L
lakotak
Guest
What training should a Catholic receive that is going to be teaching or facilitating in the RCIA Program?
- Status
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
I don’t think everyone necessarily needs the same background. Different talents/skills/knowledge in different areas is beneficial. I would say the two things I want from every member of the team are 1) people who love their Catholic faith and 2) people who will participate in accordance with the mind and heart of the Church.
\Within the team someone should be knowledgeable about the rite itself, what is called for at different stages, the liturgical aspects of RCIA, etc. Someone should be knowledgeable about Catholic teaching/theology/practices and able to explain things well. Someone should be familiar with spiritual direction/support/mentorship. It’s helpful if someone on the team is the nurturing/hospitality person. Someone on the team should be comfortable with leading prayer.
If you have people with expertise in more than one area that’s great. If you have more than one person in each area that’s also great.
\Within the team someone should be knowledgeable about the rite itself, what is called for at different stages, the liturgical aspects of RCIA, etc. Someone should be knowledgeable about Catholic teaching/theology/practices and able to explain things well. Someone should be familiar with spiritual direction/support/mentorship. It’s helpful if someone on the team is the nurturing/hospitality person. Someone on the team should be comfortable with leading prayer.
If you have people with expertise in more than one area that’s great. If you have more than one person in each area that’s also great.
E
eschator83
Guest
I’m imagining that you’re wondering what sort of reading/training should be offered to–or undertaken by–someone who has been invited to join their Parish RCIA team. Based on my attendance at almost 20 years of Diocesan meetings for RCIA teams, I can assure you that in at least one Diocese there is a very wide range of RCIA practices and processes–even though all seem generally to be following the very explicit guideline from the Holy See about the nature and process of the RCIA rite itself.
I endorse entirely the foregoing comments of SPM–I think they reflect St Paul’s teaching that each of us has been given unique gifts of faith by the Holy Spirit. RCIA team members usually are selected because their gifts have been recognized and appreciated by their Parish community. I have never heard that specifc study was requested of any RCIA team, although I personally encourage all Catholics to read our very excellent Catechism, a book on the lives of the Saints, a book of daily devotions, a book on prayer, and a book on the life of their closest and favorite patron saint.
I endorse entirely the foregoing comments of SPM–I think they reflect St Paul’s teaching that each of us has been given unique gifts of faith by the Holy Spirit. RCIA team members usually are selected because their gifts have been recognized and appreciated by their Parish community. I have never heard that specifc study was requested of any RCIA team, although I personally encourage all Catholics to read our very excellent Catechism, a book on the lives of the Saints, a book of daily devotions, a book on prayer, and a book on the life of their closest and favorite patron saint.
B
Bartolome_Casas
Guest
Really, the RCIA teacher should just:
(a) know the basics of the Faith
(b) be living a faithful, devout Catholic life
(c) believe that the Catholic Faith is real, is important, and should be taken seriously.
The RCIA materials make it pretty easy for both the teacher and learner.
The teacher does not need to have an in-depth knowledge of Catholic history or Catholic theology. Suppose someone asks a complex question about the doctrine of the Trinity, or about the Crusades or the Inquisition. Just say you don’t know, and move on. Just cover what is in the RCIA curriculum. That is more than enough. For people who want more, they can go to Catholic Answers Forums, Catholic.com tracts, or the Vatican web site, or 1,000s of other Catholic web sites.
As I see it, these are the ways RCIA facilitators fail their students
(1) They try to teach their own ideas instead of what is in the RCIA materials.
(2) They don’t really teach with conviction or seriousness because they themselves do not take their Catholic Faith that seriously.
(3) They try to be entertaining, or humorous (this relates to #2 above)
(4) They let the RCIA class be dominated by some participant who wants to constantly ask questions or make comments. The RCIA facilitator must be tough enough, in a diplomatic enough, to prevent attention hogs from dominating the class. There’s always one such person in every class.
That’s what I think. God bless.
K
kimg901
Guest
I had no formal training on Catholism but am happy to be helping teach RCIA. The main topics in class like The Resurrection, Pentecost, etc. are being taught by either the priest, deacon or RCIA leader(s). Other teachings are for us regular folks that dont have great knowledge of everything Catholic. We all bring our own expierences and its wonderful.
L
lakotak
Guest
Thanks so much for all your information and help.
My parish is starting a RCIA program. We are a pretty small parish. However, I will be a part of the team. I have been kinda nervous about this, but feel it is something that God wants me to do. I am also a member of the Parish Council and the Evangelization Committee. I just have felt that maybe I did not know enough to do this. However, I do know quite a lot, but maybe feel it is not enough. A person from the Archdiocese is coming to give us about 12 hours of instructions on how to present the faith and other issues too.
Thanks so much for letting me know how all this generally works. I feel better after hearing all of your thoughts and experiences.
My parish is starting a RCIA program. We are a pretty small parish. However, I will be a part of the team. I have been kinda nervous about this, but feel it is something that God wants me to do. I am also a member of the Parish Council and the Evangelization Committee. I just have felt that maybe I did not know enough to do this. However, I do know quite a lot, but maybe feel it is not enough. A person from the Archdiocese is coming to give us about 12 hours of instructions on how to present the faith and other issues too.
Thanks so much for letting me know how all this generally works. I feel better after hearing all of your thoughts and experiences.
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
If your diocese or perhaps a nearby Catholic college or university offers classes in Christian initiation, take them. If not, check with the North American Forum on the Catechumenate or the Association for Catechumenal Ministry. TeamRCIA (teamrcia.com) is another good source. Both the North American Forum and TeamRCIA offer webinars dealing with various aspects of Christian initiation.
While I picked up a lot of information by reading the ritual text along with other material online, what totally changed my views was taking a class to become certified in Christian Initiation. I gained a much stronger sense of what it is the Church wants from RCIA, her vision of the process, and what I should be doing.
While I picked up a lot of information by reading the ritual text along with other material online, what totally changed my views was taking a class to become certified in Christian Initiation. I gained a much stronger sense of what it is the Church wants from RCIA, her vision of the process, and what I should be doing.
B
bitznbitez
Guest
Speaking as someone currently in RCIA, and I think the world of our team. Be sure the overall team you have for RCIA includes protestant converts to Catholicism.
What I have observed is that very often a person in RCIA will ask a question and the cradle catholic members are unable to really grasp why the person is asking what they are asking. They give a correct answer but miss the deeper question and reasons, whereas protestant converts to the faith now serving on RCIA often understand precisely why the question is being asked and address it differently.
The reason is protestants and catholics really do think differently culturally. Of course you will have many non protestants in your RCIA class as well. Its very diverse and hard to anticipate everything.
Thanks for taking the time to serve on the team. I think you will be appreciated even if you feel unsure of yourself. Our questions come in all shapes and sizes, you will never be 100% prepared. Learn the Catholic faith and as much as you can about it.
Expect to take some questions as “I’ll follow up with more information later” or “I think there is a resource that can help with that question let me locate it and get it to you.” Both of these happen quite often in my RCIA experience, but we all understand and appreciate the honesty. If you are ever truly stumped in your RCIA leading you can always try the “punt” where you pick on someone else on the RCIA team you feel is smarter than you and say, “What do you think Bill perhaps you can help us out here ?”
What I have observed is that very often a person in RCIA will ask a question and the cradle catholic members are unable to really grasp why the person is asking what they are asking. They give a correct answer but miss the deeper question and reasons, whereas protestant converts to the faith now serving on RCIA often understand precisely why the question is being asked and address it differently.
The reason is protestants and catholics really do think differently culturally. Of course you will have many non protestants in your RCIA class as well. Its very diverse and hard to anticipate everything.
Thanks for taking the time to serve on the team. I think you will be appreciated even if you feel unsure of yourself. Our questions come in all shapes and sizes, you will never be 100% prepared. Learn the Catholic faith and as much as you can about it.
Expect to take some questions as “I’ll follow up with more information later” or “I think there is a resource that can help with that question let me locate it and get it to you.” Both of these happen quite often in my RCIA experience, but we all understand and appreciate the honesty. If you are ever truly stumped in your RCIA leading you can always try the “punt” where you pick on someone else on the RCIA team you feel is smarter than you and say, “What do you think Bill perhaps you can help us out here ?”
L
lakotak
Guest
Thanks for this information. I will look into it. If I am going to do this, I want to be the best I can be in truth and commitment.
L
lakotak
Guest
Thanks so much for this. I am starting to understand what this is all about and how it works and what is expected.Speaking as someone currently in RCIA, and I think the world of our team. Be sure the overall team you have for RCIA includes protestant converts to Catholicism.
What I have observed is that very often a person in RCIA will ask a question and the cradle catholic members are unable to really grasp why the person is asking what they are asking. They give a correct answer but miss the deeper question and reasons, whereas protestant converts to the faith now serving on RCIA often understand precisely why the question is being asked and address it differently.
The reason is protestants and catholics really do think differently culturally. Of course you will have many non protestants in your RCIA class as well. Its very diverse and hard to anticipate everything.
Thanks for taking the time to serve on the team. I think you will be appreciated even if you feel unsure of yourself. Our questions come in all shapes and sizes, you will never be 100% prepared. Learn the Catholic faith and as much as you can about it.
Expect to take some questions as “I’ll follow up with more information later” or “I think there is a resource that can help with that question let me locate it and get it to you.” Both of these happen quite often in my RCIA experience, but we all understand and appreciate the honesty. If you are ever truly stumped in your RCIA leading you can always try the “punt” where you pick on someone else on the RCIA team you feel is smarter than you and say, “What do you think Bill perhaps you can help us out here ?”
C
CB_Catholic
Guest
Before I joined the RCIA team I took a Diocesan- sponsored course in ministry and also attended other classes sponsored by the Diocese on various subjects. I still do this a couple of times a year. I do quite a bit of reading and familiarized myself with the CCC. Most of the team members have done the same, so while we are not experts or theologians, we are not uneducated when it comes to the faith.
The priests and the Deacons teach the classes on the Sacraments, morality, the Mass, Mary, the OT and the NT; the team teaches on other things such as the Saints, Vatican II, and I teach a class on the Jewish roots of Jesus, which took me a long time to properly research and put together. This is not a comprehensive list of the subjects. All of what we teach is approved by the Deacon, who is the head of the program.
I would say one should have a good solid understanding and knowledge of the Church and her teachings along with some Biblical knowledge and Church history, but one does not need to be an expert or have a degree in theology. The RCIA is a learning experience for team members also–I learn a lot every year from being in the classes, and if there are Protestants coming into they Church, they likely have fairly extensive Biblical knowledge and keep one on one’s toes.
The priests and the Deacons teach the classes on the Sacraments, morality, the Mass, Mary, the OT and the NT; the team teaches on other things such as the Saints, Vatican II, and I teach a class on the Jewish roots of Jesus, which took me a long time to properly research and put together. This is not a comprehensive list of the subjects. All of what we teach is approved by the Deacon, who is the head of the program.
I would say one should have a good solid understanding and knowledge of the Church and her teachings along with some Biblical knowledge and Church history, but one does not need to be an expert or have a degree in theology. The RCIA is a learning experience for team members also–I learn a lot every year from being in the classes, and if there are Protestants coming into they Church, they likely have fairly extensive Biblical knowledge and keep one on one’s toes.
1
1ke
Guest
I suggest you use ACM’s RCIA materials including their catechist manual for anyone who will be in the role of RCIA catechist. ACM offers training, too.
acmrcia.org/
Your diocese should also have a catechist formation program and workshops.
K
Kal2012
Guest
I’m taking RCIA at a small parish. So, I’m adding my 2 cents.
It’s kind of interesting because the instructor knows all of us and nobody can “hide” or not participate. There are only 5 of us and everyone in the class is a spouse of a Catholic. I really like that I know everyone in my class.
Our teacher uses a Q/A format and gives us handouts that we can read - or not - we don’t really discuss them. Sometimes, we will read them in class, but 50% of the time, we don’t.
Personally, I like structure, so this ‘go w/the flow’ thing hasn’t worked too well for me. However, she manages to weave relevant information into the conversation and can keep the conversation on track, so I’m not going to be ungrateful for the experience. At this point, I’m taking the class to be ‘officially’ Catholic, not because it’s a good class.
That said, I’ve gotten more out of reading on my own/coming here than I have just taking the class. I can see why my husband worries about whether I’m getting what I need, if all I was doing was taking the class.
I’ve seen outlines from the RCIA classes at other parishes (on-line!) and I’m kind of envious of what other parishes do.
Also, one of the things that just irks me is the fact that our schedule always changes. It’s like every couple of weeks, there are major scheduling changes. We’ve already gotten 2 revisions of the schedule and we are getting a 3rd next week. I get that it’s not always possible for things to be set in stone, but I’m so sick of not knowing what’s going on from week to week. It just comes off as RCIA being an after-thought, given how few people are in the class. Three of us have children under 5, so it’s a huge deal when you can’t count on your schedule.
Anyway, if you can learn from my experience and try to do things better at your parish, then I will have accomplished what I set out to do. Have a good weekend. Good Luck!
It’s kind of interesting because the instructor knows all of us and nobody can “hide” or not participate. There are only 5 of us and everyone in the class is a spouse of a Catholic. I really like that I know everyone in my class.
Our teacher uses a Q/A format and gives us handouts that we can read - or not - we don’t really discuss them. Sometimes, we will read them in class, but 50% of the time, we don’t.
Personally, I like structure, so this ‘go w/the flow’ thing hasn’t worked too well for me. However, she manages to weave relevant information into the conversation and can keep the conversation on track, so I’m not going to be ungrateful for the experience. At this point, I’m taking the class to be ‘officially’ Catholic, not because it’s a good class.
That said, I’ve gotten more out of reading on my own/coming here than I have just taking the class. I can see why my husband worries about whether I’m getting what I need, if all I was doing was taking the class.
I’ve seen outlines from the RCIA classes at other parishes (on-line!) and I’m kind of envious of what other parishes do.
Also, one of the things that just irks me is the fact that our schedule always changes. It’s like every couple of weeks, there are major scheduling changes. We’ve already gotten 2 revisions of the schedule and we are getting a 3rd next week. I get that it’s not always possible for things to be set in stone, but I’m so sick of not knowing what’s going on from week to week. It just comes off as RCIA being an after-thought, given how few people are in the class. Three of us have children under 5, so it’s a huge deal when you can’t count on your schedule.
Anyway, if you can learn from my experience and try to do things better at your parish, then I will have accomplished what I set out to do. Have a good weekend. Good Luck!
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Reading through this thread I would add a bit to my ideal team from above.
Someone mentioned that some members of the team should have been through RCIA themselves and I agree. Someone who grew up in a Protestant church brings a different perspective to the group, one that cradle Catholics don’t have. They may also have had to deal with issues like family disapproval that the current candidates are also dealing with.
The other area of expertise I would add to the list is knowledge of Scripture. Since ultimately faith is about a relationship with God, being able to bring a focus based on the word of God is helpful to discussions. When someone raises an issue, having someone say “oh, that’s just like the story of…” or “that reminds me of the line in the Psalm about…” or “Jesus talked about that when he said…” is very helpful.
Someone mentioned that some members of the team should have been through RCIA themselves and I agree. Someone who grew up in a Protestant church brings a different perspective to the group, one that cradle Catholics don’t have. They may also have had to deal with issues like family disapproval that the current candidates are also dealing with.
The other area of expertise I would add to the list is knowledge of Scripture. Since ultimately faith is about a relationship with God, being able to bring a focus based on the word of God is helpful to discussions. When someone raises an issue, having someone say “oh, that’s just like the story of…” or “that reminds me of the line in the Psalm about…” or “Jesus talked about that when he said…” is very helpful.
K
kkollwitz
Guest
*What should a Catholic know to be teaching in the RCIA Program?
*
*
- Be Catechetically literate.
- Be Scripturally literate.
- Believe and live what you teach.
- Status