Improving RCIA

[fullofzeal]

When the history of the RCIA is understood it does provide some guidance in this situation. I mean the history from the first few centuries! A person who “asked around” about Christianity was carefully met with by one or two Christians and presented the Gospel carefully never to reveal who any other Christians were or where they gathered together. After they felt comfortable they were taken by their sponsor to meetings (never told where the meetings would take place, so they could not tell the Roman authorities) where they were prayed with and offered instruction in the Gospel and Christian life. (known today as BOW) This was only AFTER they showed that they were living the Christian life and had given up their pagan ways, they were then accepted into the Order of Catechumens for the next two or three years of Christian formation. They would eventually be invited by their Sponsor to the Liturgy of the Word with the whole Christian community but dismissed from the assembly before the Liturgy of the Eucharist and never allowed to even see the Liturgy of the Eucharist until the Easter Vigil. It was only after the Easter Vigil where they were explained the meaning of the Sacraments and more deeper catechesis on the Eucharist over the next year of Mystagogy.

It was only after showing that they lived the Christian life, according to the Christian moral code were they admitted to the Catechumenate.

See now this to me seems ideal and in reading the Fathers I came across several references to these type set-ups, so to speak. I like the idea of a general instruction for all as far as what has to be covered, Imean you do need some guidelines but to leave it to a diocese to train people, Idon’t know, what if you live in a loose teachin’ free wheelin’ diocese where there isn’t much cohesion from parish to parish. I like this idea best Bro Rich, secret stuff… where no one knows even who is doing the instruction other than the Parish priest or the DRE, WHO HAND PICK some “playin it by the book” types who have the gift of teaching and counsel, who God might work with in an extraordinary way. Secret stuff. Now this is one thing, goin back to the old way, literally, that would work. To me there is nothing worse than a beginner being put into the hands of a beginner. God doesn’t give all of us all of the gifts at one time.

peace and Love

 

[valient_Lucy]

Recently in my RCIA class we were taught that Constantine started the Catholic Church and he also established holy orders. From my listening and reading of Catholic Answers Live and EWTN I was under the impression that Jesus Christ himself started the Catholic church and that he established the hierarchy of holy orders himself. To me, what was said seems to come straight out of the Da vinci Code book. Am I right? If I am right should I just shut up or should I raise a fuss? Any advice would be appreciated? Thanks

Peace and

That’s pretty sad. And you’re right, Jesus started both the Catholic Church and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
As for what to do, I wish I could be more help. My RCIA class didn’t have anything like that when I was a candidate (though I did have an experience similar to that last week, though I’m not a candidate this time.) Another poster mentioned asking if that’s what the Catechism teaches, or asking where that is in the catechism. That could work. But prudence is in order, as well as respect. It’s not a good idea to challenge the teacher’s authority at every twist and turn. So, I think asking for a reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or bringing up what the Catechism teaches, could be a good way to lovingly confront the teacher. But should it be done? Certainly very infrequently. Be loving, and be respectful. And pray.
Well, that’s my opinion. But then again, I’m not a very confrontational person in real life.

 

[FredM]

Seems to me there should be a standardized course of instruction, with textbooks, overseen (really overseen) by the diocese.

If we have as many liturgical abuses at the local level, as I think is the case, how can we expect the local parish to do a decent RCIA?

Fred

 

[RosaLydia]

From the point of view of someone that has been involved in RCIA for 5 years as a sponsor/catechist/coordinator, here are my suggestions:

Be punctual. Arrive prior to the class time to settle into your sit, grab your handouts, and organize your materials.

If you arrive late, do not take 15 minutes of the class to socialize with the person next to you and then asks us to again go over the items we already covered.

If you leave class to go outside and smoke, go to another meeting, etc. and then come back just for the conclusion, do not stop the class to ask questions about the topics we already covered.

If you are a guest, do not monopolize the class with questions unrelated to the topic. If you are bringing a guest, please let your team know so that an adequate number of handouts can be prepared and chairs setup.

Bring the materials we provided: your bible, your catechism, your binder with handouts and pen and paper. If you do not bring your pen and paper, make sure you grab some extra from the ones we conveniently provide for you prior to the class. Grab your handouts prior to class. It is not fun to have 8 people get up in the middle of the class to go scramble for something to write with or on or taking 10 minutes to pass and read the handouts.

If you will not return to RCIA, please return your bible and catechism to the office or make a donation to cover the cost.

Do not miss class without a good motive, call if you are going to miss class.

While the catechist is teaching, please be courteous, pay attention, do not socialize, write little notes to other people or make loud private comments to the person sitting next to you.

Wear the name batch your team has carefully prepared for you, we would like be able to call you by your name during the class – eventually we will learn all your names.

Sign the attendance sheet, don’t assume we will be doing that for you, especially if we reminded you 3 times during the class to sign the attendance sheet.

Return to class promptly after the break is over, do not extend the break by 10 minutes more by socializing, finish food, etc.

Read the handouts that were provided prior to class so you have an idea of the topic that will be covered. Do your homework. It takes only 15 minutes and will make the class go much smoother.

If you don’t understand something, ask questions. If we ask you if there are any questions and you don’t ask questions, we assume everything was understood (and then be surprised when several classes down the road, the priest asks you about the topic and you don’t know (i.e. Class on Mary: Do we worship Mary – no, Class on the Saints: Do we worship Mary – no, then the priest asks Do we worship Mary – uh? ) then he thinks we are not teaching you.

Get your sacraments documentation in or start the process of obtaining it as soon as is requested.

If the group is in silent prayer, please maintain silence.

If you left early, did not attend, call us to find out what the announcements where, homework etc.

Please pick up your trash and put it in the trash can before you leave.

 

[RosaLydia]

From the point of view of someone that has been involved in RCIA for 5 years as a sponsor/catechist/coordinator, here are my suggestions:

Be punctual. Arrive prior to the class time to settle into your sit, grab your handouts, and organize your materials.

If you arrive late, do not take 15 minutes of the class to socialize with the person next to you and then asks us to again go over the items we already covered.

If you leave class to go outside and smoke, go to another meeting, etc. and then come back just for the conclusion, do not stop to class to ask questions about the topics we already covered.

If you are a guest, do not monopolize the class with questions unrelated to the topic. If you are bringing a guest, please let your team know so that an adequate number of handouts can be prepared and chairs setup.

Bring the materials we provided: your bible, your catechism, your binder with handouts and pen and paper. If you do not bring your pen and paper, make sure you grab some extra from the ones we conveniently provide for you prior to the class. Grab your handouts prior to class. It is not fun to have 8 people get up in the middle of the class to go scramble for something to write with or on or taking 10 minutes to pass and read the handouts.

If you will not return to RCIA, please return your bible and catechism to the office or make a donation to cover the cost.

Do not miss class without a good motive, call if you are going to miss class.

While the catechist is teaching, please be courteous, pay attention, do not socialize, write little notes to other people or make loud private comments to the person sitting next to you.

Wear the name batch your team has carefully prepared for you, we would like be able to call you by your name during the class – eventually we will learn all your names.

Sign the attendance sheet, don’t assume we will be doing that for you, especially if we reminded you 3 times during the class to sign the attendance sheet.

Return to class promptly after the break is over, do not extend the break by 10 minutes more by socializing, finish food, etc.

Read the handouts that were provided prior to class so you have an idea of the topic that will be covered. Do your homework. It takes only 15 minutes and will make the class go much smoother.

If you don’t understand something, ask questions. If we ask you if there are any questions and you don’t ask questions, we assume everything was understood (and then be surprised when several classes down the road, the priest asks you about the topic and you don’t know (i.e. Class on Mary: Do we worship Mary – no, Class on the Saints: Do we worship Mary – no, then the priest asks Do we worship Mary – uh? ) then he thinks we are not teaching you.

Get your sacraments documentation in or start the process of obtaining it as soon as is requested.

If the group is in silent prayer, please maintain silence.

If you left early, did not attend, call us to find out what the announcements where, homework etc.

Please pick up your trash and put it in the trash can before you leave.

 

[jmcrae]

I never called them dumb; I called them unfair and inappropriate. And I’m clearly not the only one who feels that way. Furthermore, I sincerely doubt they’re “God’s rules”, so much as those of a group of diocesan bishops in the US.

It’s God’s Church - everything in it comes ultimately from God. Those Bishops, for example, came from God, and Jesus gave them His authority to rule the Church (including who gets to be a member of it, and how they get in) in Matthew 16:18.

And by the way, the RCIA is the original process that was used by the Apostles to bring people into the Church - it’s private instruction that was the “man-made” (though Church-approved) method.

Theoretically, anyone can be received into the Church at any point, at the discretion of the local bishop. Happens all the time. RCIA is a Vatican II-era novelty; and it is most certainly a manmade invention.

Like Scott Hahn, for instance. Not everyone is Scott Hahn, though - some of us need at least a little bit more instruction than he did. (But I suppose that if you can write a book on the Four Marian Doctrines without making any errors, I’d give you a pass.)

 

[RosaLydia]

For catechist:

Use the catechism of the Catholic Church to prepare your classes. Not your personal opinion or something you found on the net. If you need to share your personal opinion, say, this is my personal opinion, no the teaching of the Church.

If you volunteer to teach a class, do not call the director to prepare the class or the handouts/slides for you. This is part of the responsibility of the catechist.

Arrive early to set up the class room, set up your materials and help with clean up after the class.

Bring handouts.

Prepare an entire class, not just a small lecture part with no beginning or end. Pick an opening and closing prayer/song. Do not assume the team will do this for you.

Give people references to where they can obtain additional information if they need to read more on the topic.

 

[RosaLydia]

Team:

Remember the part of Jesus washing people’s feet? The best way to lead is to serve.

Do not neglect those duties that are so necessary but not as popular (you know what they are!: setting up the classroom, cleaning up after class until the room is left as you found it, including taking out the trash, preparing coffee, setting up the break food, maintaining inventory of materials, communicating with the office, making copies, assembling binders)

If your parish is lucky enough to have childcare during RCIA, take the necessary training and volunteer on a rotating basis if you are a co-op childcare. Even if you don’t have kids there. This is part of the ministry also.

If you are using the childcare (candidate/sponsor/team) please pick up your child at the set time, not one hour after. I’ll stop here, I can have another thread just on parish childcare!

Be there early to greet and help everyone set up and feel welcomed.

For Directors

Maintain good communication, make everyone feel involved.

Do not schedule people to do anything without checking with them first.

Be organized.

Keep a RCIA binder with all the handouts, rites, forms, etc. Even better, keep everything in an electronic file. You may not be able to direct the following year and someone else is going to need all those things in some kind of order.

Be a mentor, develop leaders, provide guidance. If anyone seems to be to overwhelmed with the responsibility they got, help them find a sub or help them work it out.

Provide some spiritual enrichment opportunities for the team also, maybe set up some small faith community meeting every couple of months for team building and faith sharing, not just business talk.

Develop a network with other catechist, directors, from other parishes.

 

[RosaLydia]

For Priests/Parishes

Teach from the catechism of the Catholic Church.

Do not openly contradict a catechist and start telling the class why using the pill is OK and why NFP does not work if you had a few

Do not tell people that are preparing for their first reconciliation to pick only 1 sin to confess and work on that 1 thing only.

Make time to meet with your directors, team and catechist on a periodic basis, return their phone calls.

Set a budget even if a small one, but let the team know what the budget is. Don’t say, there is no budget, this is not realistic.

Support the RCIA program, do not say, I cannot help with anything and there is no money and I do not have a room for you to use. Talk about motivation!

Talk about the RCIA program during the Rites, people need to be educated as to who these people are.

When recruiting sponsors for RCIA, let us do pulpit talks and invitations, a simple ad in the bulleting will not do. Especially if there has been no mention of what RICA does during the Mass.

 

[Janie_Delgado]

I too am very saddened by all the complaints I’ve heard about RCIA processes. I am the coordinator at our parish for the RCIA, and have been doing so for four years now, before I went into ministry I attended courses for lay ministry, it was a two year certificate program. I think all leaders of ministries should be required to do so. Also I tell our candidates and catechumens that this is a process of conversion rather than an academicic program. We do have topics that we cover but always with the focus being on Jesus, I tell them that there is no way that we could teach them all there is to know about our faith, as our faith has so many treasures that learning is a life-long process, We ourselves the catechists are also still learning, and we never try to fake an answer if we don’t know, we let them know that we will find out for them, we’re also blessed this year with new priests and one is freshly ordained and he sits in at alot of our sessions and it’s reassuring because we can always turn to him for answers if we don’t know, and if he doesn’t know again we tell them we will find out for them. We also include a question box for those who do not feel comfortable asking a question out loud, and the one thing that really helps our group bond is that we share a meal halfway through our sessions, we have been blessed, and I hope that I can continue for as long as possible even though I feel like Job at times and feel I’m dragging my feet because I feel too tired. But one thing that I remember from my training is that when you feel too tired and feel like you can’t go on… just keep going, God will do the rest. :bowdown: If you are not comfortable with the RCIA process at your parish, find another parish, one that brings you closer to the church and to Jesus, not farther away.

 

[puzzleannie]

Seems to me there should be a standardized course of instruction, with textbooks, overseen (really overseen) by the diocese.

If we have as many liturgical abuses at the local level, as I think is the case, how can we expect the local parish to do a decent RCIA?

Fred

almost every diocese does have this
if you know a way to get every pastor and RCIA director on tap to follow it, please let me know, better yet let the bishops know, that knowledge would be worth its weight in gold.