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Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 12:07 am |
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Hello Again,
Today I left a message with the man who teaches RCIA classes in a parish not far from my home. I was told by the secretary that answered the phone that classes had already started in September. I asked her if they ever allow people to start classes after they have begun. I was asking for my sake and let her know that I was interested in attending RCIA classes at this time. She said she had never heard of anyone starting so late afterward. Is this always the case or are there ever exceptions? Or does it depend upon the protocol in each parish?
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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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: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 12:44 am |
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Darlene wrote: Hello Again,
Today I left a message with the man who teaches RCIA classes in a parish not far from my home. I was told by the secretary that answered the phone that classes had already started in September. I asked her if they ever allow people to start classes after they have begun. I was asking for my sake and let her know that I was interested in attending RCIA classes at this time. She said she had never heard of anyone starting so late afterward. Is this always the case or are there ever exceptions? Or does it depend upon the protocol in each parish?
Darlene
It is not normal to start this late in the process. However, it all depends on the determination of the pastor or his designee. There is also the option of separate classes and welcoming into the church at a different time after the Easter Vigil, but staff considerations at the parish level might make this impossible.
I would recommend patience. Meet with the RCIA team and the pastor, and make a proper discernment. Begin to attend mass and other Catholic devotions, and be certain that this is where God is calling you. Don't rush to join. God knows the intentions of your heart and will guide you. I understand your strong desire to unite yourself to the Church and receive Eucharist, but you've had so many questions that I think it would not hurt you to continue to examine what's truly in your heart before making a final decision. Then, in September, you'll be certain of your intentions and won't have to rush through the process.
Also, RCIA gatherings are often quite intimate, and the introduction of a stranger this late in the process can stifle the entire group. They have become comfortable with each other in sharing their thoughts, desires, and problems, and might not be comfortable doing so in the presence of an unknown. There might also be some resentment on their part that you were allowed to shorten the process while they had to attend from the beginning. In truth, you would be the one who was shortchanged, not them.
So unless the parish has multiple groups beginning at different times of the year, or has the resources to offer private sessions, it's best that you wait to begin according to the parish timetable.
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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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Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 01:01 am |
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Cajunrick,
Thanks for your suggestions and all of your input. I appreciate it.
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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Ruthie
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houston, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 99 |
| First Name: | Ruthie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nominal Presbyterian, aetheist, evangelical Christian/Episcopalian, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 01:56 am |
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May I weigh in here? I would just like to add how things went for me.
I too inquired about RCIA classes long after they had already started. I was allowed to attend immediately, with the understanding that I would have to take the complete course over again the next year before I could enter the Church. I was so glad to be able to do this because I was so eager to learn and I was so grateful that I didn't have to put it off for so many months.
So, Darlene, perhaps you might want to consider this option. But of course it depends completely on how this Parish does things.
But then that was back in 1988 in Reno, Nevada. I think Rick said once that things were not quite in order back then as far as RCIA was concerned. So maybe things are quite different now with more predictable and orderly guidelines.
Anyway, I'm excited to hear that you're interested in starting RCIA. It will be a great chance to ask all those questions.
Ruthie
Last edited on Wed Dec 20th, 2006 01:56 am by Ruthie
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Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. (NRSV, Luke 18:17)
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GoFisher
Member
| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 03:48 pm |
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Darlene and Ruthie,
What type of initiation you complete depends on your religious background and studies in theology, and the diocese (1,2 or 3 yrs). It used to be a three-year process for everyone. Now, it depends on your background, and can be done in as little as from Sept to May (including Rite of Election after Ash Wednesday, and confirmation and communion at the Easter Vigil).
Even though I have a Master of Divinity, studied Catholic theology in school and privately, had sung in Catholic choirs for eight years, and had been to confession, I was not allowed to begin RCIA late, but waited until the start of the year in Sept.
When I had a bunch of questions for the priest, (due to time constraints) we decided to hold the RCIA type questions until the next class began. I still want to learn more, so got the 3,000-paged COMPANION to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) which has the background documents used for doctrines in the CCC.
You don't want to miss out on the prayers of blessings that come at various points during RCIA when the priest prays for you after the homily and sends you to class.
I attend several "mainline" denominations and charismatic Word of Faith churches. I thought I was going to be a methodist pastor, but changed during seminary to a charismatic group, and worked at independent churches.
From March to September 2005, I studied on my own. I began the class overseas in September 2005, and transferred to a class in the U.S. in November.
It is extremely RARE for anyone to take RCIA in two countries in one year, as I did.
A couple weeks ago, a former Episcopalian (in a version of the group that is nearly in communion with The Catholic Church) who had studied privately with the priest got confirmed all by himself without having to wait until the Easter Vigil.
There is also a man in the RCIA class again this year who was in the class all the way until February last year. He had to wait to settle some annulment issues with his former marriage.
____________________
Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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GoFisher
Member
| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 03:53 pm |
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Also, you should read a Catholic Bible (and the footnotes), such as The New American Bible online:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_INDEX.HTM
Credits
Printed sourceUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000
November 11, 2002 Copyright (c) by United States Conference of Catholic BishopsSource of the electronic transcriptionUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops - http://www.nccbuscc.org/ETML taggingIntraText editorial staff
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Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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AggieCatholic
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 82 |
| First Name: | Lance | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Methodist to Roman Catholic (Anglican Use) |
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 06:02 pm |
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| The atmosphere within the parish for converts also makes a difference. Most parishes rely on the Easter Vigil as THE entry date of all converts. But, because of the transitional nature of college, many university parishes and Catholic students centers will have multiple entry dates. St. Mary's Catholic Center in College Station, TX has 3 per year (to coincide with the spring, summer and fall semesters) with 2 separate levels of RCIA, one called the new group, the other called the old group. The bishop usually can't preside himself at all three of these dates during the year, but it only takes his authority to the local priest in the form of a letter for the initiation mass to take place.
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What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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GoFisher
Member
| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Thu Dec 21st, 2006 12:31 am |
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That's interesting. That reminds me of the two bridges in Paris, one called the old bridge and one called the new bridge. Hilarious! and then that reminds me that I went to Mass at the Cathedral du Notre Dame in Paris in 1982, and sang one or two songs there (no visible audience then) with my choir on tour in 1984.
JOYEUX NOEL! I wish I had known what The Eucharist and The Blessed Sacrament were when I visited Sacre Coeur at Montmartre. This was built on the site of the group martyrdom of many French saints.
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Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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Br. Rich SFO
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 27 |
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Posted: Sat Dec 23rd, 2006 10:56 am |
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People who inquire should be able to start "Inquiry" at any time. They should be assigned a Sponsor within a few weeks of starting Inquiry. The Rite of Welcome and the Rite of Acceptance should take place 2 or 3 time a year. However everyone must remember that if you are not Baptized and will become a Catechumen you would NOT enter the Church Easter Vigil 2007 but Easter Vigil 2008. Just so that there are no surprises.
If you are already validly Baptized and would become a Candidate. Being Received into full union with the Church in the Easter season or Pentecost would not be unreasonable.Last edited on Sat Dec 23rd, 2006 10:58 am by Br. Rich SFO
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