RCIA
I keep waiting for one of my commenters to finally tire of my ramblings and just write, "Maybe you should get into an RCIA class instead of pestering us with all these elementary level Catholicism questions!"
For those of you who might be wondering why I talk so much about how strongly I'm drawn to the Catholic church yet I haven't mentioned anything about starting RCIA, I can explain:
Unfortunately, it looks like I've got a loooong wait before I'm officially Catholic. (It might be for the best anyway since I'd feel weird about becoming Catholic when I'm not even totally sure if I believe in God at this point.) Evidently there was one guy at my church who was the heart and soul of the RCIA and other new member programs, and he recently had to move out of state for his wife's job. So the organization is reeling right now, everybody working overtime to take over his workload and try to figure out how to replace him. They are not currently offering new RCIA classes and can't even give me an answer about when they will start offering the classes again since they haven't found a replacement for him yet.
We've been toying with the idea of just doing RCIA at another parish but have decided against it. We want to get to know people at this church, and I don't particularly like any of the other churches around here. So it'll at least be a few more months until I get that ball rolling.
So, in the meantime, I appreciate my readers allowing me to use this blog as my Catholicism/God 101 class.
posted by Jennifer @ Conversion Diary @ 12:58 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Jennifer,
Don't worry. Don't go to another church. A part of RCIA is creating community. To be baptized and confirmed before a congregation that is to become a family to you is an experience you should not skip. If this is your church then you should go through the program there. When the time is right God will make all pathways clear. He is probably making sure the right person to teach you will be waiting for you.
I don't think you'd ever hear such a comment from anyone whose been hanging out here. :-D
Honestly, for many of us, this has been a wonderful opportunity to share the faith and is a joy and a delight (and a healthy challenge as well).
I think Amy's advice is correct that you should stick with your parish and it's RCIA classes. First, because of the reasons both you and she mention. Second, because if the parish is as wonderful as you've indicated, even an RCIA class in a state of transition would likely be far better here than what you'd get at many other 'less orthodox' parishes.
Unfortunately it's the case that the RCIA experience is not uniformely good in many parishes, and personally I'd not want to take a chance of a bad experience when you have this wonderful parish you've already begun to connect to.
Please, please, please keep using the blog as your 101 class. I think it's been a wonderful experience for all of us.
Doign RCIA in community with the parish that became our home was an integral aspect of our journey from Protestant {minister} to a full Catholic faith. With the emphasis the Catholic Church has on being the body of Christ you are just plain smart to do exactly as you have said. Peace be with you.
Well, it looks like everyone agrees with your decision, J, and I have to say that you need to follow your own heart. But I don't necessarily agree with everyone else. I think you should go to RCIA wherever you can find a decent program. There happens to be (for the most part) a phenomenal program at the Cathedral in your city. It may be too far away for you though. You seem to belong to a church with a strong community that has the same values as your family. That may be enough to provide you with community while you attend classes elsewhere.
I am confused about your actual status as regards full communion with the Catholic church. You claim in your introduction to be a former atheist who is now a Catholic who attends Mass joining it at Easter vigil. Later in this thread you state..."Unfortunately, it looks like I've got a loooong wait before I'm officially Catholic. (It might be for the best anyway since I'd feel weird about becoming Catholic when I'm not even totally sure if I believe in God at this point.)maybe this post was created before your introduction thread? Anyway, if you have (entered into full communion with the church at Easter Vigil) you are "officially Catholic" and unless you were to go through the extremely lenghty and elaborite process of "officially renouncing your faith" you will always remain one (a Catholic) even if you were not " totally sure if [you] believe in God at this point.
As to an R.C.I.A. program, I'm also confused as to how you were able to enter the church without going through that process first? My understanding is that would be the norm.
Finally if no R.C.I.A. program is available at your parish (also confusing to me, but may be an indication of the need of more lay faithful to answer the call to stewardship of the faith in catechesis) may I suggest getting involved in the ministry of teaching catechism. There very well may be a need, (there usually is)and it is a great way to learn the faith. You might want to ask to be an assistant and start with youngsters maybe grade 1 or 2. Lessons are prepared for you, all you need to do is relay the information as best you can (always adhering to the objective precepts of the magisterium of course). By preparing your lesson you yourself learn something everytime. My knowledge and acceptance of the faith has grown exponentially in my 15 yrs. involved in this ministry. Studying the scriptures, the catechism and Aquinas today to prepare myself for R.C.I.A. tonight, I learned many things about the eucharist I'd never before considered. Long post but I hope it helps. Peace and blessings to you and all who read this and Merry Christmas too
Peace; Jacques
Jen,
As someone who first heard your story when Pat Madrid linked you on facebook, it is so cool to go back in time and read about your conversion! It has to be amazing for you--you have your journey on record. We all have those moments in time when we DO encounter God and our faith skyrockets for a few days...and then it's back to the grind. This just must be a blessing that you can go back and read what you were feeling/thinking through the conversion process. God Bless!
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