Tonight was the first night of RCIA. I got there, and there were about 11 or 12 others in the room taking the class, as well. All of them besides myself had come from denominations and backgrounds other than Catholicism... but we all had one thing in common: wanting to learn more about the church, and to start the process of growing in our faith.
It was interesting. Really great. A lot of background that I knew, a lot of the usual 'first day FAQ' business to get through... but I was also VERY encouraged because I could see that the course was designed to bring people closer to God while understanding their faith, and what the history of the Church and the Sacraments meant to them. I am VERY thankful I'm getting the chance to go through this program.
That being said... I was baptized as a Catholic. I made my first communion. I did not make my first confession, but I did choose to make my confirmation. It was a couple years after that point that I stopped attending a Catholic church. It's been about 10 years... and it's time to come home.
Tonight, I had an excellent talk with the priest. We talked for about 20 minutes, and I let him know that I did want to make the Church my spiritual home again, and that I wanted to go forward as a Catholic from now on. In return, he made it clear that in my case, I'd need to do a first confession.... after which, I should just rejoin the church and continue life as an active, believing Catholic.
I am definitely welcome to continue with the RCIA classes I've started taking, and I will do so, because the priest thinks (as do I) that they'll strengthen and teach me, as well as help correct errors I've picked up over the years.... but no major rite or anything formal NEEDS to be done other than confession!
I asked the priest when I could DO a first confession. He asked if I wanted to do it formally, in a confessional, or just sitting face to face with him. I chose the face to face option -- I genuinely admire and respect this man, and I said "I'd sooner look you in the eye!"
We both laughed. Because it was already getting late, and very dark out, and I had a ride arranged.... we settled for tomorrow as a first confession date. (Tues and Thurs is normal for the church I go to, anyhow).
So.... tomorrow it is!!
God fills my heart with profound thankfulness for Him. He called me back to Him, and is leading me, day by day. I now understand WHY we refer to this as 'the mystery of our faith'.... this is a faith that we could NOT do on our own, and we serve a Saviour who died and rose again, to reunite us with a beautiful God. That truly IS a mystery, that He would call us back to Him at all... and yet He does!
It was interesting. Really great. A lot of background that I knew, a lot of the usual 'first day FAQ' business to get through... but I was also VERY encouraged because I could see that the course was designed to bring people closer to God while understanding their faith, and what the history of the Church and the Sacraments meant to them. I am VERY thankful I'm getting the chance to go through this program.
That being said... I was baptized as a Catholic. I made my first communion. I did not make my first confession, but I did choose to make my confirmation. It was a couple years after that point that I stopped attending a Catholic church. It's been about 10 years... and it's time to come home.
Tonight, I had an excellent talk with the priest. We talked for about 20 minutes, and I let him know that I did want to make the Church my spiritual home again, and that I wanted to go forward as a Catholic from now on. In return, he made it clear that in my case, I'd need to do a first confession.... after which, I should just rejoin the church and continue life as an active, believing Catholic.
I am definitely welcome to continue with the RCIA classes I've started taking, and I will do so, because the priest thinks (as do I) that they'll strengthen and teach me, as well as help correct errors I've picked up over the years.... but no major rite or anything formal NEEDS to be done other than confession!
I asked the priest when I could DO a first confession. He asked if I wanted to do it formally, in a confessional, or just sitting face to face with him. I chose the face to face option -- I genuinely admire and respect this man, and I said "I'd sooner look you in the eye!"
We both laughed. Because it was already getting late, and very dark out, and I had a ride arranged.... we settled for tomorrow as a first confession date. (Tues and Thurs is normal for the church I go to, anyhow).So.... tomorrow it is!!
God fills my heart with profound thankfulness for Him. He called me back to Him, and is leading me, day by day. I now understand WHY we refer to this as 'the mystery of our faith'.... this is a faith that we could NOT do on our own, and we serve a Saviour who died and rose again, to reunite us with a beautiful God. That truly IS a mystery, that He would call us back to Him at all... and yet He does!
