RCIA tomorrow

Lady Bug

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Hopefully at least. I got a copy of the "syllabus" from the RCIA director on Friday, but I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed. This looks like a ton of stuff. I forgot to ask her if there is homework or exams.

I am trying not to be debbie downer right now. Only the strong-willed people will be able to bear with me.
 

eastcoast_bsc

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Hopefully at least. I got a copy of the "syllabus" from the RCIA director on Friday, but I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed. This looks like a ton of stuff. I forgot to ask her if there is homework or exams.

I am trying not to be debbie downer right now. Only the strong-willed people will be able to bear with me.


Good luck and may God bless and guide your every step. Great news!
 
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Akita Suggagaki

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Hopefully at least. I got a copy of the "syllabus" from the RCIA director on Friday, but I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed. This looks like a ton of stuff. I forgot to ask her if there is homework or exams.

I am trying not to be debbie downer right now. Only the strong-willed people will be able to bear with me.
It should be one of the most blessed experiences of your life. Just go with the flow.
 
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tampasteve

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Just try and soak up the experience, ask lots of questions. Learn as much as you can, and participate in parish life as much as you are able. Really get a feel for the community and the church you are joining. If someone does not answer your questions to your satisfaction then ask who you could talk to as well as the teacher. There won't be any tests or anything, it should be an inviting and enlightening experience.
 
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Lady Bug

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Learn as much as you can, and participate in parish life as much as you are able. Really get a feel for the community and the church you are joining.
This is the part that I suffer social anxiety from right now. I did have a talk with the lady about choosing between two parishes, hers and another's (I wrote a thread about this recently). She didn't have the most favorable opinion of the other church, and I was kind of surprised. She said that church has a different vibe in that it's a wealthy church and the people there can be more haughty. Frankly, the deacon and parochial vicar of that church she is talking about were wonderful with us; they were willing to give my mom a funeral Mass, so maybe she's talking about the parishioners. As I said, I was surprised to hear about that. I didn't get any haughty vibe from that church, but who knows - maybe the staff isn't haughty but something else might be wrong. She did say that in spite of the fact that she lives only a few minutes away from a Catholic church in her own town, that she didn't like that particular one and chose the one she works at now.

I still get worried over how I might be treated. If the staff at this church (particularly the priest) doesn't treat me well, what is my next recourse of action?
 
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Susie~Q

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This is the part that I suffer social anxiety from right now. I did have a talk with the lady about choosing between two parishes, hers and another's (I wrote a thread about this recently). She didn't have the most favorable opinion of the other church, and I was kind of surprised. She said that church has a different vibe in that it's a wealthy church and the people there can be more haughty. Frankly, the deacon and parochial vicar of that church she is talking about were wonderful with us; they were willing to give my mom a funeral Mass, so maybe she's talking about the parishioners. As I said, I was surprised to hear about that. I didn't get any haughty vibe from that church, but who knows - maybe the staff isn't haughty but something else might be wrong. She did say that in spite of the fact that she lives only a few minutes away from a Catholic church in her own town, that she didn't like that particular one and chose the one she works at now.

I still get worried over how I might be treated. If the staff at this church (particularly the priest) doesn't treat me well, what is my next recourse of action?

I remember you telling me about the other parish, I thought that the lady was so nice, in fact, that is where I wish you were going. I am so surprised that the other person said some bad things about it. I think the choice is yours, if you feel better there, then by all means go there. I think it is wonderful that she was even willing to give your dear mama a funeral. The only way you will truly find out is if you attend a service, then you can make your own decision.

If they don't treat you right, then it is your right to discontinue the classes and go to the other one.
 
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Michie

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I’m just curious why you’d think the priest would not treat you right? Priests are friendly but very busy with their duties as well. Just don’t get ahead of yourself and worry about things there is no need to worry about. Take it one day at a time.
 
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Lady Bug

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I remember you telling me about the other parish, I thought that M was so nice, in fact, that is where I wish you were going. I am so surprised that S said some bad things about it. I think the choice is yours, if you feel better there, then by all means go there. I think it is wonderful that she was even willing to give your dear mama a funeral. The only way you will truly find out is if you attend a service, then you can make your own decision.

If they don't treat you right, then it is your right to discontinue the classes and go to the one where M is.
Uh oh I didn't know you preferred the other parish.

I’m just curious why you’d think the priest would not treat you right? Priests are friendly but very busy with their duties as well. Just don’t get ahead of yourself and worry about things there is no need to worry about. Take it one day at a time.
I don't know; it's just paranoia.
 
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Susie~Q

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Hon, it really doesn't matter what I prefer, it is your choice, I was just saying, as I did in my previous email that Mary and the church in general sounded nice and I probably would prefer going there. However, you need to do what feels best for you.
 
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Lady Bug

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Hon, it really doesn't matter what I prefer, it is your choice, I was just saying, as I did in my previous email that M and the church in general sounded nice and I probably would prefer going there. However, you need to do what feels best for you.
I'll email you later about this. It may not be for awhile because I'm out right now.
 
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Hopefully at least. I got a copy of the "syllabus" from the RCIA director on Friday, but I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed. This looks like a ton of stuff. I forgot to ask her if there is homework or exams.

I am trying not to be debbie downer right now. Only the strong-willed people will be able to bear with me.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, I hope you do too. It's not overwhelming, the nice thing is they let you go however quickly or slowly you want to go and there's never any commitment to complete things. I approached it as a fun chance to learn, and learn I did.

Know that people are praying for you, not only at the parish where you're doing RCIA but also on here.
 
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Lady Bug

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I don't know whether or not to give good or bad news first (the bad news has nothing to do with RCIA).

RCIA went very well; I enjoyed it very much. It was the most laid-back atmosphere. I was so worried that when I went there, it would be a bunch of serious people who didn't talk with each other, but it wasn't like that. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I didn't feel a bad vibe from anyone there. I don't have a fraction of the anxiety that I had before going there. I don't know what will happen down the line, but the instructor's no-pressure attitude is a major plus. I can see myself going back next week. I don't like the area it's in, at night, though the people tend to think I'm worrying about that too much.

The bad news is that I'm going through a major problem all of a sudden that is faith-related. I don't want to tell my dad what it is because he will interpret it as "see? there's no difference between the religions after all" when that's not true either. I wish that this problem didn't occur on the exact same night as RCIA, for crying out loud. I might make a thread about it but it's not that active here.
 
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Susie~Q

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I am so happy for you, it sounds wonderful, I just knew once you got there and started the class you would be at peace. I think it is very exciting. ((((((hugs))))

I am not one bit surprised now that you are having some type of faith-related problem. I would be willing to bet that it is an attack by Satan, he sees you are happy and following the Lord, so now, the enemy is going to throw all kinds of discouragements your way. Now, more than ever, you need to continue praying to the Holy Spirit for strength and protection.
 
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Lady Bug

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I am so happy for you, it sounds wonderful, I just knew once you got there and started the class you would be at peace. I think it is very exciting. ((((((hugs))))

I am not one bit surprised now that you are having some type of faith-related problem. I would be willing to bet that it is an attack by Satan, he sees you are happy and following the Lord, so now, the enemy is going to throw all kinds of discouragements your way. Now, more than ever, you need to continue praying to the Holy Spirit for strength and protection.
It was indeed a very peaceful vibe there. I sound like a broken record but I was surprised. They seem just as good as the people in the other church. Maybe in an email I will tell you why I went to this parish vs the other one (even though I actually like the other one too, but I'll see how you feel about everything once I email you about it).

You are most likely right about the Satan thing. It just popped in my head a couple days ago and it's strong tonight. :|
 
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Susie~Q

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I just sent you an email too. I will be looking forward to your email.

Yes, Satan is the father of all lies, and man, he will now start to pull out all stops to get you discouraged, so, don't be too surprised when you get weird thoughts, etc, just know it is Satan doing this.

Just remember, "You can do ALL things through Christ Who is your strength" also, "No weapon formed against you will prosper"
 
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