4Real Forums: Preparing our girls to be received.....

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Domestic Church
4Real Forums : Domestic Church

Topic: Preparing our girls to be received.....

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Martha in VA
Forum Pro

Joined: Nov 15 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 496

Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 9:59pm \| IP Logged

As is evident by my signature line, I will be received into the Church at Easter Vigil. Recently, we met with the head priest at our parish to inquire about the possibility of our girls being received (the older 3) at the same time. We also explained our desire to do their religious ed. at home. He wholeheartedly blessed both requests. I have received a stack of workbooks - 1 for each daughter - and now I just don't know where to begin. I had hoped the topics in each workbook would line up so they could all progress through them together during our family devotion time.....but they don't. It's just not our "style" to send each child off with her own workbook to learn the stuff. I know I want our family to experience the learning together but I'm really not sure how to go about it. I'm not really enthusiastic about these workbooks yet I have this fear that they will be deemed "NOT READY" if we don't follow the same course as the other children in the parish.

I guess my question is what do they REALLY need to be prepared spiritually, emotionally, intellectually for this?!? Will they actually be questioned? I just don't know what to expect for them. Since we come from an Anglican background, much of the theology is the same. They understand the sacraments. The big differences are theology on Mary and the Pope.

I appreciate any wisdom and encouragement you can offer about how we should proceed.

__________________
Blessed wife & mom to
4dds,miracle son 4/09, 2 in heaven
My Conversion Blog
Our Family Blog

MicheleQ
Forum All-Star

Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2193

Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 10:29pm \| IP Logged

Martha in VA wrote:

I guess my question is what do they REALLY need to be prepared spiritually, emotionally, intellectually for this?!? Will they actually be questioned? I just don't know what to expect for them. Since we come from an Anglican background, much of the theology is the same. They understand the sacraments. The big differences are theology on Mary and the Pope.

Martha,

Since you are coming from an Anglican background I would say that what your children need before full initiation is a clear understanding of those things that are uniquely Catholic. If they understand the sacraments that's a good place to start. You need to make sure that their understanding of the sacraments is fully Catholic as there may be some differences. I'm not well versed enough on Anglicanism to know what the differences may be, but if your children were in my RCIA group I would make sure they gained a clear, Catholic, understanding. And yes, by all means teach them about Mary and Papal authority and the Magisterium.

Spiritually speaking, pray with them and work to help them develop and/or deepen their interior life. Prepare them for the sacrament of Reconciliation and be sure they understand the Truth of Christ's body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Spend time in adoration if you can - it will help a lot.

Most likely they won't be questioned at the Easter vigil but they should have an interview with the pastor before the Rite of Election and possibly again before Easter to determine their readiness. BUT, don't let that scare you. They won't be expected to know everything but rather what will be looked for are signs of conversion and a willingness to grow in understanding of the Faith.

I wouldn't use the Faith First books personally - I'd get something like Faith and Life or just read the CCC and talk about it with them (it's a living book - they'll get it - trust me).

God bless you and please know that I will include you all in my prayers as I pray for all the candidates and catechumens makng this journey towards Easter.

__________________
Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com

JodieLyn
Forum Moderator

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234

Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 1:21am \| IP Logged

MicheleQ wrote:

You need to make sure that their understanding of the sacraments is fully Catholic

This is exactly what I was thinking.. here in general.. they work on some basic prayers in the younger ages and then specifics for the sacraments as they come up. You'll probably want to especially cover baptism, reconciliation, and Eucharist.

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com