10 Reasons why Catholics don't Evangelize

[RandomAlias]

I imagine the approach taken in the 30 second elevator speech, let’s say the script, would depend on the person you are talking to. Like we say around here (Too often? Is it trite?), you have to start from where they are.

 

[NickyMaz]

the 30 second elevator speech, let’s say the script, would depend on the person you are talking to. Like we say around here (Too often? Is it trite?), you have to start from where they are.

Absolutely, my friend is coming from a protestant background, but if I was talking to an atheist or other non-Christian I’d tailor my ‘script’ to their P.O.V.

 

[MonteRCMS]

Another thing that has become bureaucratized.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

When my dad converted, he just needed to find a priest and take a couple months of weekly classes on Catholic beliefs. He didn’t need to wait till fall, then take a months-long series of heaven knows what about “how to build a relationship with Jesus” and then get admitted in a big Easter ceremony. I appreciate that the RCIA changes may have been in part to make converts feel more a part of the faith community or make us more aware of them or something, but I don’t think it was a positive change. It might be a great option for some, but if somebody is already a baptized Christian, has a working knowledge of the Gospel and just wants to join ASAP, I would think there could be a fast-track, no frills, no pomp road to admission.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Some flexibility would be good

 

[NickyMaz]

This is a great point. I’m moving to a new state in April and I’m hoping to get involved in the RCIA program at my new parish, maybe with more instructors we can have greater flexibility to get folks through the process faster.

My friend who is considering converting was born and raised christian, baptized and he’s read the catechism cover to cover, this is someone we should be able to get through very quickly. My fear is he’ll be told ‘oh we don’t start classes until the fall and you’ll have to wait until next Easter to be confirmed’.

 

[DarkLight]

I admit I only attended half of RCIA. I was in grad school and evening classes were regular and unavoidable. I’m still around.

 

[Suudy]

The RCIA process and model needs to be addressed. How many new converts fall through the cracks after Easter?

I have to say my parish did a great job. When I was in RCIA, we would from time-to-time, receive cards from parishoners letting us know they were praying for us. And after the Easter vigil, there was a large social where we were each met by our “adoptive” families (that we had never met) who gave us cards and miscellaneous items, such as medals, holy cards, scapulars, etc. It was an immediate welcome that stuck with me.

How many simply don’t go because it’s offered at only one time during the week, or because it only begins in the Fall?

I think this is the toughest, especially for those already well along their journey of conversion and are just “jumping through the hoops” waiting to be received into the Church. I know there are cases where the priest meets privately with an individual and they can be baptized (if necessary) and confirmed quickly. For my part, I was one of those already convinced and (I think) well read on Catholic teaching. I learned very little in RCIA from a doctrine/dogma standpoint. But I still went the entire year (two years actually–long story). I think the RE director or priest needs to do a thorough job identifying the potential converts for their needs. But this is on a parish level, not something I think can be done through an overall RCIA process retooling.

(Too long! Continuing next post.)

 

[Suudy]

Continued …

And what about RCIA for people who are already Catholic? How do we better catechize the people in the pews?

Well, since RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation, the people who are already Catholic are already initiated, this is a different process. Absolutely there is a need for catechesis and an effort for continued learning. And what I’ve found after coming in from Assembly of God, is that there is almost zero of this. What little that exists is entirely lay run. I’ve never attended a Bible study presided over by a priest. Or had evening talks/lessons from the priest. Or even some sort of offline study that is facilitated by a priest. I have had an RE that is very involved in catechesis, but it is entirely devoted to children, such as first communion, confirmation, youth groups, or teen Bible studies. The few Bible studies I’ve seen have always been led by retired individuals or homemakers and done during the week.

Now, we recently have received some support from our priest for things like That Man is You and The Fathers of St Joseph. The former is 100% lay, and we have trouble getting anyone under the age of about 40 to attend. The latter requires a deacon or a priest to assist, and getting their time is very difficult.

However, go to any protestant church in our area, and they have nightly group meeting and Bible studies, often led by one of their numerous pastors (or wives) or “elders.” But it seems the average protestant pastor has significantly more religious education than the average RE I’ve met at parishes. Even the “elders” at these protestant churches go through extensive training (not degrees, but significant training). But every Catholic parish I’ve been a member of lacks this kind of training. It seems only the priest, deacons, and (hopefully, but not guaranteed) the RE director, has any extensive training. And I think most lay people in a Catholic parish are very reluctant to be any kind of instructor with that kind of training. If this is going to happen, it will require people to step up, get trained, and take the initiative to lead others.

 

[Clare]

With my RCIA I never had to wait, I met the priest and we started it a few months later, it was actually around October time but that’s more because it was when we were both available to start it. However there’s no RE team or RCIA director or anyone like that where I am, so it was just a case of being when the priest and I were both free.

I love talking about Catholicism, however I am far more comfortable talking about it with people I know have some faith.