to need to do A LOT of memorizing and gain an understanding of gestures and actions during Mass.<br/><br/>There are also several rites that will occur during RCIA. You will be involved in the rite of acceptance, the rite of election, the scrutinies, etc. It's really not that bad. The rite of election was very nice for me. Everyone in the Diocese currently in the RCIA program and goes to a ceremony where the presiding Bishop will welcome you. You will also sign your name into a book pledging that you are doing this because you want to and will accept all of the doctrine of the church. I really enjoyed that. The scrutinies are also pretty interesting. Basically...for three consecutive weeks...your priest will bring you in front of the congregating and save several prayers while he places his hands on you. It's basically just a show...but it's intent is to exorcise all the bad things from you in order for you to be initiated at Easter.<br/><br/>Hope that helps. If you really have NO idea what you are getting into...I would suggest several books. What I thought was a very good starter book was Catholocism for Dummies. It actually does a pretty good job touching on MANY, MANY topics and things you will encounter. I concur. I am a Catholic convert myself. Having not been baptized at all, at the Easter Vigil I received the three sacraments of initiation into the church. Baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. Since you and your husband have already been baptized, you will only receive the other two. However, prior to receiving communion at the vigil, you will probably be required to make your first confession.

As far as the class goes…I agree with everyone here. It is different at every parish. Personally, I really like our priest and he taught the class himself. This does not happen at every parish.

You basically are taught the core principles of the Catholic faith. You are going to need to do A LOT of memorizing and gain an understanding of gestures and actions during Mass.

There are also several rites that will occur during RCIA. You will be involved in the rite of acceptance, the rite of election, the scrutinies, etc. It’s really not that bad. The rite of election was very nice for me. Everyone in the Diocese currently in the RCIA program and goes to a ceremony where the presiding Bishop will welcome you. You will also sign your name into a book pledging that you are doing this because you want to and will accept all of the doctrine of the church. I really enjoyed that. The scrutinies are also pretty interesting. Basically…for three consecutive weeks…your priest will bring you in front of the congregating and save several prayers while he places his hands on you. It’s basically just a show…but it’s intent is to exorcise all the bad things from you in order for you to be initiated at Easter.

Hope that helps. If you really have NO idea what you are getting into…I would suggest several books. What I thought was a very good starter book was Catholocism for Dummies. It actually does a pretty good job touching on MANY, MANY topics and things you will encounter.

]]> By: Tracy http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-620 Tracy Fri, 18 Aug 2006 04:29:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-620 Jen it is after midnight and I simply could not go to bed until I had back read all of the achives (even TRA) and most of the comments up until now. I will be a regular reader now that I am caught up. So much I could say but I will just say 'thanks' for laying this all out here in blog world. I hope to get to know you and to become friends. Yuck that sounds so cheesy, but hey it's honest! God Bless you. Jen it is after midnight and I simply could not go to bed until I had back read all of the achives (even TRA) and most of the comments up until now. I will be a regular reader now that I am caught up. So much I could say but I will just say ‘thanks’ for laying this all out here in blog world. I hope to get to know you and to become friends. Yuck that sounds so cheesy, but hey it’s honest! God Bless you.

]]> By: Adoro Te Devote http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-619 Adoro Te Devote Fri, 18 Aug 2006 01:05:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-619 Some people have said not to wait to go to Confession and Communion, but I beg to differ. <br/><br/>The general process is for one to be FORMED in understanding of the sacraments before recieving them. I'm sure you are actually more knowledgable than many, but it is important to be humble, go through the process, and to be obedient. The time period until you are able to recieve the sacraments will strengthen you and help you to grow in holiness, and hopefully give you an even greater appreciation for what they mean. <br/><br/>There are many RCIA programs out there, unfortunately not standarized or even organized. I pray that your parish, in spite of the apparent confusion of the RCIA director, will end up being solid. <br/><br/>Have you ever visited the forums at Catholic Answers? You can often find some good advice there as well. (And sometimes not- be discerning) <br/><br/>www.catholic.com Some people have said not to wait to go to Confession and Communion, but I beg to differ.

The general process is for one to be FORMED in understanding of the sacraments before recieving them. I’m sure you are actually more knowledgable than many, but it is important to be humble, go through the process, and to be obedient. The time period until you are able to recieve the sacraments will strengthen you and help you to grow in holiness, and hopefully give you an even greater appreciation for what they mean.

There are many RCIA programs out there, unfortunately not standarized or even organized. I pray that your parish, in spite of the apparent confusion of the RCIA director, will end up being solid.

Have you ever visited the forums at Catholic Answers? You can often find some good advice there as well. (And sometimes not- be discerning)

http://www.catholic.com

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/08/rcia-questions.html/comment-page-1#comment-617 Jennifer Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:39:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2006/08/rcia-questions.html#comment-617 There is a book called the Catholic Source Book by Peter Klein, it may help you. An RCIA director I used to know would buy them for her class. <br/><br/>I wouldn't rush any Sacrament, even though you are ahead of most Catholics in your understanding.<br/><br/>There are 7 Sacraments:<br/>1. Baptism - cleanses us of Original Sin<br/>2. Reconciliation - cleanses us of our mortal (& venial) sins <br/>3. 1st Communion (Eucharist)- receiving Christ<br/>4. Confirmation - receiving the Holy Spirit<br/>5. Matrimony<br/>6. Holy Orders - makes a man a Priest<br/>7. Anointing of the Sick - healing<br/><br/>I hope that helps. Honestly, he might understand better if you told him you were raised an Atheist (not sure if you did). There is a book called the Catholic Source Book by Peter Klein, it may help you. An RCIA director I used to know would buy them for her class.

I wouldn’t rush any Sacrament, even though you are ahead of most Catholics in your understanding.

There are 7 Sacraments:
1. Baptism – cleanses us of Original Sin
2. Reconciliation – cleanses us of our mortal (& venial) sins
3. 1st Communion (Eucharist)- receiving Christ
4. Confirmation – receiving the Holy Spirit
5. Matrimony
6. Holy Orders – makes a man a Priest
7. Anointing of the Sick – healing

I hope that helps. Honestly, he might understand better if you told him you were raised an Atheist (not sure if you did).

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