Considering teaching RCIA

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Matt241

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Hi. The Certificate in Pastoral Liturgy course I’m currently doing has as one of it’s electives “Initiation into the Liturgical Assembly”. I’ve always had a strong faith and have always been forthcoming if anyone asked me any questions about my faith, and answered honestly. I wondered if any of you were currently active in RCIA and were willing to share some of your experiences/thoughts on the ministry. It seems very worthwhile. My lecturer took us up to meet some of the candidates after the Rite of Election at the Wollongong Cathedral, and we had the opportunity to speak to some of them and get to know them. They all seemed very open and wanted to get to know us, which was very encouraging.
 
There are a number of RCIA directors and team members here, so if you have questions, ask away.

The very first thing I would steer you away from is the idea of “teaching” RCIA. It’s not a class. Get to know the rite inside out so that you have a good understanding of the Church’s vision for RCIA.
 
From the perspective of someone who recently completed RCIA as a catechumen, I can only say I hope if you feel called to help teach, that you do. I was amazed at how each of our Catechists were perfect for the particular topic they spoke on.
 
Having just completed RCIA this year, I found it to be one of the most life changing experiences I had ever encountered. The “Team” shared various duties and worked together with our Associate Priest to guide us through the curriculum. We became very close and I know I will remember their kindness, patience and understanding for the rest of my life. It is a spiritual and emotional journey, and I witnessed wonderful emotional commitment from our lecturers.
I think your consideration to offer yourself to our Faith in this manner is wonderful. I just think your preparation for the journey needs to be intricately explored. God Bless You!
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
There are a number of RCIA directors and team members here, so if you have questions, ask away.

The very first thing I would steer you away from is the idea of “teaching” RCIA. It’s not a class. Get to know the rite inside out so that you have a good understanding of the Church’s vision for RCIA.
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Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut, SuscipeMeDomine. I’ll get some RCIA materials and have a read through.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
This is the text with adaptations for the United States: ltp.org/p-1662-rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults.aspx There should be something similar for Australia. A good jumping off point is Team RCIA: teamrcia.com/
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Thanks for the link. I am learning by listening and watching our deacon. I appreciate everything he is doing, but wanted to learn more. I signed up to receive the emails and will begin to study on this site. It is a great gift to work with those who are inquiring and see the light of faith take hold and flourish.
 
If you are called to do this, I hope you will answer God’s call --regardless of any pros and cons you may find at this time. God bless you!
 
This is my first year as an RCIA instructor. The folks I work with are seniors who are free for the first time in their lives to pursue their desire to join the Church.

SuscipeMeDomine hit the nail on the head when they said,
The very first thing I would steer you away from is the idea of “teaching” RCIA. It’s not a class.
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In Youth Formation, the teacher asks the children questions about things they haven’t thought about yet. But adults, particularly older adults have their own questions, many stemming from a relationship with Christ that has already begun with a call to Him. We facilitate and enable them to find their answers in Scripture and Church teaching, but most of in prayer.

That doesn’t mean there is no place for a curriculum. You just can’t approach older people from a didactic stance like you would a child who has limited life experience. What a curriculum can do is prepare you to address the questions catechumens and candidates have when they ask them. It also gives you topics of discussion to bring up so you can make sure they get everything they need.

The Catechism of the Church is a compendium. It is a well constructed curriculum itself, but it was designed for a lifetime. (To make an 81 or 93 year old wait 3-7yrs to complete a course of study in order to receive the Sacraments of initiation is obscene.) The content of this journey must give them what they need to receive the Lord, yet show them how to use prayer, sacraments, Revelation to keep growing in His love.

The priest will be playing a crucial role in RCIA than Youth formation. Children receive an introduction to prayer but these adults, must developed a solid spiritual life. Effective Catechisis must be part study group and part spiritual direction/pastoral care. Otherwise, there’s a risk that they are going to become the statistic that 1 out of 3 catechumens will no longer practice after 3 years in the Church.

Finally, don’t neglect your own spiritual life. Teaching prayer is not praying. It’s too easy to get lost in everything that has to be done, especially around Easter Vigil when the most important thing is to join the Church in rejoicing in the Resurrection.
 
Joined the Church this Easter. I’m eager to eventually be on the RCIA core team myself.

Keep us updated! Lots of great info and wisdom here. :thumbs up:
 
Teaching RCIA and Catechism has been some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Since about 1998, one thing I can always look forward to is my next class. And for the first time, instead of taking the summer off, I’m doing a kind of open-ended adult lecture series, first one of 12 is posted here:

youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6PJShBcWXV9UY2XQUCexp8VGqkNLXnRG

Want to learn about something? Teach it. Have a blast!
 
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