Question about conversion

[SheWhoSeeks]

I am learning about the Catholic faith and just attended my first Mass last Sunday with plans of attending again. I've learned quite a bit from some online friends, from listening to Catholic Answers, reading online, and reading Catholicism for Dummies (which was recommended to me otherwise I never would have picked it up and it has been really helpful!).
I am a former Mormon, and I know that my LDS baptism is invalid so I am in need of all the sacraments. I live in Utah.

I was talking with an online friend yesterday, who is a convert from Lutheranism, and she said that her and her husband had to wait a year after coming into the church to be in full communion with it. So if I were baptized say at Easter Vigil 2012, then I would not be in full communion until Easter Vigil 2013. And that in the interum I'd be able to go to confession, but I would not be able to partake of the Eucharist.

I had never heard of a year probationary period before, besides in her situation but she says it is the Salt Lake Diocese rule, and she gave me a link to a pdf file about it. I can't post a link because I am too new to the forums, but it talked a lot about how to handle somebody with an irregular marriage (either part of the couple had been married before their current marriage), but all I can make of it is that if I had an irregular marriage then I'd need to get that worked out before coming in to full communion. As far as I know my marriage is ...erm...regular because it is a first and only marriage for either of us, it was just performed in an LDS temple, though it is of course a legal marriage.

Anyway, my point - does anybody know of a waiting period to come into full communion in the church like this?
I am excited at the prospects of coming into the church, and I know it is already going to take longer than I would wish because of the RCIA program, and taking things slowly for the sake of my husband who is still a believing Mormon though seems supportive of me and my interest in the Catholic Church. I am just trying to trust in God's timing and follow His will. It is just heartbreaking to think of coming into the church and having to wait a full year to partake of the Eucharist.
Thanks!

 

[Ave Maria]

As far as I am aware, once Easter Vigil comes around, you will receive the Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation, and the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. That's the way it was for others back in 2006 when I was received into the Church. My situation was different than theirs but things are the same as far as I know. That said, things may have changed. You may want to ask your priest about this.

Oh, and just so I don't forget, welcome home to Rome!

 

[Anhelyna]

You may find that the Pastor in the Church you are attending will ask you to wait and join other new inquirers in the next RCIA group that is being set up with a first meeting round about September. Till then you are most welcome to attend Mass - just remember you may not Receive Communion.

Normally preparation classes [ RCIA ] last about 8 months before the catechumens [ people entering the Church who have not been validly baptised ] are Received by Baptism and Confirmation and First Communion at the Paschal Vigil.

No matter what any of us say - the Pastor in the local Church is the one who will make any decisions - so make an appointment to see him ASAP.

 

[AMDG]

Welcome home!

I think that Ava Maria is correct. Once you are Baptized at the Easter Vigil, reception of the Eucharist is given that night and the convert may receive the Eucharist at Mass *everyday* he attend Mass after that. (BTW he'll also receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter vigil.)

My husband converted from Catholicism before there were RCIA programs. And he received the Eucharist that very night *and at every Mass thereafter*. (At the time, though, the Sacrament of Confirmation was not conferred at the same time, but he needed to go through additional classes, so he was Confirmed the next year.) And one of my granddaughters was adopted and later went through RCIA to become a Catholic. (The RCIA program teaches the basics of Catholicism and the program leads to the Reception of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.)

The only year waiting period I'm aware of is the LDS year wait between their baptism and the taking out of Endowments in the Temple (after getting a recommend first, of course.)

 

[SheWhoSeeks]

AMDG - I told my friend that what she was talking about reminded me of the year waiting period for mormons too, and that it just seems odd.

I sent an email off to the parish I attended introducing myself and asking about the process, so hopefully I'll get some clarification soon.

 

[epiclesis]

welcome!

 

[Rhamiel]

never heard of this before
for adult converts they normally do baptism, confirmation, first confession and first communion all the same week, and then you are full member
are you sure she did not mean it took a year for her to go through RCIA?
also not everyone has to go through RCIA (but it is recomended) you can also talk to the pastor of the parish you will be going to about privet lessons

may I ask what led you away from the LDS church and what attracted you to the Catholic Church?

 

[Root of Jesse]

I am learning about the Catholic faith and just attended my first Mass last Sunday with plans of attending again. I've learned quite a bit from some online friends, from listening to Catholic Answers, reading online, and reading Catholicism for Dummies (which was recommended to me otherwise I never would have picked it up and it has been really helpful!).
I am a former Mormon, and I know that my LDS baptism is invalid so I am in need of all the sacraments. I live in Utah.

I was talking with an online friend yesterday, who is a convert from Lutheranism, and she said that her and her husband had to wait a year after coming into the church to be in full communion with it. So if I were baptized say at Easter Vigil 2012, then I would not be in full communion until Easter Vigil 2013. And that in the interum I'd be able to go to confession, but I would not be able to partake of the Eucharist.

I had never heard of a year probationary period before, besides in her situation but she says it is the Salt Lake Diocese rule, and she gave me a link to a pdf file about it. I can't post a link because I am too new to the forums, but it talked a lot about how to handle somebody with an irregular marriage (either part of the couple had been married before their current marriage), but all I can make of it is that if I had an irregular marriage then I'd need to get that worked out before coming in to full communion. As far as I know my marriage is ...erm...regular because it is a first and only marriage for either of us, it was just performed in an LDS temple, though it is of course a legal marriage.

Anyway, my point - does anybody know of a waiting period to come into full communion in the church like this?
I am excited at the prospects of coming into the church, and I know it is already going to take longer than I would wish because of the RCIA program, and taking things slowly for the sake of my husband who is still a believing Mormon though seems supportive of me and my interest in the Catholic Church. I am just trying to trust in God's timing and follow His will. It is just heartbreaking to think of coming into the church and having to wait a full year to partake of the Eucharist.
Thanks!

You will be a Catholic on Easter 2012. You're considered a neophyte for the first year after, but you're fully joined. You can receive Eucharist Easter 2012.

My advice is to talk to your priest about the particulars of your situation, your marriage, and all. And if you need anything else, please let me know.

Welcome home to Rome.

 

[ZooMom]

Welcome! Lots of good answers and advice here, but do clarify with your priest. The normal process is that once you have completed RCIA, then you would receive ALL of the necessary Sacraments to bring you into complete Communion with the Catholic Church. There is no set time limit. Normal practice is for this to happen at the Easter Vigil...but it can happen at any time, and at the priest's discretion. Your previous faith affiliation has no bearing whatsoever on your reception of the Sacraments. It is for you, and your priest, to determine your readiness and proper discernment. So, congratulations and many blessings on beginning your faith journey! Peace be with you!

 

[Michie]

Easter Vigil 2012. Talk to your priest for clarification or your RCIA instructor for details & the reasons why.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

SheWhoSeeks,
it doesn't take a probationary period, but rather, the pastor at the parish you're looking into, has to put you into an RCIA program where you can learn about the faith. Programs may be already underway, but depending where they're at, will have an impact on how the pastor plans to handle your situation.

Most likely, if you decide to become Catholic now, you'll be Baptised, Confirmed and receive the Holy Eucharist at Easter Vigil,(The Saturday night before Easter) 2012.

God Bless
Jim