Paying for RCIA?

[G19shooter]

Just curious if it is normal to have to pay for RCIA classes? The parish I am interested in taking the classes at wants $150.

 

[mark46]

I was involved in RCIA for a few years. I never heard of such a practice.

 

[Michie]

Just curious if it is normal to have to pay for RCIA classes? The parish I am interested in taking the classes at wants $150.

No! It's free! I'm shocked.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

Are you sure it's not a donation to cover materials? Is it really "This is how much it costs you to convert?" Ask if you can buy an indulgence too.

 

[Michie]

I was never asked for donations. We were given materials, rosaries, etc. for free.

 

[G19shooter]

Are you sure it's not a donation to cover materials? Is it really "This is how much it costs you to convert?" Ask if you can buy an indulgence too.

Maybe it's for materials. But she said, "The course is 9 months. It's a big learning experience and lots of fun. No books are required, it's lecture based. The cost for the course is $150, you can pay in installments if you would like."

Maybe there are no books required because they give us the books...because we pay for them basically. I don't know.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

I was never asked for donations. We were given materials, rosaries, etc. for free.

Yeah, when I was a sponsor, we never asked for money. I was just guessing.

 

[Michie]

Yeah, when I was a sponsor, we never asked for money. I was just guessing.

This really disturbs me. What about those that can't pay? This is like you have to pay to become Catholic. RCIA has never had any obligations to attend. Everything is free. The only thing we were given the option to buy was a Catechism if we wanted one. Everything was free. This is a very bad practice if this is what they are doing.

 

[G19shooter]

This really disturbs me. What about those that can't pay? This is like you have to pay to become Catholic. RCIA has never had any obligations to attend. Everything is free. The only think we were given the option to buy was a Catechism if we wanted one. Everything was free. This is a very bad practice if this is what they are doing.

Yeah, when she mentioned cost, I felt a little torn. Like I love the church and I personally can afford it, but it does feel weird. I know there are many who cannot afford $150 for classes. More over, I know many who might want to grow with Christ learn more about the Catholic faith, but to have to pay to do so would turn them off completely. So I don't know. I'm on the fence about the whole idea. Maybe I'll just hold off and check out a few more parishes and talk with some other RCIA program directors before making my decision.

 

[Michie]

Yeah, when she mentioned cost, I felt a little torn. Like I love the church and I personally can afford it, but it does feel weird. I know there are many who cannot afford $150 for classes. More over, I know many who might want to grow with Christ learn more about the Catholic faith, but to have to pay to do so would turn them off completely. So I don't know. I'm on the fence about the whole idea. Maybe I'll just hold off and check out a few more parishes and talk with some other RCIA program directors before making my decision.

I'd take RCIA at a Church where it was free. I'm sorry but charging for RCIA stinks to high heaven. If that is what they are doing, they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

 

[Chrystal-J]

My boyfriend just got baptized/confirmed. The classes were free, but he had to pay for his own materials.

 

[Michie]

My boyfriend just got baptized/confirmed. The classes were free, but he had to pay for his own materials.

What materials did he have to pay for?

 

[Chrystal-J]

What materials did he have to pay for?

We had to buy a Catholic bible, journal materials and a Sunday Missal.

 

[Michie]

We had to buy a Catholic bible, journal materials and a Sunday Missal.

I'm amazed. We got all that for free.

 

[Chrystal-J]

I agree because the CSA promotes donations based on that they make RCIA possible. I don't see what the CSA paid for in my boyfriend's case. The teachers donated their time and the building was already open for other events--and the students paid for their own materials.

 

[Rhamiel]

For the OP, if they are asking for money for RCIA you should decline to take RCIA classes and ask for private lessons with the priest

We had to buy a Catholic bible, journal materials and a Sunday Missal.

I'm amazed. We got all that for free.

I am a little surprised, but I can understand that if the parish is having serious financial problems that it might make sense to have people buy their own materials
but even at this, it would not cost $150

 

[Tigg]

Maybe it's for materials. But she said, "The course is 9 months. It's a big learning experience and lots of fun. No books are required, it's lecture based. The cost for the course is $150, you can pay in installments if you would like."

Maybe there are no books required because they give us the books...because we pay for them basically. I don't know.

Baloney! Go elsewhere. The gospel and word of God is not for sale.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

Baloney! Go elsewhere. The gospel and word of God is not for sale.

Sure it is. It's for sale in lots of book stores. Nice popping off without knowing all the facts. Good job.

 

[Tigg]

Sure it is. It's for sale in lots of book stores. Nice popping off without knowing all the facts. Good job.

Oh, I thank you so very much. Your kindness is so overwhelming. To buy a religious book in a book store is one thing. For the CC to demand $150 for RCIA is another. O bright one, you may put me on ignore anytime.

 

[mark46]

indulgences

charging lots for annulments

now, charging for RCIA

Will we ever learn?