Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

After some careful consideration and several years spent outside the faith, I have decided to convert to Catholicism.

Several reasons for this move: 1) after many years living a dissolute life, I received an epiphany that my life was not going in the right direction and that I needed to return to communion with God and his Church. My family his Baptist, but I know of no Baptist churches in my area where I would feel a sense of community, and as I've been reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I've been struck by his comments about the efficacy of the Catholic Church and its position as a unifying force in Western civilization (I must also note that my interest in Medieval history has also had an impact on my interest in the Church, although my understanding is largely historical). Attending an event for catechists with my girlfriend, who teaches a 2nd grade Sunday school class, I learned that one of women present had converted to Catholicism. This intrigued me, so I set out to find some information about it. I found information about the RICA classes, but unfortunately they don't start until September.

And 2) my girlfriend is Catholic, as is her family, and as I intend to marry her and join her family, I would like to do this to show my commitment to her and avoid the strain of belonging to different denominations.

So, if their are any Catholics on this board who wish to, I would ask for any recommendations for reading. I picked up Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's Intro to the CCC and found to be quite illuminating, and I have also purchased of the Catechism to read and study.

Also, if you could give me some background if you've been through RICA classes yourself or about confirmation etc. Thanks.

for me. :) One of the things that was illuminating about the process for him was that there was no bashing of the religion he had come from. Just a warm welcome to him :)

...I highly recommend this book: "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" : The Life and Stories of St. Francis of Assisi by Margaret Mayo.
This is an inspirational book that will fit in nicely with your conversion to Catholicism. It is a great book for anyone of any faith, or non faith.

and they do make mixed marriages so difficult that this is a real advantage. If your fiancee wants to be married in her church, you'd have to sign an agreement to bring the kids up Catholic, among other things.

Catholics as a group are more liberal than their Protestant counterparts, and that's another advantage, although you'll still find the true believer types who try to make everybody else miserable by trying to send them to hell. Catholics also believe in the power of one's individual conscience and the ability to listen to that small voice within when it comes to making moral decisions. Most use birth control, in other words.

You might find it a congenial religion, and you might not. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

has been asking some question about how we would raise our children, etc., so this would take that out of the equation, and it would endear her grandmother to me forever. :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824514661/qid=1116025927/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-8952909-4158363?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

"The People's Catechism: Catholic Faith for Adults : Catholic Faith for Adults", except for some homosexual bashing (which I disagree with but it is still the formal teaching) in some of the first part it is not that bad.

I am a "cradle Catholic" and I went through when we had a progressive Bishop (who now has passed away). Depending on the parish you may get fire and brimstone, rules and dogma above all etc... style teachings, or you may get a more open minded, social justice style teaching. If it is possible, "shop around" for local parishes to do this. Go with one in an open parish that stresses hospitality for everyone and is not hung up on every little rule.

The pastoral letters of the late Bishop Lucker of the New Ulm, MN diocese may be enjoyable for you to show you that the church does not live soley in the building but is more in the outside world above all other things.
http://www.dnu.org/news/lucker/luckerbook.html

The CCC book you mentoned from Ratzinger is the more "regressive" form, as Ratzinger (who is now Pope Ben XVI) probably wrote that when he was the enforcer at the Vatican in the renamed office of the Inquisition. While as Pope his writings are more moderate and very complicated, take this book with a grain of salt and realize that you may need to learn some of the rules to get in to the church but they are far from the end all of spiritual discussion.

Edit: If you really want to take it to the next level after RCIA, also consider this book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570754799/104-8952909-4158363?v=glance&n=283155

"Revelation and the Church: Vatican II in the Twenty-First Century"

It gives a nice discussion about what teachings have changed in the past and which ones could change in the future.

is quite welcoming and don't seem to be "hung up on every little rule" (as you say), which is why I would like to take my RICA classes there - having attended mass there and finding it to be a comfortable place.

I recently read Pope Benedict enyclical on Love and found it very enlightening. The intro to the CCC is tame. Written along with Christoph Schonborn, it just gives a basic outline of the Catechism and what to expect from each part.

I attended a Catholic university, and I took a class in which we discussed social justice in relation to Vatican II, so the book you mentioned should be very interesting.

And thanks for the links.

I have them because I am in the Catholic Charities JustFaith 30 week course. If your diocese has it, you should take part in it.

http://www.justfaith.org/

I looked but you cannot order it through their website yet, but check out "Credible Signs of Christ Alive: Case Studies from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development".
http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com/

It is probably too new to be posted. Keep this ISBN number for future reference: 0-7425-3167-8

Another good book is "The Challenge and Spirituality of Catholic Social Teaching"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976520311/qid=1141265604/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-8952909-4158363?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

This is also another book that is being used in this year's JustFaith course.

I do have other books to recommend if you want more reading.

I went through RICA about 5 years ago.

Make sure any books you read that don't come from your priest , bear the imprimatur of the church.It is usually on the title page.

"An Imprimatur is an official declaration from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church that a literary or similar work is free from error in matters of Roman Catholic doctrine and morals, and hence acceptable reading for faithful Roman Catholics." (Wiki)

Have they told you if it is a one year course? It usually ends at Easter after you make your first confession. Some people in my class wanted to study a second year.I loved the class but was surprised to find that Catholics don't read the Bible as much as Protestants.

Good luck. La Lady

The church has information about the RICA classes online and they end around Easter. I wish I could start now, but since I have the time, I've decided to do some research, so I'm not going into this completely blind.