I Want to Convert but no one will call me back

[Gresham]

Yes he is Irish. I thought that was really neat.
I will never forget the way he said that, "God bless you lad."

Thanks again for all of the well wishes.

[PraiseGodxJMJ]

Originally Posted by Gresham

I dropped in at the local parish about 2 months ago and spoke to a priest about converting. We talked for about 10 min. He said that he was leaving in a few days for a vacation. He gave me a book to read and asked that I get in touch with him during the 1st week of May. Well thats where I'm having problems...I have called several times and left messages, I have even stopped back by the parish and spoke to the associate pastor who said he would pass along the message. I told him that I have unyielding passion to do God's work and I just wanted information on becoming Catholic. It has been over a week and still no phone call.
Simply said, I'm almost heart broken. I have spent alot of time working out my conversion, this is a big deal to me.
It seems for them, they are in no rush for me to join the Church at all.

What can I do. I hate to keep bothering them. It seems that if they wanted to call me back, they would.

Well I feel for you, Converting to the Catholic Faith is a pretty big deal. I for one am not a convert I was born and raised Catholic from Birth! Becoming a Catholic, while a weighty decision, is easy in practice, although it will take time. It's easy to take your first step into joining the oldest Christian institution in the world. Take heart! Converts to Catholicism are among the strongest in their faith in all of Christianity.

1.Read the Bible often, and pray often.

2.Find a local Catholic church. It's not too hard - just look under the yellow pages of the phone book under "Churches." Alternatively, the website Mass Times allows you to search for churches based on parameters such city, zip code, phone number, or country. Look into the traditions and teachings of the Church, and see how Catholics defend them. It is important to know why you are converting.

3. Attend a Mass or two, preferably with a Catholic friend who can explain when to do things and what they mean. Don't let a particular mass or church influence your decision. Most churches have had a fair amount of variation in services. There are often "teen masses" or "guitar masses" as well as languages corresponding to the local minority community. Additionally, your enjoyment of the sermon may depend on the priest who is celebrating that particular mass. Remember, however, that you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist--see "Warnings."

4. Once you find a church you like, contact the Parish Office and inform them of your desire to convert. There are group classes, called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), for all people wishing to convert within a period, giving you a social framework for assimilating the experience. You will be asked to talk to a priest or deacon, or perhaps to a layperson who is experienced in the conversion process. He will ask you why you wish to become Catholic and in general, talk to you to be sure you are sincere in your desire and are aware of the conditions of being Catholic.

5.If you continue on in the process, you'll start taking Catholic education classes, also known as RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. You will learn the history of the Church, the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order of celebration of Mass. During this stage, many classes have you attending Mass for only part of the time, leaving before communion, as you may not receive Eucharist until you have entered the Church.

6.If you're lucky enough to become Catholic around Easter, you'll get to be baptized (if you haven't been baptized before), receive your first communion, and be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, the special Mass held the evening before Easter Sunday (your first reconciliation will be held sometime before).



7.If you have been baptized before into a church recognized by Catholics as a Christian one (Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are examples of those not considered Christians by the Church), your baptism is valid and you do not have to be baptized again. If you have not been baptized, or been baptized into a non-Christian Church you will be baptized in a Catholic Church.

8. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (available on Amazon, with a red cover) is an excellent introduction to the doctrine and prayer of the church. It also is a fairly easy read. Catholicism for Dummies is also useful. Even if you are just asking questions, but not sure that you want to become Catholic, you can approach a priest, deacon or parish staff member to answer your questions. They will probably be more than glad to set up a time to talk with you.

There are many excellent web sites that can help you plug into the daily prayer tradition of the church. Check out www.universalis.com, www.sacredspace.ie, or www.pray-as-you-go.org.

Many missals have the order of Mass with responses and times to sit, stand, or kneel in the front or back.

[PraiseGodxJMJ]

Originally Posted by PraiseGodxJMJ

Well I feel for you, Converting to the Catholic Faith is a pretty big deal. I for one am not a convert I was born and raised Catholic from Birth! Becoming a Catholic, while a weighty decision, is easy in practice, although it will take time. It's easy to take your first step into joining the oldest Christian institution in the world. Take heart! Converts to Catholicism are among the strongest in their faith in all of Christianity.


There are many excellent web sites that can help you plug into the daily prayer tradition of the church. Check out www.universalis.com, www.sacredspace.ie, or www.pray-as-you-go.org.

Many missals have the order of Mass with responses and times to sit, stand, or kneel in the front or back.

The Catholic Church is often identified with guilt and strict rules. After attending a few masses and befriending a few Catholics, you will find this to be an unfair characterization. There are many common misconceptions about the Church which may cause you to look away without giving them a closer look. Find a well-versed Catholic friend, and he or she will probably be able to give you an answer. Until you are a member of the Catholic Church, you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist.

IT IS A SACRILAGE TO TAKE PART IN THIS EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT CATHOLIC! You cannot abuse the Eucharist!

It is unlikely that any action will be taken against you, but the Church asks you to respect its traditions. The Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ, no longer bread and wine. Remember that Paul says that, "Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27,29).
Going to confession is great too!

Above all, do not convert for someone else. Only convert if it is truly what you believe. also go to www.fisheaters.com-- and www.EWTN.com--and www.Catholicscomehome.org

[allhers]

God bless you and welcome home!! I've never met an Irish Priest I didn't love, the Holy Spirit just seems to shine through them.
(but hey, I've never met any Priest I didn't love, I had a Irish Grandmother that prayed daily, and probably still does) that we would all have a Priest available to us when we needed one. Will keep you and yours in my prayers.

[funnyyetsavvy]

I know how you feel, OP.
I started calling in February of this year about RCIA. I spoke with the secretary, who told me the priest was forming a class and had several interested candidates. Several weeks passed and then a voicemail from the priest saying he'd call again. In May we spoke, and he asked about my availability and said he'd probably have the class Sundays. No problems. He said he had to talk to the other two candidates and get back to me.
Well, now it's June....no further info.....
Meanwhile, another parish has a class that is currently meeting on Thursdays that I could join....
Frustrating, because I don't want the first priest to make a plan assuming I'll still be waiting, and because I really want to get this underway...!

[jmcrae]

Originally Posted by funnyyetsavvy

I know how you feel, OP.
I started calling in February of this year about RCIA. I spoke with the secretary, who told me the priest was forming a class and had several interested candidates. Several weeks passed and then a voicemail from the priest saying he'd call again. In May we spoke, and he asked about my availability and said he'd probably have the class Sundays. No problems. He said he had to talk to the other two candidates and get back to me.
Well, now it's June....no further info.....
Meanwhile, another parish has a class that is currently meeting on Thursdays that I could join....
Frustrating, because I don't want the first priest to make a plan assuming I'll still be waiting, and because I really want to get this underway...!

Maybe check out the one that has a class underway to see if you can still join (drop in this Thursday and see what they say), and if you can, then get back to the other priest and tell him that you have already made other arrangements.

One of the frustrating things about the modern Church is that people seem to have a hard time communicating. The principles of "Who, what, when, where, why and how" seem to have been lost somewhere along the way - everyone just assumes that everyone else knows what's going on.

[Ixliam]

I ran into some of this myself a few years ago when I was discerning coming into the Catholic church. The typical response that I got, as a baptized believer, was to come back for RCIA in the fall. But from what I read, believers from most protestant circles should be able to meet with the priest, have them access the person, and then go from there. But instead, they would rather just funnel everyone through RCIA. It actually turned me off for a bit, until we managed to move away. We ended up coming into the church through an Eastern Catholic church, who met with my wife and I for a number of weeks, where we discussed Catholic theology/rituals/etc. Eventually he posed us the question about when we would be ready to enter the Church, and my answer was now. A few days later, we were chrismated and entered the Church.

Sometimes you will just have to search around for a priest that may be a good fit for you, but it sounds like you found one. May God bless you on this journey into His Church.

[lorraineshelsta]

I think some of the replies have been good: try another parish, ask for the person who leads RCIA (this often begins in September). I had a similar problem but it turned out to be a real problem in that parish as the priest had become ill and had to leave. They were unable to get someone new for a while. This wasn't actually a parish but a University Community. Anyway I did phone another parish and found out when their RCIA started. In the end I joined and have never regretted it! I hope things work out for you.

[graceandglory]

Originally Posted by Gresham

I dropped in at the local parish about 2 months ago and spoke to a priest about converting. We talked for about 10 min. He said that he was leaving in a few days for a vacation. He gave me a book to read and asked that I get in touch with him during the 1st week of May. Well thats where I'm having problems...I have called several times and left messages, I have even stopped back by the parish and spoke to the associate pastor who said he would pass along the message. I told him that I have unyielding passion to do God's work and I just wanted information on becoming Catholic. It has been over a week and still no phone call.
Simply said, I'm almost heart broken. I have spent alot of time working out my conversion, this is a big deal to me.
It seems for them, they are in no rush for me to join the Church at all.

What can I do. I hate to keep bothering them. It seems that if they wanted to call me back, they would.

Don't give up. This is between you and GOD. Satan will try to give you a reason not to convert. There will always be people in the way who disappoint and aren't perfect. Don't let Satan win. Come on Home!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Originally Posted by Gresham

I dropped in at the local parish about 2 months ago and spoke to a priest about converting. We talked for about 10 min. He said that he was leaving in a few days for a vacation. He gave me a book to read and asked that I get in touch with him during the 1st week of May. Well thats where I'm having problems...I have called several times and left messages, I have even stopped back by the parish and spoke to the associate pastor who said he would pass along the message. I told him that I have unyielding passion to do God's work and I just wanted information on becoming Catholic. It has been over a week and still no phone call.
Simply said, I'm almost heart broken. I have spent alot of time working out my conversion, this is a big deal to me.
It seems for them, they are in no rush for me to join the Church at all.

What can I do. I hate to keep bothering them. It seems that if they wanted to call me back, they would.

That's why we went 'church-shopping.'

This one was too cold. This one was too big. This one was too indifferent.

THIS ONE was---just right. My favorite church architecturally speaking was the one we ended up with. I phoned the coordinator of the RCIA program, had a nice chat with her, and almost before I hung up, the phone rang. It was the priest: "Come on down, we won't bite!"

They really, really wanted us. Bless him!

[Sailka]

Originally Posted by Gresham

Thank you all for the advice and prayers. I have still not heard back from them but I will take your advice and call tomorrow to make an appointment.

[list]
There is One way to Convert to the awesome Catholic Church, normally. Sign up for the nearest RCIA Program, which is the way Converts are taught, to become Catholics. RCIA usually begins in School year. Please focus on Where nearest RCIA is, and when begins. That is only phone calling needed. Priests are Incredibly busy, almost daily.

• RCIA begins with School year, and One Becomes Catholic, an emotional, powerful experience, at Easter Sunday. Are large number of converts, and most say it is one of best things they ever did, to get Fully with the Lord, in His Church. God Bless. Live in Jesus Tony

[Sailka]

Originally Posted by PraiseGodxJMJ

Well I feel for you, Converting to the Catholic Faith is a pretty big deal. I for one am not a convert I was born and raised Catholic from Birth! Becoming a Catholic, while a weighty decision, is easy in practice, although it will take time. It's easy to take your first step into joining the oldest Christian institution in the world. Take heart! Converts to Catholicism are among the strongest in their faith in all of Christianity.

1.Read the Bible often, and pray often.

2.Find a local Catholic church. It's not too hard - just look under the yellow pages of the phone book under "Churches." Alternatively, the website Mass Times allows you to search for churches based on parameters such city, zip code, phone number, or country. Look into the traditions and teachings of the Church, and see how Catholics defend them. It is important to know why you are converting.

3. Attend a Mass or two, preferably with a Catholic friend who can explain when to do things and what they mean. Don't let a particular mass or church influence your decision. Most churches have had a fair amount of variation in services. There are often "teen masses" or "guitar masses" as well as languages corresponding to the local minority community. Additionally, your enjoyment of the sermon may depend on the priest who is celebrating that particular mass. Remember, however, that you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist--see "Warnings."

4. Once you find a church you like, contact the Parish Office and inform them of your desire to convert. There are group classes, called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), for all people wishing to convert within a period, giving you a social framework for assimilating the experience. You will be asked to talk to a priest or deacon, or perhaps to a layperson who is experienced in the conversion process. He will ask you why you wish to become Catholic and in general, talk to you to be sure you are sincere in your desire and are aware of the conditions of being Catholic.

5.If you continue on in the process, you'll start taking Catholic education classes, also known as RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. You will learn the history of the Church, the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order of celebration of Mass. During this stage, many classes have you attending Mass for only part of the time, leaving before communion, as you may not receive Eucharist until you have entered the Church.

6.If you're lucky enough to become Catholic around Easter, you'll get to be baptized (if you haven't been baptized before), receive your first communion, and be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, the special Mass held the evening before Easter Sunday (your first reconciliation will be held sometime before).



7.If you have been baptized before into a church recognized by Catholics as a Christian one (Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are examples of those not considered Christians by the Church), your baptism is valid and you do not have to be baptized again. If you have not been baptized, or been baptized into a non-Christian Church you will be baptized in a Catholic Church.

8. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (available on Amazon, with a red cover) is an excellent introduction to the doctrine and prayer of the church. It also is a fairly easy read. Catholicism for Dummies is also useful. Even if you are just asking questions, but not sure that you want to become Catholic, you can approach a priest, deacon or parish staff member to answer your questions. They will probably be more than glad to set up a time to talk with you.

There are many excellent web sites that can help you plug into the daily prayer tradition of the church. Check out www.universalis.com, www.sacredspace.ie, or www.pray-as-you-go.org.

Many missals have the order of Mass with responses and times to sit, stand, or kneel in the front or back.

[list][list]
A) The Solution, the Answer is not reading books to become Catholic or lot of phone calls. It is signing up for the RCIA Classes nearby to become Catholic. That is the Phone call needed. RCIA usually begins with School year, and finishes with The Sacraments, And Very beautifully Becoming Full Catholic Easter Sunday, in a Memorable beautiful Life event. Was same 1800 Years ago, with Catechumens in the Catacombs.[list]
B) And best way to enjoy, learn Catholicism now is watching Mother Angelica's awesome EWTN, available 140 Countries and EWTNLive.com. Catholic Church is the Most Beautiful thing in Life! Is the Most Ideal Organization, Because it Is the Lord's > Matt 16:18-19.[list]
C) All the negatives one hears about the Church are phony stories. The RCC is THE Fastest growing Church in the USA, per the National Conference of Christian Churches February statistics on All Churches. And the Rampant Media hype about Pedophelia Ignores the (1) The RCC had/has the tiniest pedophilia rate of any large organization in the world.....About 1% during the last 60 years, vs 30% currently among other faiths, (2) The Problem was 40 Years ago, after confusionj of Vatican II. (3) 'All the rules, regulations' are to 'keep us out of trouble', like affairs, and to perfect us, thereby strengthening us. Public Laws are the Same, but are arrestable.[list]
D)Try, enjoy, love EWTN, and study the local Mass, which is the 2,000 year old"last Supper Feast", and the "Sign of Peace" was begun by the Apostles, to unite with Christ and congregation In Church. EWTN teaches so Much of this. Live in Jesus. Tony

[Sailka]

Originally Posted by PraiseGodxJMJ

The Catholic Church is often identified with guilt and strict rules. After attending a few masses and befriending a few Catholics, you will find this to be an unfair characterization. There are many common misconceptions about the Church which may cause you to look away without giving them a closer look. Find a well-versed Catholic friend, and he or she will probably be able to give you an answer. Until you are a member of the Catholic Church, you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist.

IT IS A SACRILAGE TO TAKE PART IN THIS EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT CATHOLIC! You cannot abuse the Eucharist!

It is unlikely that any action will be taken against you, but the Church asks you to respect its traditions. The Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ, no longer bread and wine. Remember that Paul says that, "Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27,29).
Going to confession is great too!

Above all, do not convert for someone else. Only convert if it is truly what you believe. also go to www.fisheaters.com-- and www.EWTN.com--and www.Catholicscomehome.org

• Why all the problems and warnings that are not appropriate for this person? The Catholic Church is All Positive, ideal, idealistc. Pls see # 42

[Sailka]

Originally Posted by Gresham

I dropped in at the local parish about 2 months ago and spoke to a priest about converting. We talked for about 10 min. He said that he was leaving in a few days for a vacation. He gave me a book to read and asked that I get in touch with him during the 1st week of May. Well thats where I'm having problems...I have called several times and left messages, I have even stopped back by the parish and spoke to the associate pastor who said he would pass along the message. I told him that I have unyielding passion to do God's work and I just wanted information on becoming Catholic. It has been over a week and still no phone call.
Simply said, I'm almost heart broken. I have spent alot of time working out my conversion, this is a big deal to me.
It seems for them, they are in no rush for me to join the Church at all.

What can I do. I hate to keep bothering them. It seems that if they wanted to call me back, they would.

God Bless you on your beautiful, easy journey. Its very simple: Call nearest Catholic Churches to ask when their RCIA Begins. Is how one becomes Catholic, and ideally.Now start watching the fascinating, most beasutiful, most informative Catholic EWTN, now in 140 Countries. Also see #42.