How to Influence the Parish RCIA

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I went through the RCIA program and was confirmed on Easter 2010. I journeyed from Protestantism to Catholicism by the grace of God and a whole lot of reading. In short, I am very well catechised.

The RCIA program that I went through was sadly deficient in many ways. I try to remain charitable and use soft words to describe my experience but it is difficult. There was no substantive Catholic education involved. The program, at best, could be described as catholic-esque “spiritual formation.”

To make matters more complicated, through discussions with the “catechetical instructors”, I have learned that they espouse many many heretical views. One woman in particular left her religous order to become a Protestant minister only to return to the Catholic Church to “work from the inside.”

I have an opportunity to become involved in religous education at the parish. They want me to be involved with the Inquiry and RCIA groups. I stayed at my parish for this very reason - to make a difference at a parish that badly needs someone to speak for orthodoxy. I fear, however, that my presence will not be welcome in the education department. My presence, at minimum, will make people tense. I fear that they will run me off once they understand where I stand on Church teachings - and I am not just talking about hot-button social issues either.

My question is: How do I approach educating people in RCIA about orthodox Catholic teachings while not rocking the boat too much so the leaders will allow me to stick around?

Very Best,

Thomas-Augustine
 
I couldn’t help but giggle at this thread. It seems this is quite common-place. Just tell the parish priest that you want to help but the RCIA leaders dislike you because you condemn their heretical views. It’s not like the priest would be on their side! Good luck!
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My first thought is "Where was your priest through this whole process? I have been Catholic for 6 years in a small parish and had very person catechisis from a very spiritfilled priest.

Does the priest oversee the process? You might want to let he priest know your concerns and see if he is in alignment with their doctrine. He may not be aware of what is being taught, and if so he needs to be more involved.
 
tlimon said:
I went through the RCIA program and was confirmed on Easter 2010. I journeyed from Protestantism to Catholicism by the grace of God and a whole lot of reading. In short, I am very well catechised.

The RCIA program that I went through was sadly deficient in many ways. I try to remain charitable and use soft words to describe my experience but it is difficult. There was no substantive Catholic education involved. The program, at best, could be described as catholic-esque “spiritual formation.”

To make matters more complicated, through discussions with the “catechetical instructors”, I have learned that they espouse many many heretical views. One woman in particular left her religous order to become a Protestant minister only to return to the Catholic Church to “work from the inside.”

I have an opportunity to become involved in religous education at the parish. They want me to be involved with the Inquiry and RCIA groups. I stayed at my parish for this very reason - to make a difference at a parish that badly needs someone to speak for orthodoxy. I fear, however, that my presence will not be welcome in the education department. My presence, at minimum, will make people tense. I fear that they will run me off once they understand where I stand on Church teachings - and I am not just talking about hot-button social issues either.

My question is: How do I approach educating people in RCIA about orthodox Catholic teachings while not rocking the boat too much so the leaders will allow me to stick around?

Very Best,

Thomas-Augustine
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I thank the Lord that you have the grace to see this situation for what it is, and wanting to do something about it.

Hopefully it would do good if you were to be able to explain this to the pastor, and that he would be grateful to you for doing so.

We need more like you.
 
beth40n2 said:
My first thought is "Where was your priest through this whole process? I have been Catholic for 6 years in a small parish and had very person catechisis from a very spiritfilled priest.

Does the priest oversee the process? You might want to let he priest know your concerns and see if he is in alignment with their doctrine. He may not be aware of what is being taught, and if so he needs to be more involved.
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I met the parish pastor twice during the entire RCIA process and that was to address end of life “advanced directives” and to say a few consoling words about the child abuse crisis in Europe. Other than that, the priests were entirely hands-off.

The program is run by two nuns, one nun in particular. The rest of the “staff” are lay Catholics. I attend a Jesuit parish and I am unsure whether the priest comports with their views or not. The Jesuits can be hit or miss on orthodox Catholic teachings. The Church definately has something to say about “social justice”, the Jesuits sometimes like to use the banner of “social justice” to conceal their secular concepts of justice and their individual pet heresies - not all mind you, but some if not many.

I need to walk a tight rope here. I do not want to be run-off, but I also want to present orthodox Catholic teachings. If I come into conflict, I also do not want to act in bad taste by being overly confrontational or going over the RCIA director’s head and talking to the pastor prematurely. I am not sure what to do.
 
tlimon said:
This is not entirely certain. My parish is vibrant but very unorthodox in many many ways.
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Well, you progress with telling them orthodox teachings, backed with the catechism. If you get the book hauled at you by even the priest, I would strongly suggest to contact the local bishop with a letter giving examples.
 
In short, I am very well catechised.
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and I think you know that the Church needs this gift you have to offer!
To make matters more complicated, through discussions with the “catechetical instructors”, I have learned that they espouse many many heretical views. One woman in particular left her religous order to become a Protestant minister only to return to the Catholic Church to “work from the inside.”
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Can you list some of the heretical teachings you heard while you were in RCIA? Have you thought about bringing such a list to the pastor, to discuss your experiences with him?
Re: the wman who became a Protestant minister – how do you know this to be true? Did this woman tell your RCIA specifically? Did she use the phrase “to work from the inside”?
I have an opportunity to become involved in religous education at the parish. They want me to be involved with the Inquiry and RCIA groups…My presence, at minimum, will make people tense. I fear that they will run me off once they understand where I stand on Church teachings - and I am not just talking about hot-button social issues either.
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Who is the “They” who wants you to be involved? Have you discussed this with the two nuns in charge? Will they actually let you teach, if they’re still in charge? Do they plan on teaching too?
I stayed at my parish for this very reason - to make a difference at a parish that badly needs someone to speak for orthodoxy…My question is: How do I approach educating people in RCIA about orthodox Catholic teachings while not rocking the boat too much so the leaders will allow me to stick around?
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Jesus “rocked the boat” – and we keep hearing we’re supposed to be Christ-like! 😃
I don’t know what the answers are, because I sometimes feel poorly equipped to deal with the heteroxy and poor leadership I witness too – but, if you decide to jump into the frying pan, list every contradictory teaching and inappropriate behavior, time, place, who said… so that if and when you face persecution, you may approach the pastor, and possibly the bishop, with the information.

Sad to say, many pastors are clueless about what their catechists and other leaders are doing that is inappropriate. As far as they’re concerned, they have people doing the work, who claim they are competent, they’re “nice” enough because the pastors rarely witness the not-so-nice, and they’re “loyal” to the parish (even if they’re disloyal in one or more areas to the Holy Church) – and pastors can be afraid to “offend” them. Pray for our pastors, pray for those in leadership who are hurting the Church, and pray for the steadfast who are genuinely trying to follow God’s Word while building up the Kingdom.

Keep praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength! and THANK YOU for loving Jesus and His holy Church.
 
Pray and pray that God will use you. You never know what he has in mind. I know from experience that he might bring major changes that couldn’t have been foreseen. I became the RCIA coordinator for our parish 3 years after completing RCIA and have been working to correct the mis-information that was presented to me. Continue to form your faith, read and pray and ask others to pray, too.
 
what I just responded to the other poster with a similar question
puzzleannie said:
bless you, bless you, bless you by all means speak to your pastor or DRE they are waiting for you.

the same qualifications for any catechist apply to RCIA, so find out what they are in your parish or diocese.

My strong suggestion specifically for RCIA is that you volunteer as a sponsor for one complete liturgical cycle and go through the process through Baptism and the other sacraments, including Mystagogy, with your candidate. There is simply no better way to learn the process, which is as essential as the doctrinal knowledge.

Essential is a strong lived faith including continuing conversion, an active sacramental and prayer life, and a love for Christ and his Church especially as you meet them in the members–and prospective members–of her. You must read and pray with scripture daily, as should all catechists.

We can teach you what you need to know about doctrine but we cannot give you faith and practice of the faith. That is the beautiful gift you bring and share.
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Create a curriculum, preferably one that is based on the current system. Look at some of the published programs that exist, use those as (name removed by moderator)ut and for ideas regarding the program’s structure.

Do a little research and speak to the people who went through the same RCIA course. What do they wish they had been taught back then? What was the single most useful session? Which sessions do they remember? Which materials do they still return to?

Use this to formulate your own suggested curriculum. Once you have a put something together, check that your ideas are suitable and will fit with the needs and abilities of a range of people. RCIA attenders came from a very broad range of backgrounds. The curriculum shouldn’t be so academic that it will put people off: the ideal is a curriculum that mixes introduction to key texts with practical advice and ‘how-to’ experience.

Ensure all this is done in discussion with the priest and the people running the RCIA; they need to know what you’re doing. Explain that it is based on your own experience of RCIA and of the time that follows: that this is simply what you would have found useful yourself. No blame, or accusations of unorthodoxy, simply anecdote and antidote. Remain humble and ready to listen - perhaps they have certain reasons for teaching what they do and in the way they do.

I’m recently through RCIA myself (confirmed at Easter Vigil this year) and miss it - the weekly discussion with the priest and the group helped me enormously, not just in terms of my knowledge, but in terms of forcing me to examine my own ideas and preconceptions. Most importantly, it showed me where to go to and look for answers to any other questions: it was like induction in a really big library!

Good luck!
 
Be honest - tell them you are willing to help, but you are not willing to water down or sugar coat Church teaching. They may withdraw the offer.

If so, find a parish where you can serve. You have much to offer!! Please be patient and keep praying. 👍
 
tlimon said:
I went through the RCIA program and was confirmed on Easter 2010. I journeyed from Protestantism to Catholicism by the grace of God and a whole lot of reading. In short, I am very well catechised.

Dear RCIA Teacher:
Don’t worry about the reception you’ll get from the other teachers, your job will be teaching the candidates and they won’t know the difference. In my experience that’s always a one man’s job. The other teachers won’t know what you’re up to.
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One suggestion, George Weigel in his letters to young Catholics has some very good thoughts. He agrees that we can go over catechism, bible, methodologies of prayer etc, but experience is the best teacher. Try to give your students devout Catholic experiences in your class. Secondly,  I don’t know how often I’ve seen those sections that deal with “Well, what are we going to do this coming week to work on these virtues?” Most classes take about twenty seconds to go over this. That’s another place where the experiences can be developed. Take time to discuss a plan and in the next class schedule plenty of time for discussing what they actually did. 

Good luck, blessed are you who come in the name of the Lord....
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Often, new Catholics want to split hairs about what is orthodox. I see that there is great value in your offering to help with the RCIA. Why not just go into this this with an open mind. As I teach RCIA, I make it clear what is the “Churches Teachings” and what is “My opinion”. I take off my collar every time I give speculation about the nature of purgatory, etc. These opinions are offered as examples of what we can believe and still be Catholic. A nun teaching a class cannot make the point as graphically as I can.

Offer to help with the RCIA program (without any judgement) and try to understand whether the information is presented as orthodox or just speculative, but consistent with Catholic doctrine. When you pray, the Spirit will help you.
Deacon Chris
 
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