Rcia

[twf]

Homeschoolmom: I'd rather not go without either (the Bible and the CCC)...

[homeschoolmom]

I just meant that we already had a CCC and, while we already had bibles, they were of the Protestant variety. So, now I am in the market for a new one... But picking out a CCC would have been much less of a challenge than trying to decide on a new bible. I didn't spend this much time picking out my last new car!!!

[Sojourner]

[quote name='dramaqueen' date='Apr 17 2004, 01:09 AM'] You know, I am very greatful for this section and this topic. I have had a good experience because the people involved were very sincere.

... I came from a Fundamentalis background and so I had to learn for myself what it meant to be Catholic and why the beliefs I htouht I held were not correct. I have been a Christian for many years, but hth whole point of RCIA was that I wanted to learn how to be a CATHOLIC.

...I think that in order to avoid a lot of tough questions, they "soften" the message. In my opinion, it is detrimental. If you do not address the true belifes then you are not making real Catholics-rather just Christians. [/quote]
Dramaqueen,
I think you've beautifully explained exactly what was true for me in my RCIA class ... a lot of feel-good stuff, but not much real doctrine. I think it assumed too much base knowledge on the part of the participants.

If I had not done my own reading and study for months before I decided to become Catholic, not only would I have been largely uninformed about the real teachings of the church at the end of my RCIA experience, but I am sure I would have had some really faulty understandings about church teachings as well.

I think it is detrimental, and is something that needs to be addressed in some way. I'm just not quite sure how.

Edited May 17, 2004 by Sojourner

[Mr. Cube]

My RCIA class is still going on at St. Patrick's in Yorkville, IL, and
is taught by Sr. Kathryn, a Franciscan who is teaching us the basics
of the Catholic faith. I hear Sr. Kathryn is very traditional, but
she's really a faithful Catholic. The first day of class, she
announced, "I'm Sr. Kathryn, your RCIA teacher. I'm here to tell you
the truth about the Catholic Church." I have no reason to doubt her.

There are about 15 people in my RCIA class, but I don't really know
them, because St. Patrick's isn't my home parish. I'm taking classes
there, because of the class schedule, not because of any problems with
my home parish, St. Paul's in Sandwich.

Sr. Kathryn invited a few guest speakers, and most were very good. I
wish I remembered their names. One talked about the resurrection of
Lazarus, another about morality (someone should have given me that
talk about 10 years ago), and Sr. Barbara talked about the Beatitudes,
and the Last Things. One day the married members of the RCIA team
brought their spouses, and talked about their marriages.

The only problem I have with my RCIA class is that Sr. Kathryn should
refer more to the Bible and Catechism, and not hand out so many
pamphlets.

[Quietfire]

I have to check out RCIA. Exactly what does it stand for?
What should I ask when going to the parish to sign up for class?

I wish to learn properly. Nothing too liberal. But are there any warning signals or red flags to watch out for?
I know it sounds bad, but I think sometimes it sounds as if Catholics take for granted this gift (being Catholic)
This (Phatmass) is the FIRST Catholic ...anything, where I see people who are actually into their Catholic faith.

I mean, my family is Catholic, with the exception of my mom (Baptist) and my sis who converted to Episcopalian. I'm not sure what she believes in now. And my husband is Catholic.
But my family is lukewarm. And that is how all the other Catholics I know are. I work with a woman who is Catholic, and I ask her questions(even simple ones about her parish) and she just shrugs.
Another girl I work with was telling me that a local parish, when giving the envelopes for tithing, will not give them out unless there is at least fifty dollars per week in it. I asked her if she was certain about that, since she herself isnt Catholic. She said it's what she heard. I checked with someone who goes to that parish and their answer..a shrug. Then you wonder why people are so mislead. Its aggravating.

So it important to ME, that I understand perfectly what I am going to be taught. No carp. I want doctrine, I want tradition and Tradition...and honestly...no Ophra videos.

Peace.

Edited May 24, 2004 by Quietfire

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Apr 14 2004, 12:06 PM'] Whatever, PedroX. You know it's the red-haired parishioners who are the best.

[/quote]
that's right!

[Lil Red]

Quietfire, RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Intiation for Adults.

[Ellenita]

Quietfire, I found my RCIA classes very gentle and I most certainly learnt from them. I also really appreciated being part of a group - we were quite small in number and it was most wonderful to stand at the Easter Vigil with people that I had got to know over the weeks. Some of them have become very good friends.

Within the group people were at very different points on their spiritual journey - I was probably the most knowledgable about the bible for example, because I had been involved with protestant churches for many years, whereas one of the group had only just begun to learn about Christianity - he was baptised at the Easter Vigil. At the start of the classes he didn't know there were four gospels.

For me, during this period, PhatMass was also really important and supplemented the classes. I felt I could ask people here anything I didn't understand and explore at a deeper level than the classes might allow because of the limit of time and respecting the fact that people were at different stages. There is wonderful teaching going on here, some great references for more research and reading, and also people were very generous with their time if I emailed them to ask something. Don't be afraid to do that will you?

[Quietfire]

Posted by Ellenita
[quote]Don't be afraid to do that will you?[/quote]

Have no fear...I am NOT afraid of asking questions!

I'm not even afraid of making an idiot of myself, if it means I grow closer to God through Christ.

Thanks for the input Lil Red, that's what I thought, but just wanted to make sure.


Peace to all.

[Ellenita]

Quietfire,

** HUGS **

It is a real privilege to see your deepening faith and love for the church.....

[Archaeology cat]

So, I'm on the phone list for the RCIA program at a local church, but I'm a little confused. I've read some things saying that people who are already baptized shouldn't join at the Easter Vigil, but at another time. Does that mean they don't follow the RCIA schedule, or does it vary from parish to parish? All I want is to be a part of the Catholic Church, so I'd like to be un-confused about what I'm supposed to do, or if I'm doing everything right so far. Thanks!

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='shinobininjasp' date='May 27 2004, 07:32 AM'] So, I'm on the phone list for the RCIA program at a local church, but I'm a little confused. I've read some things saying that people who are already baptized shouldn't join at the Easter Vigil, but at another time. Does that mean they don't follow the RCIA schedule, or does it vary from parish to parish? All I want is to be a part of the Catholic Church, so I'd like to be un-confused about what I'm supposed to do, or if I'm doing everything right so far. Thanks! [/quote]
You and all the other converts! (which aren't technically "converts" but rather those who have reconciled)... it's all very confusing. Technically, no, only converts are supposed to go through RCIA and be received at the Easter Vigil. I am guessing... and this is merely a guess... that most parish lump all newbies together for a couple of reasons:

1. Most converts come from at least a nominal Christian background and are [i]probably[/i] baptized. Ie very few true converts to Christianity.

2. Many people have a misserable understanding of Christianity anyway, so better to educate everyone.

3. It's too expensive to run two programs.

(someone will say "4. most parishes are woefully lax on following the rules")

We were told that we could be received outside of Easter Vigil, but we were received with everyone else. I hope that you have a good RCIA program. It varies radically. With all the emphasis on universality, you'd think they'd have a uniform curriculum... ala no child left behind...

[Archaeology cat]

Thanks for the info. I don't know a lot about this particular RCIA program yet, so I'm planning on meeting with the people in charge to get more information and everything. I've been brought up with a very strong Christian background, and have been exposed to Catholicism throughout my life due to my Catholic cousins. So in a way, I don't know that I need all the classes, but I certainly need to be have some better education to make sure I truly know what's going on. Thanks again! I love having a place where I can ask these questions

[homeschoolmom]

As you can gleen from reading this thread, RCIA programs vary widely. Ours was excellant. I wish everyone could have such a great experience-- orthodox, charitible, interesting, friendly, helpful... etc. I hope yours is good as well... Many of us come from strong Christian backgrounds... so feel free to ask whatever's on your mind.

[DojoGrant]

My first year of RCIA was a little bit iffy. The director of it once told me in private conversation that the Church didn't teach indulgences anymore since Vatican II (to calm my Lutheran fears at the time). That irked me when I found it that is not the case. She was removed, though, by our priest, and two recent converts moved into the leadership position and it has been great the last two years they have been doing it.

It's very orthodox in its teaching, except for a few bumps here and there, but I always chime in to get it back on track. I say they definitely need to work on explaining purgatory better, though. I will be on the team this year, though, and their sending me to Orlando for a week of training at a big conference, so I'm looking forward to that.

I don't know if its done the same every where, but we usually have two or so presenters of various topics and then small group discussion and then we come back together and share our thoughts. It's very dynamic and interactive and they encorporate teaching with life in the Church very well. We have about 20 or so Catechumens/Candidates each year.