Favorite part of RCIA?

[xChrisx]

Hey just for fun. What was everyone’s favorite part of RCIA? Any good story’s/memories you wanna share?

 

[josephback]

Hey just for fun. What was everyone’s favorite part of RCIA? Any good story’s/memories you wanna share?

Don’t have any yet. RCIA starts tomorrow. The priest did say there would be a syllabus the first night. Sounds a little like college

 

[Jeffe]

I’m very thankful for RCIA, it introduced me to many new and current parishioners that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Although the classes themselves were kind of lacking…

 

[Marie5890]

I’m very thankful for RCIA, it introduced me to many new and current parishioners that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Although the classes themselves were kind of lacking…

Admittedly I had done so much of my own research and study prior to starting RCIA that that was my experience as well. The classes were far more basic (understandably so) for where I was at.

But it was nice to get to know the RCIA team and other others who were going thru the processes as well.

For me there was something of an element of doing the “obedient hoop jumping”.
It was a time for me to be humble.

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

Hey just for fun. What was everyone’s favorite part of RCIA?

The end.

 

[Marie5890]

It’s a very fair statement that there is a spectrum of quality when it comes to RCIA programs in various parishes.

I have heard of some that are truly excellent. I also know that some are not so much considering lack of resources and even support and training. Many parishes simply are struggling to stay a float, never mind have strength in their various ministries.

 

[Jeffe]

Admittedly I had done so much of my own research and study prior to starting RCIA that that was my experience as well. The classes were far more basic (understandably so) for where I was at.

But it was nice to get to know the RCIA team and other others who were going thru the processes as well.

For me there was something of an element of doing the “obedient hoop jumping”.
It was a time for me to be humble.

Exactly, that’s my story almost to a “T”

Still though, I am very thankful for it.

 

[MarisaJean]

I went through RCIA last year. The first night we started the priest and deacon explained that this isn’t class and it never will be. It’s a journey. Some will see their journey end at Easter Vigil and some may wait another year or so until they know and are sure. We did not have an outline of what we were going to learn, but I think it was best that way. We went through scripture and learned how to break it down and really figure out the meaning. We often got side tracked on questions…lots and lots of questions!!! But that was normal. We were all new and we all wanted to know certain things and wanted things better explained to us. I loved my journey. I looked forward to Wednesday night every week. And as every week went by I knew I was getting closer and closer to finally making the right decision for myself and my daughter. My prayers are with all of you as you begin your journey. I hope you find the peace and comfort I found.

 

[SeekNFind]

I enjoy that it’s making me curious and inspiring me to do my own research. I look forward to them going more in depth on topics that I’m not familiar with.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Leaving it.

 

[nickybr38]

When it ended. That was the best night…

RCIA was the most boring and painful experience I’ve had to sit through… I tried very hard but all I learned from it was patience.

 

[DJK100]

I was wondering if people with good experience could post what made the RCIA a good experience along with the stories (I don’t want to hijack the thread). That way it might help some RCIA teachers lurking on this site learn what works the best. Just a thought.

 

[Usige]

Quitting.

Seriously, most RCIA programs are sorely lacking. Between the September - Easter mentality and “enforced” dismissal of candidates I am surprised RCIA team members can repeat the “it’s a journey, not a process” mantra with a straight face. Dismissing those that are baptized is insulting to their status as members of the body of Christ. Because of that I will not be an RCIA sponsor in a parish that does candidate dismissal. Most RCIA “programs” treat catechumen differently from candidates in name only. When someone presents themselves they should be instructed as befits their current understanding or Catholic teachings and belief. If a candidate presents that is 100% in alignment with Church teachings what is the point of making them sit through 7 - 8 months of instruction? They should interview with the priest or bishop and be allowed to make their profession of faith at the earliest possible time.

Luckily for me I was able to find a parish that does individualized year round catechesis rather than the school year mentality.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I was wondering if people with good experience could post what made the RCIA a good experience along with the stories (I don’t want to hijack the thread). That way it might help some RCIA teachers lurking on this site learn what works the best. Just a thought.

The part I liked the most was when a priest was doing the presentation for the night, as opposed to some random lay member who would be corrected 945 times by Father who was observing. The nights a priest were to teach were really something to look forward to. The things I absolutely abhorred were these stupid handouts they gave us, something from Liguori Press. They had just about no theology in them and were basically just an apology to Protestantism. Those were a joke. I literally learned more from Youtube videos of mass. Seriously, they almost turned me off from converting. I know that sounds bad, but I can’t be blamed, as I was a naive Baptist.

I really don’t think it makes much sense in many cases that lay members run RCIA. I know many priests are busy, but are they so busy they can’t do a 7-9pm catechesis lesson once a week for the people most vulnerable to improper teaching?

 

[DJK100]

Quitting.

. When someone presents themselves they should be instructed as befits their current understanding or Catholic teachings and belief. If a candidate presents that is 100% in alignment with Church teachings what is the point of making them sit through 7 - 8 months of instruction? They should interview with the priest or bishop and be allowed to make their profession of faith at the earliest possible time.

Luckily for me I was able to find a parish that does individualized year round catechesis rather than the school year mentality.

I thought they did do this, no?

 

[TrueLight]

Quitting.

Seriously, most RCIA programs are sorely lacking. Between the September - Easter mentality and “enforced” dismissal of candidates I am surprised RCIA team members can repeat the “it’s a journey, not a process” mantra with a straight face. Dismissing those that are baptized is insulting to their status as members of the body of Christ. Because of that I will not be an RCIA sponsor in a parish that does candidate dismissal. Most RCIA “programs” treat catechumen differently from candidates in name only. When someone presents themselves they should be instructed as befits their current understanding or Catholic teachings and belief. If a candidate presents that is 100% in alignment with Church teachings what is the point of making them sit through 7 - 8 months of instruction? They should interview with the priest or bishop and be allowed to make their profession of faith at the earliest possible time.

Luckily for me I was able to find a parish that does individualized year round catechesis rather than the school year mentality.

I detest the September - April thing. I became interested in Catholicism in March and if it wasn’t for CAF, I would be like a lost lamb, attending mass and then not knowing what to do with myself.

I am blessed that I was able to find a priest to give me individual instruction in July.

I believe when someone expresses interest, they should be nurtured and put in touch with other believers even if formal catechesis can’t start right away.

 

[At_Trent]

The end.

 

[Usige]

I thought they did do this, no?

Unfortunately, no. As YoungTradCath points out, many (most?) RCIA programs are fully ran by the laity. At least that’s how it is in the 5 or 6 parishes around me.

The only reason I spoke with Father at the first parish was because I requested a meeting with him. I told him I felt God was calling me right now and I would crawl the 14 miles to the steps of the cathedral to beg the Archbishop to accept my profession of faith and he told me that he did not have the ability to confirm me before Easter. Why? Because “that’s just the way we do it.” (Note: he had full faculties to do so from the Archbishop at anytime)

We had 2 priest and 4 permanent deacons in that parish and none of them were involved in RCIA. All the instruction and interviews were done by the director of Adult Religious Ed and his team. He would only “approve” candidates be accepted into full communion if they were in danger of death before the Easter vigil.

 

[Usige]

I was wondering if people with good experience could post what made the RCIA a good experience along with the stories (I don’t want to hijack the thread). That way it might help some RCIA teachers lurking on this site learn what works the best. Just a thought.

To get back to the original topic of the thread

Some things that I have seen to work well in RCIA:

• Let people ask questions and have people who truly know the faith answer them. Make it interactive.
• Don’t use a weekly lecture style, but rather base discussions on what people are asking to know about right now.
• If you have special topics that people are passionate about, then try to bring in guest speakers. One parish I know of used to bring in instructors from the seminary or members of local religious orders.
• Try to get the clergy involved. Remember that teaching the faith is part of the priestly vocation.
• Get rid of dismissal of those that are already baptized. You can invite them, but in no way should those that are already part of the body of Christ be forced to leave mass.
• Move to year round RCIA. Not everyone is ready in September. If that’s not practical, still have on going intake sessions to catch those people. Nothing worse than hearing God’s call and then getting an answering machine telling you to call back in 4 months

I think the better RCIA programs are really attuned to the fact that people come to the church with different views and misconceptions. The instruction needs to be geared to that set of people and not a set of 30 odd lessons that are repeated year after year.

 

[Marie5890]

I really don’t think it makes much sense in many cases that lay members run RCIA. I know many priests are busy, but are they so busy they can’t do a 7-9pm catechesis lesson once a week for the people most vulnerable to improper teaching?

I do agree with your above statement on many levels. But I also have to be fair to just how busy many priest and deacons are.

For example, in my parish alone, my pastor is also the Director of Divine Worship for the Archdiocese and our deacon is the head of the Diaconate for the Archdiocese.

To say that they are busy is truly an understatement for these two men. And I expect it’s just as true for many priests and deacons.

I know our RCIA team tries our best in our very imperfect way. And I know, having gone thru it, how in many ways it’s lacking.
But the truth is if I were being honest, I was not the typical candidate when I went thru with my extensive research.
Most of our RCIA candidates and one catechuman, were of little religious and spiritual background. A very in depth styled RCIA program would have them dropping out if it were too over their heads.

Sometimes it’s really the basics taught in a simple manner than many who join RCIA needs (think Baltimore Catechism simple, presented in a way appropriate for adults)

Those who have attended RCIA in my parish havent read the Bible and have a only the typical secular (if that) of the Nativity and Easter simple because of the way those Holy Days are present in this secular society.

I give great kudos to those laymen who step up to the RCIA plate to fulfill the needs of their parishes. When many people’s extent to being part of their parish community pretty much is limited to attending Mass (and I am so not knockign that), it would be helpful if they felt draw to teach the faith.