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nickybr38
Guest
Perfect.
I agree with this whole heartedly.
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I agree with this whole heartedly.
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novusCatholic
Guest
I recognize that the RCIA process can be an emotional one (it was for me), but our leaders focused too much on “feelings” and not enough on the facts and teachings of the Church. We barely brushed the surface with some topics and others weren’t covered at all. We spent too much time listening to songs and reading poems out loud.
I agree that RCIA classes are a mix, with people at different stages of faith. But, I somtimes felt that I was in a grade school level Sunday school class. It was too basic. I learned most things through self study and often left RCIA feeling frustrated that another opportunity was lost to teach the class some very important things.
I believe that it would have been very possible for someone to go through our class and still not truly understand what the Church is and what it teaches. And isn’t that what we were agreeing to accept at Easter Vigil? I understand that we’ll be learning and growing for the rest of our lives, but the basics need to be fully taught.
More use of the Cathecism. Less of the CD player.
I agree that RCIA classes are a mix, with people at different stages of faith. But, I somtimes felt that I was in a grade school level Sunday school class. It was too basic. I learned most things through self study and often left RCIA feeling frustrated that another opportunity was lost to teach the class some very important things.
I believe that it would have been very possible for someone to go through our class and still not truly understand what the Church is and what it teaches. And isn’t that what we were agreeing to accept at Easter Vigil? I understand that we’ll be learning and growing for the rest of our lives, but the basics need to be fully taught.
More use of the Cathecism. Less of the CD player.
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Jerusha
Guest
The fact that it is a mix of people should be a blessing, addressing peer support. Those who know more can make more contributions than just basic questions. To add to this mix, it might also be advantageous for returning Catholics to be encouraged to attend.
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Pug
Guest
- Stop stuffing everyone into a one size fits all program. Give the true catechumen a program for catechumens.
- Stop forcing every candidate to wait until the Easter Vigil. (I am talking about what happens, not what the Church says ought to happen)
- Stop using the mindset of administrators that some amount of attendance at a generic class constitutes demonstration that a person is ready for whatever next step. (this goes for stuff besides RCIA).
- Live Catholic behaviors. Pray the rosary as a group. Take them to adoration. Explain Catholic practices surrounding death.
- Make sure they know how to continue learning and integrating into the community after RCIA ends.
- Mention all of the moral teachings that will likely come up within the next few years of the life of each person, like NFP and Holy Days of Obligation. No big discussion is needed, but get the facts out there, please.
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Jerusha
Guest
It can be adapted for the needs of each individual, particularly through individualized readings, and supplemental individual sessions. Use some special education (I am including Gifted) techniques.
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anp1215
Guest
Did anyone have to attend BOW (breaking open the word) every Sunday? We did, and that was my least favorite part of RCIA. We would get dismissed after the homily to go to the chapel (candidates included, which is technically incorrect, only catechumens are supposed to be dismissed) and read the readings. Usually this is how it would go “Would someone like to read the first reading?” read “So does anyone have any thoughts on that?” long awkward silence
UGGGGHHH
Everyone in the RCIA classes has told me that this is the worst part. I’m currently sponsoring a woman who asked me if she had to go. They do say that you have to go, but even then last Sunday I went to that Mass and there were only 2 people there. Personally, I did go every Sunday unless I was unable to, but did not enjoy it.
They also have it at the 9 am Mass, which is one of my least favorites. It’s very contemporary, guitars, drums, etc. I think they do it this way because they think it will be most comfortable for Protestants, but really, my sponsor (also a convert) and I were discussing it, about how that is one of the reasons we were drawn to Catholicism and away from Protestantism! Just feels like “dumbing down.”
Now, having said that, my sponsor’s husband taught BOW occasionally, and his were the only sessions I enjoyed. Rather than doing the whole “How does that make you feel, anyone have any thoughts?” we would read the readings and he would have prepared information where he would talk about the teachings the Catholic Church derived from these passages, how they connected to other passages, and basically dissect them and relate them to Catholicism, how we see these different from Protestants, etc. It was AWESOME. I wish he taught every BOW.
UGGGGHHH
Everyone in the RCIA classes has told me that this is the worst part. I’m currently sponsoring a woman who asked me if she had to go. They do say that you have to go, but even then last Sunday I went to that Mass and there were only 2 people there. Personally, I did go every Sunday unless I was unable to, but did not enjoy it.
They also have it at the 9 am Mass, which is one of my least favorites. It’s very contemporary, guitars, drums, etc. I think they do it this way because they think it will be most comfortable for Protestants, but really, my sponsor (also a convert) and I were discussing it, about how that is one of the reasons we were drawn to Catholicism and away from Protestantism! Just feels like “dumbing down.”
Now, having said that, my sponsor’s husband taught BOW occasionally, and his were the only sessions I enjoyed. Rather than doing the whole “How does that make you feel, anyone have any thoughts?” we would read the readings and he would have prepared information where he would talk about the teachings the Catholic Church derived from these passages, how they connected to other passages, and basically dissect them and relate them to Catholicism, how we see these different from Protestants, etc. It was AWESOME. I wish he taught every BOW.
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Pug
Guest
I agree with the supplemental individual stuff. Some would thrive with that, being confident that they had 30 minutes to ask all the little details that their heart desires, based on the CCC readings they did the night before.
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novusCatholic
Guest
We were also dismissed for the “breaking open of the word”. Both catechumens and candidates.
Initially, I didn’t like it. I felt that I was not getting any credit for already being a baptised and practicing Christian. I knew that I could not take part in Holy Communion, but it was still an inspiring experience just to be there. With that being said, I still enjoyed the BOW. We had some good conversations. Attendence was normally light though.
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fabricdragon
Guest
BOW? no… we didnt.
in fact i had no idea we were supposed to be “dismissed” at all… the only people who left service in a group were the little kids who left with a teacher to do what i THINK you are talking about…
the rest of us showed up at whatever service and sat in the Pew…
in fact i had no idea we were supposed to be “dismissed” at all… the only people who left service in a group were the little kids who left with a teacher to do what i THINK you are talking about…
the rest of us showed up at whatever service and sat in the Pew…
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anp1215
Guest
eh…lucky you!
I also think that the timing was another reason attendance is not great. 9 am on Sunday is very early for a lot of people. That means getting up at 7 or 7:30.
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fabricdragon
Guest
there is a reason i was so happy to find that the local “college church” has a ten PM SUNDAY (not saturday) service. i work weekends, and often missed church before…
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anp1215
Guest
Yeah, I think a late night Sunday Mass is a great idea for parishes that can do it. I have heard that often the parishes that have late night Sunday Mass do it as a sort of “contemplative Mass” with low lighting, candles, simple music and singing, etc. Did your church do it like that? I’ve always wanted to go to one like that, it seems like a really relaxing way to start the week. My parish has a 6 pm Mass, but it’s the Lifeteen Mass. That’s the latest Sunday Mass around here, no colleges…
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SeekNFind
Guest
I had a really good RCIA experience and looked forward to class (I think I only missed 2) but a few things I would do/emphasize:
-suggest Catholicism for Dummies as a companion book
-encourage outside reading
-devote more time talking about devotions ie novenas, chaplets, litanies, adoration, the rosary, etc. We talked about all these in class but I think it could be expanded and maybe even include a practice session
-a retreat!
-spend more time talking about the significance of the Eucharist. I don’t think we were ever told that you’re supposed to fast 1 hour before receiving, be in a state of Grace, etc. I learned a lot of nuggets of info here on CAF.
-more social things.
-suggest Catholicism for Dummies as a companion book
-encourage outside reading
-devote more time talking about devotions ie novenas, chaplets, litanies, adoration, the rosary, etc. We talked about all these in class but I think it could be expanded and maybe even include a practice session
-a retreat!
-spend more time talking about the significance of the Eucharist. I don’t think we were ever told that you’re supposed to fast 1 hour before receiving, be in a state of Grace, etc. I learned a lot of nuggets of info here on CAF.
-more social things.
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fabricdragon
Guest
that does sound nice…
no. its a … hmm… well on the plus side its a fairly serious church, with a good sermon, some meat to it usually!
they have music… the college kids play. sometimes when my head isnt well (i get migraines) thats not good, but they are very good musicians… french horn, violin, piano, guitar, choral… it varies… not funky stuff… nice hymns usually.
they USED to do communion under both species, but stopped
sad, i loved that…they are much more likely to have incense for the major big services… which i adore… but hubby has asthma and i managed to get hi to go to exactly ONE service and of course they had incense and he had an attack… and that was the last time i got him to set foot in the church. sigh
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anp1215
Guest
Oh well that Mass sounds nice too! But if you get migraines sounds like you would definitely enjoy a “contemplative” Mass.that does sound nice…
no. its a … hmm… well on the plus side its a fairly serious church, with a good sermon, some meat to it usually!
they have music… the college kids play. sometimes when my head isnt well (i get migraines) thats not good, but they are very good musicians… french horn, violin, piano, guitar, choral… it varies… not funky stuff… nice hymns usually.
they USED to do communion under both species, but stopped
they are much more likely to have incense for the major big services… which i adore… but hubby has asthma and i managed to get hi to go to exactly ONE service and of course they had incense and he had an attack… and that was the last time i got him to set foot in the church. sigh
I’m sorry about your husband! Hopefully he will come around one day.
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fabricdragon
Guest
as far as my husband (and his family for that matter) its a sad example of bad catechises and bad leadership… and authority figures teaching false doctrine! that pretty much took this entire family out of the church.
all of them baptized Catholic… i believe most of them confirmed Catholic (at least hubby was) but NEVER educated properly, and never given a good example.
i dont know about his brother and sister… but he at least despises the Catholic church. the best i can get out of him most times is “you go in, i will sit ihn the car and read”
all of them baptized Catholic… i believe most of them confirmed Catholic (at least hubby was) but NEVER educated properly, and never given a good example.
i dont know about his brother and sister… but he at least despises the Catholic church. the best i can get out of him most times is “you go in, i will sit ihn the car and read”
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sw85
Guest
Yes, this! Easily the worst part, and seemingly a needless interruption to the liturgy itself. In one case, the deacon asked a kind old lady involved in the class as a sponsor to run the session – about 10 minutes before mass started. Needless to say she was unprepared and extremely nervous; I felt awful for her.
In general the Scripture sessions were my least favorite part, precisely because we were encouraged to form our own opinions on them. This is absolutely the worst thing that could’ve been done – no worse way to prepare future Catholics than not to tell them that the Church alone possesses exegetical authority and the Bible does not, in fact, mean just whatever we wish it to.
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nickybr38
Guest
Yes. I absolutely hated that part.
The worst part was when anyone expressed an opinion or thought that ran contrary to Church teaching the instructors response was usually: Well, I don’t agree but let’s move on.
Just like that. No discussion. No correction. Just a gentle smile, and a quick switch of topic.
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LisaA
Guest
Appreciate these suggestions and horrified about some of the posts where heretical statements seemed to be part of the curriculum
I’m on the RCIA Team and always looking for (name removed by moderator)ut for the classes and experiences. One of my friends married a Protestant who went through our local Cathedral’s program and also recommended Catholicism for Dummies. He was VERY well versed in Bible and Christianity from an evangelical point of view but needed the specifics regarding Catholicism. His wife, a Cradle Catholic said going through RCIA was helpful to her as she hardly remembers Catechism classes when she was a child.
Thanks for the specifics! I too have learned much from CAF
Lisa
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Deputywife
Guest
I would like to see different materials used. In our class we used a home study course and answered questionnaires about what we read. Everyone has different studying abilities, I work best by reading a book and doing a workbook. Unfortunately our instructor had no knowledge of such materials. 
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