Thousands in U.S. to Join (Catholic) Church - Many Feel They Have Found a Home

Zenit News Agency ^ | March 12, 2008

[NYer]

WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Tens of thousands of Americans will join the Catholic Church this Holy Saturday through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Many of those in the RCIA program participated in the Rite of Election with their bishops at the beginning of Lent and will be baptized, confirmed and receive Communion for the first time this Saturday. More, who already have been baptized, will embrace full membership in the Catholic Church.

The numbers vary across dioceses. The Diocese of Orange, California, for example, will baptize more than 650 people and welcome more than 500 others into full communion at the Easter Vigil.

The Archdiocese of Detroit registers some of the largest numbers with 589 catechumens receiving full initiation and 497 candidates from other Christian traditions being received into full communion. Although technically not part of the RCIA, 289 baptized Catholics will also receive confirmation and Eucharist.

In Ohio, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will welcome during the Easter Vigil 437 catechumens and 541 candidates for a total of 978 people; another 65 candidates were brought into the Church at other times during the year.

Most of those coming into the Church through the RCIA program are adults, but in some instances children are part of both groups, usually as members of a family that enters the Church together.

According to early figures from the 2007 Official Catholic Directory, last year almost 64,500 adults were baptized in the Catholic Church and nearly 93,000 came into full communion.

These numbers are supplemented by the baptisms of infants that occur in parishes throughout the year. It is estimated that more than a million infant baptisms will take place in the U.S. during 2008.

Search is over

The backgrounds of the people seeking to be baptized or to enter into full communion by receiving first Communion and/or confirmation vary, but many express the sentiment that they are coming home.

Mark Ma, a second year student at the University of Virginia, who has a major in economics and a minor in philosophy, was born in Beijing, to agnostic parents.

A self-defined hard-line atheist through high school, he started talking to Christians of different denominations, read a few Christian works and began to pray.

After soul searching and historical research he found his home in the Catholic Church.

In another instance, when Kimberly Grub moved from Texas to Rhode Island, she decided to embark up on something she’d been wanting to do for a long time -- get closer to God.

Feeling the discomfort that comes in moving to a new place, she found comfort and community at St. Lucy’s Church in Middletown, and will become a member of the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an ancient rite that was reinstituted in the Church following the Second Vatican Council. It is the usual means for adults to come into the Church.

[veritas2002]

For years we have talked about ‘Mass attendance’ as the criterion to look at when we define someone’s Catholicism. Of late, I have come to the conclusion that a more significant indicator of one’s active participation in our faith is whether or not one accesses the sacrament of confession. What was the sacrament that Protestant Revolt ushered out the door? Confession. What was the first sacrament to fall from radar screen post Vatican II? Confession. Catholic’s coming home to the Church will not be marked best by their return to Mass but by their frequenting of the Sacrament of Confession. And why is this significant? Because when one goes to confession one relinquishes the sin of our society - relativism which says that I am the determiner of good and evil in this work (a la Adam), I am God, and there is no objective truth. There are many Catholics sitting in the pews attending Mass who have not been to confession in years. They receive communion despite their sin and continue to have their faith eroded. I was one who never missed Mass but it wasn’t until I went to confession that my faith began to turn around. On another note, I would bet my life savings that NONE of those priest homosexual/pedophiles were frequent receivers of the Sacrament of Confession, although they said Mass daily for the most part.

[papertyger]

We are welcoming them back with open arms.

That might be a bit of a stretch. The lay leadership, in many cases, are NOT gratified by "growing pains."

[Nihil Obstat]

I’m not sure, but it’s a big parish. We have four good, faithful priests and two deacons. 3 masses a day during the week and 6 or 7 masses on Sunday.

[Antoninus]

In our parish church, we’ve got about 7 or 8 pews reserved at the front for RCIA folks who will become Catholics this Easter. Not too shabby!

[OLD REGGIE]

But do not cancel out that thanks to the RCIA and the efforts of JPII and B16 to have also the “youth”, people between the ages of 16-40 step up to the plate as well as the Hispanics. This is the effects of the famous “JPII generation” for also seeing a resurge of the RCC in the USA.

Would you consider it reasonable for me to ask you to reference studies which show a "resurge of the RCC in the USA"?

I will not stoop so low as to intimate you are not being truthful as A.A. Cunningham seemed to do in his request of Ottofire. (See post #12.)

[OLD REGGIE]

No doubt you’ll be able to post a link to that poll so (1) the methodology can be checked and (2) we can find out if you’re being truthful.

Try the Pew Report for one:

While those Americans who are unaffiliated with any particular religion have seen the greatest growth in numbers as a result of changes in affiliation, Catholicism has experienced the greatest net losses as a result of affiliation changes. While nearly one-in-three Americans (31%) were raised in the Catholic faith, today fewer than one-in-four (24%) describe themselves as Catholic. These losses would have been even more pronounced were it not for the offsetting impact of immigration. The Landscape Survey finds that among the foreign-born adult population, Catholics outnumber Protestants by nearly a two-to-one margin (46% Catholic vs. 24% Protestant); among native-born Americans, on the other hand, Protestants outnumber Catholics by an even larger margin (55% Protestant vs. 21% Catholic). Immigrants are also disproportionately represented among several world religions in the U.S., including Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

THE PEW FORUM

One interesting section of the Pew Report:

PORTRAITS - ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION

Now I imagine you'd be willing to provide "truthful" links which debunk the Pew Report?

[Ottofire]

Thanks Old Reggie. I thought I saw that one on FR, but I might be mistaken.

As for being called a liar, it is hard for ones preconceptions to be questioned, especially preconceptions that HAVE to be right, and it doesn’t matter what you do or say, as long as it is in defense of those preconceptions.

A certain Catholic has called me a liar before, and said worse about my character, and I just take it as a sign of spiritual immaturity. But hey, I am a total jerk sometimes too. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t need a Savior!

[bboop]

No, I think you are wrong. This is not only Hispanic immigrants. We RCIA’d a few years ago, coming in from a non-denom church. Our RCIA was FULL of young people starting out, converts from Protestant churches, all different ages. This is in a middle-income/wealthy area here in Los Angeles. Our class was all white. A friend in our Bible Study, raised Muslim (!), joined about 8 years ago. The churches around here are growing and thriving. As the Pope reins in the excesses of Vat 2 and the Church returns to health, you will see even more of this.

These numbers are impressive to me, huge!! The Holy Spirit is truly at work.

[Salvation]

Wow! That’s a big church! Three daily Masses!

[Ottofire]

>As the Pope reins in the excesses of Vat 2 and the Church returns to health, you will see even more of this.

I know you are suggesting that these excesses are a result of misinterpretation of the infallible teachings, and not Vatican II itself!

Much like the Protestants and Sola Scriptura, the Catholic church has problems interpreting its spiritually inspired revelations as well.

[OLD REGGIE]

Thanks Old Reggie. I thought I saw that one on FR, but I might be mistaken.

Yes, there was a recent thread, or two, or three on the Pew Study.

As for being called a liar, it is hard for ones preconceptions to be questioned, especially preconceptions that HAVE to be right, and it doesn’t matter what you do or say, as long as it is in defense of those preconceptions.

What I am somewhat amused about is the respondents who say "things are going great guns in my Paris, untold converts and baptisms." Of course no one has ever left the RCC in their Parish. Also, their Parish is representative of the entire country.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Just think how many thousands more will join when McCain is elected.

[RedWhiteBlue]

I became a Catholic two years ago. There were over fifty adults plus a couple of teens in my class. No Hispanics.

My husband became a Catholic last Easter. Not quite as large a group as mine, about 40. Again, no Hispanics.

Congrats on your new-found faith. But, why would the classes have many (if any) Hispanic immigrants from South or Central America? Typically, they are already Roman Catholic, so they wouldn't need to go through any classes, true? The lack of Hispanic immigrants in the classes doesn't mean that they aren't (or are) a factor in any increase in membership.

[Salvation]

Thousands in U.S. to Join (Catholic) Church - Many Feel They Have Found a Home
TURN ABOUT (Carl Olson, former Evangelical and Monday's guest on EWTN's Journey Home)
Former Southern Baptist Pastor Now a Traveling Crusader for the Catholic Church [Michael Cumbie]

All Roads Lead To Rome (A Southern Baptist's Journey into the Catholic Church)[John David Young]
Allen Hunt, Methodist Minister ...Journeys Home (Catholic, Re: Real Presence)
The Challenges and Graces of Conversion [Chris Findley]
An Open Letter...from Bishop John Lipscomb [Another TEC Bishop Goes Papist]
Unlocking the Convert's Heart [Marcus Grodi]

His Open Arms Welcomed Me [ Paul Thigpen}
Why I'm Catholic (Sola Scriptura leads atheist to Catholic Church)
From Calvinist to Catholic (another powerful conversion story) Rodney Beason
Good-bye To All That (Another Episcopalian gets ready to swim the Tiber)
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church

Bishop Steenson’s Statement to the House [of Bishops: Episcopal (TEC) to Catholic]
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson Will Become a Roman Catholic
Married man considers turn as Catholic priest
Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying

Searching For Authority (A Methodist minister finds himself surprised by Truth!)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope(Al Kresta)
The Hail Mary of a Protestant (A true story)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar(Al Kresta)

Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts (Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Rusty Tisdale (former Pentecostal)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness(Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Matt Enloe (former Baptist) [prepare to be amazed!]
THE ORTHODOX REVIVAL IN RUSSIA

Conversion Story - David Finkelstein (former Jew)
Conversion Story - John Weidner (former Evangelical)
12 Reasons I Joined the Catholic Church
Conversion Story - Tom Hunt
The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism: The Converts

John Calvin Made Me Catholic
Journey Home - May 21 - Neil Babcox (former Presbyterian) - A minister encounters Mary
Going Catholic - Six journeys to Rome
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church
A Convert's Pilgrimage [Christopher Cuddy]

From Pastor to Parishioner: My Love for Christ Led Me Home (to the Catholic Church) [Drake McCalister]
Lutheran professor of philosophy prepares to enter Catholic Church
Patty Bonds (former Baptist and sister of Dr. James White) to appear on The Journey Home - May 7
Pastor and Flock Become Catholics
Why Converts Choose Catholicism

From Calvinist to Catholic
The journey back - Dr. Beckwith explains his reasons for returning to the Catholic Church
Famous Homosexual Italian Author Returned to the Church Before Dying of AIDS
Dr. Francis Beckwith Returns To Full Communion With The Church
laetare (commentary on ordination of married Anglican convert to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles) Father Bill Lowe
Catholic Converts - Stephen K. Ray (former Evangelical)

Catholic Converts - Malcolm Muggeridge
Catholic Converts - Richard John Neuhaus
Catholic Converts - Avery Cardinal Dulles
Catholic Converts - Israel (Eugenio) Zolli - Chief Rabbi of Rome
Catholic Converts - Robert H. Bork , American Jurist (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Converts - Marcus Grodi
He Was an Evangelical Christian Until He Read Aquinas [Rob Evans]

The Scott Hahn Conversion Story
FORMER PENTECOSTAL RELATES MIRACLE THAT OCCURRED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Interview with Roy Schoeman - A Jewish Convert

[RedWhiteBlue]

Wow — that’s the first time I’ve ever said something here that received a response that contained 60 links. Were all of those links a relevant response to mine, or did you just responded to my post because it the last one this thread? I really don’t feel like looking through 60 links to see if there is anything relevant to the point that I made.

[Salvation]

**responded to my post because it the last one this thread?*

I plead guilty. Should have sent it to the poster. My mistake, please forgive me.

[Salvation]

I do, however, want people to be aware of the numerous converts to the Catholic Church. This has been going on for quite awhile.

[OLD REGGIE]

Although one in three Americans are raised Roman Catholic, only one in four adults describe themselves as such, despite the huge numbers of immigrants swelling American churches, researchers said.

"Immigration is what is keeping them afloat," said John Green, a Pew senior fellow. "If everyone who was raised Catholic stayed Catholic, it'd be a third of the country."

Catholic tradition fading in U.S.

To be sure, the traditional mainline Protestant Churches are also fading but I see none of them spamming post after post. If any did so I'd also link them to the same study.

[OLD REGGIE]

Wow — that’s the first time I’ve ever said something here that received a response that contained 60 links. Were all of those links a relevant response to mine, or did you just responded to my post because it the last one this thread? I really don’t feel like looking through 60 links to see if there is anything relevant to the point that I made.

Please don't feel you are being singled out. This is a typical response by Salvation. Don't expect a reasoned response.

[OLD REGGIE]

I do, however, want people to be aware of the numerous converts to the Catholic Church. This has been going on for quite awhile.

I owe you an apology. I replied to RedWhiteBlue before I read this post.

I believed yoou wouldn't respond because I have asked you the purpose of these kind of posts several times and have never received an answer.

Perhaps you perceived me as too confrontational. :)

In any event I see no purpose in posts such as yours. It proves nothing concerning the comings and goings between Catholics, Protestants, et al. If it were a one way street it might be meaningful but we all know such is not the case.

If you have any responsible study which disputes those found in the Pew Study please reference it.