I want to become a Catholic but I'm starting to get discouraged

[longing_catholic]

I recently had this overwhelming feeling inside that I truly want to develope a personal relationship with God and I really want to become Catholic. I have contacted a few churches in my area. The problem that I am running into is that the programs for RCIA do not start normally until the fall. Also, the other issue is that most of the people that I come in contact with are sooooo not willing to help me and most are very rude to me. This is becoming very discouraging. How is it fair to make me wait to become a Catholic? Does anyone have any suggestions or insight?

[thessalonian]

Be patient with it. That is a bad thing about RCIA I agree. But God knows your heart. Start studying now. Get yourself a Catechism of the Catholic Church. Have you been baptized?

[longing_catholic]

No I am not baptized which is a weighing worry all of the time.





[quote name='thessalonian' post='1000495' date='Jun 8 2006, 01:21 PM']
Be patient with it. That is a bad thing about RCIA I agree. But God knows your heart. Start studying now. Get yourself a Catechism of the Catholic Church. Have you been baptized?
[/quote]

[Guest T-Bone]

I went through the same thing with RCIA.

Luckily my parish was very friendly and what not.

[heavenseeker]

With me being a cradle catholic I never had to deal with this but I will keep you in my prayers.

[Daniel9]

You have taken the first big step and that's great! Don't let the rest get you down. Read, pray, seek out friendly Catholics (there are a few of us!). Just don't let these "things of man" interfere with you joining the Lord in his Church.

[longing_catholic]

Thank you so much for your positive responses. I just don't understand why the program starts at that time of the year. You can enter in the middle of the program? Luckily I am getting married next Friday to a great guy who is Catholic and we plan to do a weekly study together and attend church weekly!



[quote name='heavenseeker' post='1000505' date='Jun 8 2006, 01:28 PM']
With me being a cradle catholic I never had to deal with this but I will keep you in my prayers.
[/quote]

[thessalonian]

[quote name='longing_catholic' post='1000496' date='Jun 8 2006, 12:25 PM']
No I am not baptized which is a weighing worry all of the time.
[/quote]


As I said the Lord knows your heart. Your desire to be baptized would be of significant value if something were to happen to you, God forbid. That is Church teaching from the earliest of days. If something were to happen that was life threating you can be baptized on the spot by anyone. Even a non-Catholic or non-Christian.

Discouragement is not of God. Don't get discouraged.

Edited June 8, 2006 by thessalonian

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

[quote name='longing_catholic' post='1000496' date='Jun 8 2006, 01:25 PM']
No I am not baptized which is a weighing worry all of the time.
[/quote]

Do not be worried. Baptism of Desire has you covered!


[quote]Many times in Africa I heard one of our catechumens say to me, “Father, baptize me straightaway because if I die before you come again, I shall go to hell.” I told him “No, if you have no mortal sin on your conscience and if you desire baptism, then you already have the grace in you.”[/quote]
-Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='longing_catholic' post='1000513' date='Jun 8 2006, 12:31 PM'] Thank you so much for your positive responses. I just don't understand why the program starts at that time of the year. You can enter in the middle of the program? Luckily I am getting married next Friday to a great guy who is Catholic and we plan to do a weekly study together and attend church weekly![/quote]That is wonderful I am sure that you will learn a lot while you are here too! There are very many educated and knowledgeable people, and many converts you can share experiences with God bless you abundantly!
(BTW, Welcome to the phamily!)

[longing_catholic]

I recently had a choking incident where someone had to call 911, so it really freaked me out to know that something could happen at anytime and the fact that I wasn't baptized scary the living daylights out of me. Your words truly give me hope that if something else were to happen, I could be baptized by anyone.


[quote name='thessalonian' post='1000528' date='Jun 8 2006, 01:36 PM']
As I said the Lord knows your heart. Your desire to be baptized would be of significant value if something were to happen to you, God forbid. That is Church teaching from the earliest of days. If something were to happen that was life threating you can be baptized on the spot by anyone. Even a non-Catholic or non-Christian.

Discouragement is not of God. Don't get discouraged.
[/quote]

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

Many times RCIA is just for people whose Spouse is Catholic and wants them to convert or something like that. do not be suprised if it is full of liberalism or what not. My mom went through RCIA, just her and my dad and a priest. The priest never told her about the real presecence, EENS, or anything else....what a waste.

[Lil Red]

RCIA usually starts in the fall so that all catechumens are received into the church at Easter Vigil. I hope this helps. I will pray for you and your husband. :

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

[quote name='longing_catholic' post='1000539' date='Jun 8 2006, 01:41 PM']
I recently had a choking incident where someone had to call 911, so it really freaked me out to know that something could happen at anytime and the fact that I wasn't baptized scary the living daylights out of me. Your words truly give me hope that if something else were to happen, I could be baptized by anyone.
[/quote]


are you familar with what Perfect Contrition is?


[quote]Q. 765. What is perfect contrition?

A. Perfect contrition is that which fills us with sorrow and hatred for sin, because it offends God, who is infinitely good in Himself and worthy of all love.

Q. 766. When will perfect contrition obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance?

A. Perfect contrition will obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance when we cannot go to confession, but with the perfect contrition we must have the intention of going to confession as soon as possible, if we again have the opportunity[/quote]


As long as you have perfect contrition you should be fine.


I also had a choking inncident. it was 2 years ago on a french frie. i had to have the hemlich manuver done. it was a good day though.

[thessalonian]

from the official source, the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

[url="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1284.htm"]http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1284.htm[/url]

1284 In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."