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Kayla
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 369 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 12:59 pm |
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Now, I know there is the period of Mystagogy in the Church for those newly baptized. At my particular parish, that lasted one night. (I think perhaps the only downfall to our RCIA program, which is run extremely well.)
At any rate, Katelyn and myself (Katelyn: best friend, sponsor, dorm roommate here at college) went to the Campus Ministry Office to go see what exactly is available for us to participate in and what we may end up starting. While there, we officially met Fr. Rick, the chaplain, and consequently (through conversation that revealed I was a recent convert) the RCIA director at the school.
Both Fr. Rick and the RCIA director want me to sign up for RCIA, adding a not that I am a neophyte, so that... well, I'm not exactly sure what the "so that" constitutes. I guess they had about 12 people come into the Church through the program last year and maybe there's going to be activities or something. I'm not sure.
Are there any particulars that any of you might know of (like... there aren't any more official 'rites' to go through, correct?)? I'm thinking this is probably just something put into place for social and further learning/sharing purposes. I think it's cool though.
Last edited on Sat Aug 25th, 2007 02:17 pm by Kayla
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5457 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 01:53 pm |
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Kayla wrote: Now, I know there is the period of Mystalogy in the Church for those newly baptized. At my particular parish, that lasted one night. (I think perhaps the only downfall to our RCIA program, which is run extremely well.)
We tried several times to establish a program during Mystagogy but it never worked. Literally no one came. We did have a "pot luck" dinner a couple of times that was well attended, but they were purely social, a sort of a "reunion".
Technically, the neophyte period lasts for a year. There are no official rites or ceremonies, but in many parishes neophytes wear white garments which are removed ceremonially in Pentecost. They also sit together in the front pew where they sat prior to Easter, but they are not dismissed after the Creed. On Pentecost they are led to places in the congregation to join their families, sponsors, or others in the congregation. It is the last time they are given "special treatment". This is not an official rite, but I think it adds meaning to the period of Mystagogy and is a better "graduation" than the Easter Vigil, which should really just be part of the ongoing formation process. It's sort of like saying the marriage is over after the exchange of vows. Mystagogy should be the "honeymoon" phase of Church initiation.
____________________
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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BettyBoopToo
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 538 |
| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 06:11 pm |
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Kayla wrote: Now, I know there is the period of Mystagogy in the Church for those newly baptized. At my particular parish, that lasted one night. (I think perhaps the only downfall to our RCIA program, which is run extremely well.)
At any rate, Katelyn and myself (Katelyn: best friend, sponsor, dorm roommate here at college) went to the Campus Ministry Office to go see what exactly is available for us to participate in and what we may end up starting. While there, we officially met Fr. Rick, the chaplain, and consequently (through conversation that revealed I was a recent convert) the RCIA director at the school.
Both Fr. Rick and the RCIA director want me to sign up for RCIA, adding a not that I am a neophyte, so that... well, I'm not exactly sure what the "so that" constitutes. I guess they had about 12 people come into the Church through the program last year and maybe there's going to be activities or something. I'm not sure.
Are there any particulars that any of you might know of (like... there aren't any more official 'rites' to go through, correct?)? I'm thinking this is probably just something put into place for social and further learning/sharing purposes. I think it's cool though.
Ya know kayla
this was something that I had also felt was kind of lacking in the neophyte 1 yr period too. I had wanted to start some kind of group at the church to help out in this time for all the RCIA class grads. I had talked about it with some other members at the church too.
Unfortunately I got sick and was not able to continue. I did as was explained to you, go back and began attending the next session of RCIA, just to sit in and learn more and maybe reinforce what I had just learned in the previous year.
When the Legion of Mary started at the church, they were supposed to begin this program and follow the past years RCIA members and help them along. I think though they are all so busy with the home ministry for the elderly and sick that they are most likely spread to thin already.
After I became to ill to leave the house, my sister had bought a laptop for me to lay in bed and browse the internet. I had been praying for some way to continue my education and learning about the church. I had learned a great deal from RCIA, but I just felt is was so minor considering all the church has to teach. so through prayer and discernment, I came to the conclusion that I was going to get out on the internet and learn from the sites recomended on EWTN and then go monthly to Queen of Peace and purchase as many books that I could to study until the next month and then get some more.
If health would have allowed, I would still be attending the RCIA classes and the classes that father teaches called "Know your Catholic Faith". I think you really may enjoy another whak at the RCIA process and also, they may follow a different program than father and there is always room for anothers teaching method to improve on what you already know and to move on to more.
My RCIA class was the first one father taught when he first came to our parish. I don't think there was much offered in the way of teaching classes with the previous pastor and my class was filled with the elderly faces you see at daily mass right now. They all wanted to learn more so they joined the class and pariticipated just because they had not been offered learning opportunites in the recent past. I just remembered during introductions, one gentleman said his name and stated he was 86 yrs old and been a catholic all his life. Another lady was over 90 and been catholic her whole life. As I remember, they all had great contributions to the class discussions and I found their experience very helpful. I'm sure you could be helpful for their class also.
Let us know what you decide, I'd be interested.
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1479 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 06:54 pm |
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Kayla, if you attend the RCIA on campus you may have an opportunity to help others and thereby reinforce what you already know. You have already spotted a questionable communion during the first mass, so you have a chance to give input that maybe even the chaplain needs to hear. Just by attending you will be showing support. Just so long as you don't overextend yourself time-wise! 
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