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susiedear
Member
| Joined: | Thu Oct 12th, 2006 |
| Location: | Twin Cities, Minnesota USA |
| Posts: | 186 |
| First Name: | Elizabeth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Pentecostal / Evangelical / Catholic! |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 08:00 am |
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Hello, all. I've been reading the RCIA forum for some time and have come to the conclusion that I may have missed out on something good. Instead of a traditional RCIA program, my parish offers a class called Fundamentals of Catholicism, which is quite good, but it is only 12 weeks long. It is open to the entire parish, and only a handful of us are there in preparation for being received. The concerns and questions by those entering are not specifically addressed.
A few weeks ago I approached my parish priest, who is a holy and orthodox man, and asked him if I was in the right class in the wrong time because nothing had been said about what is required to enter. I also mentioned that I read this forum and had read about different rites, being sponsored, etc., that have not been a part of the class. His reply: "We don't do that." He took down my name and phone number and at the end of class that night he recorded the names of others, but nothing has been said beyond that.
I would have loved to have a sponsor because I am entering the Catholic Church without the support I think a sponsor would give. I know that I am to make my first confession, so I went ahead and scheduled it with a different priest (who is the weekend associate) because my pastor is very difficult to reach. In essence, it feels as though I am guiding myself into entry, and that concerns me because what if I mess up?
I am thankful for this forum because it is a safe place to ask honest questions. Have any of you heard of a program like the one I described? Were you able to enter the Church without hitting a speedbump along the way? I'd love to hear your perspectives. Thanks!
Elizabeth
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But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. St. Augustine
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Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 660 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 09:26 am |
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I have felt like that, too. Sort of on my own and guiding myself. I did RCIA last year, and it was mainly a discussion group and what Catholics believe. I didn't go deeper into anything. No theology, or rites, or anything. We didn't even have a pastor or priest who taught it. I did enjoy the fellowship, and the discussions, but hearing about other people's experiences from here and from our sister parrish a town away, makes me feel a wee bit jealous  But I also understand my situation is different from other people's, due to our marriage my dh's annullment from his previous wife.
IRT speedbumps, I've been hesitant to get my hopes up, or to be to excited about anything until I know for sure it is going to happen. LOL One step at a time, and the way the Church views time, it's taking a while 
As it is, I will be coming into the church sometime this summer, and I will have to have a sponsor at that time. Are you saying you won't have one at all?
Ali
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5157 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 09:41 am |
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No, this is not normal. My RCIA classes have always been open to anyone who wishes to attend, but the focus is always on catechumens first, candidates for full communion second, and adult candidates for confirmation third. We are a small parish, and don't have enough resources to separate the programs, but the emphasis is always on the RCIA. Our program begins in late August/early September, and continues past the Easter Vigil.
Unfortunately, the bishop and pastor have much flexibility in how (or even whether) they want to implement RCIA. It is the normal procedure by which new adult members are brought into the Church, and it is my opinion that it is well worth the effort. Also unfortunately, I feel that you have indeed been shortchanged.
But I wouldn't be concerned about "messing up". Leave it in God's hands, and you'll do fine. Look at the quote in my signature. What matters first is that you have faith, and second is that you receive the Sacraments. God will take care of the rest.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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susiedear
Member
| Joined: | Thu Oct 12th, 2006 |
| Location: | Twin Cities, Minnesota USA |
| Posts: | 186 |
| First Name: | Elizabeth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Pentecostal / Evangelical / Catholic! |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 11:12 am |
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Thank you both for your sympathetic responses. Ali, to answer your question, no, I will not have a sponsor, which saddens me. That's why I am especially grateful for this forum because it has been an unbelievable help! Rick, I have been paying special attention to your signature because it is so affirming. Thank you for your constant words of encouragement. Yes, I will press on in faith, eagerly awaiting the day of my confirmation.
Elizabeth
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But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. St. Augustine
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kimdyuma
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 785 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 11:45 am |
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You have been shortchanged -but there is a very good homestudy course on the net- http://www.catholichomestudy.org I m going through it by myself mainly because I am a book kind of person. I have the opposite issue in RCIA Mine started in Sept. but I joined in February- because of my Anglican background, reading and studiyng I have done( also reading this forum) I find that quite a few of the classes are too nuts and bolts for me- I realize though that it is just me and I am content to jump through the RCIA hoop being great full That I will be allowed in with the shorter RCIA attendance rather than holding me over till next Easter. For instance this week we were talking about Holy week ( which will be a nightmare of scheduling for me this year) and I am the only one in the class who has ever "done the Lent thing", and attended Holy week services- i was explaining to the women beside me just what palm Sunday entailed, and the palm crosses etc. and how the ashes for next year's ash Wednesday come out of this year's palms in many churches...
NOTE: Edited to fix hyperlink.
Last edited on Tue Mar 27th, 2007 04:31 pm by
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Adopt from your local Humane Society- Please spay or neuter your pets
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RSWinCO
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Colorado USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | RS | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | LCMS > ELCA > Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 04:22 pm |
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Kim,
The link you provided is to a page where a username and password are required to enter. Is there an administrative or information page for the course?
Thanks
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"Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt." John Henry Cardinal Newman
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5157 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Mar 27th, 2007 04:32 pm |
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RSWinCO wrote: The link you provided is to a page where a username and password are required to enter. Is there an administrative or information page for the course?
Try this page instead: http://www.amm.org/chss.htm
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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