Becoming a full catholic

tea_lover

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Alpha courses are ecumenical in nature so would be as suitable for a Catholic as for any other Christian.

Ah, I didn't know that!

missbiggles1

tea_lover wrote: »

Ah, I didn't know that!

https://catholics.alpha.org/

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/justin.welby.alpha.is.now.used.in.more.catholic.than.anglican.parishes/38247.htm

Torry_Quine

As others have said you need to be doing this for the right reasons. Are you a Christian and do you follow the tenets of the church? If so then I would say go to church and speak to someone.

iammumtoone

maman wrote: »

Having plans to be taken 'fully into the church ' (which I assume means confirmation) seems jumping the gun a bit to me.

Why? its what the OP wants, nobody is forcing her.

Nothing is undoable if later she decides its not for her, she can become non-practicing or even convert to another religion if she choices.

I am CofE I am non practicing but do go to church on the odd occasion, they always welcome me, remember me from last time and there is never any pressure to attend regually or 'join'.

tea_lover

iammumtoone wrote: »

Why? its what the OP wants, nobody is forcing her.

Nothing is undoable if later she decides its not for her, she can become non-practicing or even convert to another religion if she choices.

I am CofE I am non practicing but do go to church on the odd occasion, they always welcome me, remember me from last time and there is never any pressure to attend regually or 'join'.

Because confirmation is an important decision and a holy sacrament. Fantastic if the op decides it is for her, but she probably needs to at least go to church before making that choice.

iammumtoone

tea_lover wrote: »

Because confirmation is an important decision and a holy sacrament. Fantastic if the op decides it is for her, but she probably needs to at least go to church before making that choice.

I do understand that its not a decision to be taken lightly and certainly not one to do if you intend to leave at a later date. But the OP seems to have thought about it, been to see the church, the church seem happy enough with her decision and commitment and have invited her to join them. I don't see what else she is expected to do apart from that.

Nobody can say that 100% it will be a lifelong commitment as nobody knows the future all anyone can say is at this moment I am prepared and expect to be fully committed for life.

TBagpuss

http://www.rcia.org.uk/enquirers/ might be helpful.
I'm sure that your local church will be able to advise you but so far as the specific issues are concerned, there is no bar on a widow or widower remarrying, so your former marriage would not be a problem (If your marriage had ended through divorce that would be a bigger issue, but not, I think, necessarily insurmountable, particularly if the first marriage wasn't within the catholic church)

Kynthia

Going along and seeing if it's right for you is the first thing. Plus finding the right church for you, as they can each have their own culture is important. There's no need to rush communion and confirmation as they are big steps to be taken only when you are sure.

Plenty of people go to mass, marry, have their babies baptised, and have never been confirmed. The subject doesn't even come up. However I'm fairly sure you can't take the bread and wine if you haven't had your first holy communion. If you want to go up for a blessing then just keep your hands and head down.

I'm fairly sure you can respect his families religion without practicing it though. So after you've found out more don't feel tge need to go further if it's not for you. You and your partner agreeing how to raise your children is the main thing and it's not his family's decision.

Andypandyboy

Kynthia wrote: »

Going along and seeing if it's right for you is the first thing. Plus finding the right church for you, as they can each have their own culture is important. There's no need to rush communion and confirmation as they are big steps to be taken only when you are sure.

Plenty of people go to mass, marry, have their babies baptised, and have never been confirmed. The subject doesn't even come up. However I'm fairly sure you can't take the bread and wine if you haven't had your first holy communion. If you want to go up for a blessing then just keep your hands and head down.

I'm fairly sure you can respect his families religion without practicing it though. So after you've found out more don't feel tge need to go further if it's not for you. You and your partner agreeing how to raise your children is the main thing and it's not his family's decision.

If you state you are RC, the subject does come up and usually you are confirmed before the wedding.

I agree, with your other points though, except, that if you marry in an RC church you are explicitly committing to bringing children up as members of the faith as it is in the vows.

chesky

I don't think the OP has thought this through to its logical conclusion. She becomes converted to Catholicism, takes all the teachings very seriously. Fianc! - non-practicing remember - doesn't enjoy the thought of living with someone who he sees as too religious. End of relationship.