Help with Mystagogy ideas

[Arianna09]

I work with the RCIA team and it really bothers me that everyone falls out after the Easter Vigil. I mentioned to the Deacon in charge that I thought part of the problem was that we have no interesting class topics after Easter. Before that we discuss different aspects of the faith and have lessons written out with a calendar. However, after Easter, our calendar just has dates…no topics. People will usually come to the first meeting after Easter, but all we do is sit around and chat. I was trying to think of some discussion/lecture topics. Some I was pondering were: How to be Catholic daily, Different ministries, Prayers and Devotions…
Can you all help with other ideas and/or feedback on these and what you would do to keep them interested.
Thanks bunches! I just really want to give them everything they need to be on fire for the faith and bring others home!!!

 

[kristanl]

You could pray the rosary as a group, you could begin bible studies, you could all attend mass at the same time together, then go somewhere to eat and chat… You could have a now what class… Now that you’re Catholic what are your plans?

Just throwing my two-cents out there!!

 

[Rolltide]

There’s all kinds of things you could do. You could:

1. Have Bible studies
2. Go through a history of the great apparitions, shrines, and miracles of the Church (Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, Infant of Prague, etc.)
3. Many people aren’t aware of the many devotions within the Catholic Church. Teach them about scapulars, the miraculous medal, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, etc.
4. Do a study of the Early Church Fathers
5. Give an introduction to Catholic history
6. Teach them about the various ministries within the church. You could decorate the church one week, have them do the readings another, etc. Vary it up until they find something they like.
7. Take them on a field trip to see various OTHER forms of the liturgy and explain the many varieties of the faith. Take them to see an Extraordinary Form Mass, a Maronite Divine Liturgy, Ukrainian Divine Liturgy, etc…

That’s just a few ideas to start. I’m sure that there are DOZENS more!

 

[bpbasilphx]

How about studying the Mystagoglical Catechesis of St. Cyril, or at least using them as a basis?

That’s EXACTLY what they were written for!

 

[Rolltide]

How about an entire class on icons and iconography? You could explain their significance to the Eastern Rites, discuss the Iconclastic Controversy a little bit, and go into the rich symbolism contained within them.

 

[fdesales]

I work with the RCIA team and it really bothers me that everyone falls out after the Easter Vigil. I mentioned to the Deacon in charge that I thought part of the problem was that we have no interesting class topics after Easter. Before that we discuss different aspects of the faith and have lessons written out with a calendar. However, after Easter, our calendar just has dates…no topics. People will usually come to the first meeting after Easter, but all we do is sit around and chat. I was trying to think of some discussion/lecture topics. Some I was pondering were: How to be Catholic daily, Different ministries, Prayers and Devotions…
Can you all help with other ideas and/or feedback on these and what you would do to keep them interested.
Thanks bunches! I just really want to give them everything they need to be on fire for the faith and bring others home!!!

Part of the problem is that RCIA is seen as a class that is DONE once the Easter Vigil is over. If the primary reason is given that the RCIA is about receiving the sacraments, people will not come anymore. If anyone teaches that the purpose of RCIA is reception of the sacraments, they have doomed the Mystagogia, not matter what classes you have established…

You have to begin, from day ONE, that RCIA is a period of sacramental formation. Easter Vigil is only one step in the path, not the end. The instructors must never make the implication that RCIA is about receiving sacraments. When they have the mindset that this is not a class and the finale is not on Easter Vigil, you have a better chance of successfully getting people to come during Mystagogia.

We concentrate on the gifts of the Holy Spirit within each of them, now that they have experienced the sacraments. We speak about these experiences, which are new for most of them. The Cycle A Gospel readings during the weeks following Easter should be ample reflection material for a Mystagogia presentation…

I am not so sure on making classes based on “what we didn’t cover”, like Church History or such. The high point of RCIA has been reached and those subjects will not pull them in. You have to speak of what they have just experienced during the Vigil, share with them how this experience can help them to see what the Spirit wants them to do with the gifts He has given.

If an RCIA does not have the mindset that it is all done on the Vigil, that Mystagogia is just other stuff we didn’t get to, you have a better chance of a higher attendance after Easter.

Regards

 

[mswood]

I am currently in RCIA. These are the class topics on the schedule for our class after the Easter Vigil.

1. Easter Liturgy
2. Gifts of the Holy Spirit
3. Sacramentals
4. Authority of the Church
5. Role of the Laity
6. Pentecost

 

[Arianna09]

Thanks! Keep any ideas coming. I am going to put together a list to discuss with our team. I really, really am thankful for this community to discuss things and help! Thanks again

 

[Jennifer_G]

You could pray the rosary as a group, you could begin bible studies,

That’s what a few of us in our RCIA class did a few years ago. We have 1 member from last year’s RCIA class, too.

 

[jmcrae]

I work with the RCIA team and it really bothers me that everyone falls out after the Easter Vigil. I mentioned to the Deacon in charge that I thought part of the problem was that we have no interesting class topics after Easter. Before that we discuss different aspects of the faith and have lessons written out with a calendar. However, after Easter, our calendar just has dates…no topics. People will usually come to the first meeting after Easter, but all we do is sit around and chat. I was trying to think of some discussion/lecture topics. Some I was pondering were: How to be Catholic daily, Different ministries, Prayers and Devotions…
Can you all help with other ideas and/or feedback on these and what you would do to keep them interested.
Thanks bunches! I just really want to give them everything they need to be on fire for the faith and bring others home!!!

How about having different ministry coordinators come in and talk about what they do, and how volunteering fits in with a Catholic lifestyle? For example, the person in charge of the music ministry could come in and talk about how music is an important part of the parish ministry that any lay person can get involved with, or else the coordinator of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul could come and talk about practical ways to minister to the poor.

You could also have the Bible study leader or the Rosary leader come and talk about what happens at their meetings, and invite the new converts to join in, or Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women’s League, and so forth - all the stuff that they weren’t allowed to do before they got Confirmed, but now is open to them.

 

[Fidelis]

One year we offered a 23 week tour of salvation history Bible study from Genesis to Revelation.

A couple of times we’ve offered a nine week apologetics class.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I work with the RCIA team and it really bothers me that everyone falls out after the Easter Vigil. I mentioned to the Deacon in charge that I thought part of the problem was that we have no interesting class topics after Easter. Before that we discuss different aspects of the faith and have lessons written out with a calendar. However, after Easter, our calendar just has dates…no topics. People will usually come to the first meeting after Easter, but all we do is sit around and chat. I was trying to think of some discussion/lecture topics. Some I was pondering were: How to be Catholic daily, Different ministries, Prayers and Devotions…
Can you all help with other ideas and/or feedback on these and what you would do to keep them interested.
Thanks bunches! I just really want to give them everything they need to be on fire for the faith and bring others home!!!

We met each of the 8 weeks and had various topics, Mary in the lives of Christains, The Eastern Catholic Church, Retreats and Pilgrimages, etc. Then the group got together twice a month after that at each others houses, one week was purely social, the other has some sort of catechetical component, but still social for another year.

 

[Arianna09]

I love the idea of continuing to meet! Even every other week would be good. Many people (myself included) have mentioned that the feel on fire right after Easter, and then burn out quickly over the summer because our church stops almost all activities! Some kind of informal gathering to keep in touch and learn a little more could be excellent!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I love the idea of continuing to meet! Even every other week would be good. Many people (myself included) have mentioned that the feel on fire right after Easter, and then burn out quickly over the summer because our church stops almost all activities! Some kind of informal gathering to keep in touch and learn a little more could be excellent!

Any parish with a good RCIA process must have a good Adult Catechetical program in place for after RCIA.

 

[fdesales]

Any parish with a good RCIA process must have a good Adult Catechetical program in place for after RCIA.

It certainly would help, but often, there isn’t a good Adult Catech. program. The lack doesn’t need to necessarily effect the RCIA’s value.

What is crucial is getting the Neophytes into small groups, either as part of a small faith group, an Adult Catechetical program, or some ministry that serves others (St. Vincent de Paul, hospital ministry, Eucharistic Minister, Commentator, etc…).

We stress that it is vital that each person find a niche within the Church to become part of, so they feel they belong and can share in a smaller group. Too many feel like they are tossed into the sea of the Catholic Church and hardly know anyone. So many fall away because they don’t feel part of the Church in a personal way. This is why our classes revolve around experiencing Christ through the sacraments AND looking inward to discern the gifts we have been given. We make sure they realize how important it is to USE these gifts for the sake of the Body.

If you teach that early, that the Church is a Body, this will all tie together.

I think it doesn’t matter what someone does (adult catechism, etc), as long as it is SOMETHING where they minister or share in smaller groups.

Regards

 

[PJM]

I work with the RCIA team and it really bothers me that everyone falls out after the Easter Vigil. I mentioned to the Deacon in charge that I thought part of the problem was that we have no interesting class topics after Easter. Before that we discuss different aspects of the faith and have lessons written out with a calendar. However, after Easter, our calendar just has dates…no topics. People will usually come to the first meeting after Easter, but all we do is sit around and chat. I was trying to think of some discussion/lecture topics. Some I was pondering were: How to be Catholic daily, Different ministries, Prayers and Devotions…
Can you all help with other ideas and/or feedback on these and what you would do to keep them interested.
Thanks bunches! I just really want to give them everything they need to be on fire for the faith and bring others home!!!

****You are correct…

No Plan = No Program****

We have a 2000 year history, surely there ar topics that require further explaination and discussion.

Here are some suggestions The Sacraments covered in detail, especailly Eucharist, and Reconcillation, where you can discuss nature of sin, indulgences, purgatory and hell.
Why Protestants don’t have them and WHAT this means.

The Hirearchy of the CC and Church Early Church history [GO DEEPER]

The origin and history of the Catholic Bible, and compare it to the KJB [Go into some detail]

Who can interpet the Bible, and why…
Then go into detail on how to read and understand what is actually being said. If understanding does NOT confrom to CC Teaching, it has to b wrong!

The Mass…

Why Latin, sign of the Cross, why water mixed with the wine, Why is the Host “Fractured?”

How to defend the Faith against:

OSAS

Everything one needs is in the bible

Self interpetation issues

All Salvation is “Through the Catholic Church”

How to use the CCC and practice it.

Different forms of prayer and personal piety

BEFORE Easter pole the class and ask what they would like more information on. Even if topics are repeated, have them covered by a differny teacher the second time.

Love and prayers,

Pat

 

[Strategery]

I love the idea of continuing to meet! Even every other week would be good. Many people (myself included) have mentioned that the feel on fire right after Easter, and then burn out quickly over the summer because our church stops almost all activities! Some kind of informal gathering to keep in touch and learn a little more could be excellent!

If you’re feeling this strongly, you have a great opportunity to “spawn” a small faith group that stays in touch over the long term. I think there are plenty of ideas so far in this thread for you.

If you have a group that feels the desire together, then by all means go for it. Schedule a regular time every two weeks and those who can make it will. If you can establish a program that rotates leadership so no one person is overwhelmed, that would be great.

For example, my bible study group has been working in Romans lately. We’re using the Navarre Bible and a new volunteer has been leading each chapter. We’ve had people at various spiritual levels lead and it’s been rewarding all the way through.

Good luck - trust your instincts and follow through right away on the desire to keep meeting. Continue to fan the flames!

 

[Arianna09]

So, I put together all these ideas to share with the Deacon who runs the RCIA program. He didn’t seem too thrilled…he said that everyone always drops off after Easter and there is nothing we can do about it. Maybe it is just because I am a convert, but I like to think there are other people who want to continue to learn about something as important as our faith.
Does every church notice a huge drop off after Easter? I am hoping he was just in a negative mood. I just think we need to keep trying and not just give up.
I know I am just venting now…sorry. I was pretty bummed about this. I think things can change…but then again, I usually look on the bright side

 

[fdesales]

So, I put together all these ideas to share with the Deacon who runs the RCIA program. He didn’t seem too thrilled…he said that everyone always drops off after Easter and there is nothing we can do about it. Maybe it is just because I am a convert, but I like to think there are other people who want to continue to learn about something as important as our faith.
Does every church notice a huge drop off after Easter? I am hoping he was just in a negative mood. I just think we need to keep trying and not just give up.
I know I am just venting now…sorry. I was pretty bummed about this. I think things can change…but then again, I usually look on the bright side

I think most churches notice a drop after Easter. RCIA can be a long process, in some churches, it is over a year. Burn out is a distinct possibility for them as well as the team…

I definitely think that Mystagogy CANNOT be just more “classes” that you didn’t cover during the Catechumante. No one is going to come to “Catholic History” class after receiving the sacraments. I think what works better is to provide them with the tools to find a small community within the big ocean of the Catholic Church. That is why so many new converts falter. They are left to their own devices in a huge church which they hardly know anyone and still feel a bit uncomfortable with.

As such, Mystagogia should focus on reminding them of their Baptismal promises, the call to take the gifts we have received and use them within the Body. They must explore their own charisms, what grace has improved upon in their own nature. Once they feel a call to do something particular to them, they must be joined with a particular ministry in the local community that caters to that.

THEN, they will feel part of the Church…

Regards

 

[Batfink]

Only just found this thread so sorry it’s a bit late.

Our diocesan vocations team is planning a day where all the people newly received can come and learn about vocations (to the priesthood, religious life & marriage, obviously, but also more widely about life as a vocation including altar serving & helping out in the parish, being a grandparent etc). You might be able to consider something similar on a parish/deanery scale.

We also make sure (as a parish) that people who were in RCIA together get a chance to meet up socially afterwards and we encourage them to look at how they can contribute to parish life. I agree with the previous poster that mystagogia shouldn’t be another series of classes, but it may be the chance for some more creative ideas, I’ve always thought an away day would be good - a mixture of retreat and social stuff. Other than that, make sure they’re personally invited to join existing groups you think they might be interested in - an individual “would you like to come to…?” is always better received than a general “here’s what the parish does…” It’s just my opinion, but I think it might be healthier to have e.g. a Bible study/Rosary group which is mixed neophytes & more established church members rather than the whoel RCIA class.

To answer your question, I’ve definitely noticed some drop-off after Easter, but lots of other people still want to be involved. I don’t think we can expect the same level of commitment (e.g. attending a meeting every week for months on end), but it’s nice to see many of the ‘newbies’ around at parish events.