Improving RCIA

[Wildkit]

I have read a number of remarks that I am considering as my youngest son begins the journey. No system is perfect as we all know. Yet I wish more RICA teachers would read the faith and word that is fortunately out there for us today versus 100 years ago.

Please, pray for my son,…not just in words, but in your prayers tonight.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Ok, I don’t actually have too much time, but I want to go through some things that I think could make the RCIA process a better one.
1 All team leaders should go through some sort of training process with the diocese, with an emphasis on understanding what the Catholic Church teaches, for perhaps a year or so.
2 All Catholics who know and believe their Catholic faith (that includes nearly everyone here) should go to the RCIA meetings, meet the candidates, and be willing to state what the Catholic Church teaches, even if the teacher doesn’t know it. (Ideally, if the first idea is followed through eventually, this will be less necessary. But untill then, we need to step up.)
3 Every RCIA team leader should be able to make the same proclamation that the Candidates make before they are welcomed into the Church, “I believe and profess everything that the Catholic Church teaches to be revealed from God.” I read in one of Karl Keating’s e-mails that a Bishop required every lector/EMHC/ or teacher to take an oath defending the teachings of the Church, including the teachings of homosexuality, abortion, and contraception. Make sure the leaders are going to teach the Catholic Faith.
4 All Catechumans/Candidates should go through an entrance interview that attempts to discern why they want to become Catholic, how much they understand of Church teaching, do they pray, etc…
5 The RCIA should use some sort of standard book (perhaps the Compendium to the Catechism) to educate people about the faith.

Ok. I’ll add some more when I think of them. I’m going to RCIA tonight to fulfill #2 of my suggestions.

 

[jmcrae]

How can a person involved in public unconfessed sin receive Sacraments? Baptism, Confirmation, or Eucharist?

They can’t. He has just started RCIA and is in the Inquiry process.

Since confession requires true repentence and a firm purpose of amendment, the fact that there is still a “live-in” suggests that either there was no confession or the confession was not valid.

He won’t be baptized at Easter if he hasn’t gotten this situation straightened out by then.

In order to be a sponsor, an individual must be a practicing Catholic and cannot be now or future spouse of the sponsored individual. (You can’t marry your mother, and you can’t marry your Godmother either.)

Marsha

Good point. And yes, he intends to marry his girlfriend - “some day.” We’ll see. Meanwhile, keep him in your prayers.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Parish Catechetical Leader

That’s a new one on me.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Why not? Were you not qualified, according to canon law?

(And while we’re on the subject, has anyone got a gentle and pastoral way of telling a gentleman that his living-together girlfriend can’t be his sponsor? I’ve already mentioned to him that it is less than ideal that he is living with a girl, and that he needs to find a way to get out of that situation.)

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.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

It is new and it evolved for the fact that most (not all) but most DRE’s were hired to implement childrens Faith Formation programs. And that is where their focus has been stuck. Some DRE’s moved into a more comprehensive view. But the PCL title was intended for a person who had ALL catechetical requirements of a praish in perspective and properly ordered, beginning with Adult programs.

 

[Birdysboy]

Ok, I don’t actually have too much time, but I want to go through some things that I think could make the RCIA process a better one.
1 All team leaders should go through some sort of training process with the diocese, with an emphasis on understanding what the Catholic Church teaches, for perhaps a year or so.
2 All Catholics who know and believe their Catholic faith (that includes nearly everyone here) should go to the RCIA meetings, meet the candidates, and be willing to state what the Catholic Church teaches, even if the teacher doesn’t know it. (Ideally, if the first idea is followed through eventually, this will be less necessary. But untill then, we need to step up.)
3 Every RCIA team leader should be able to make the same proclamation that the Candidates make before they are welcomed into the Church, “I believe and profess everything that the Catholic Church teaches to be revealed from God.” I read in one of Karl Keating’s e-mails that a Bishop required every lector/EMHC/ or teacher to take an oath defending the teachings of the Church, including the teachings of homosexuality, abortion, and contraception. Make sure the leaders are going to teach the Catholic Faith.
4 All Catechumans/Candidates should go through an entrance interview that attempts to discern why they want to become Catholic, how much they understand of Church teaching, do they pray, etc…
5 The RCIA should use some sort of standard book (perhaps the Compendium to the Catechism) to educate people about the faith.

Ok. I’ll add some more when I think of them. I’m going to RCIA tonight to fulfill #2 of my suggestions.

We are truly kindred in what we think. I serve on Wednesday nights. I think a standardized text could be an awesome study guide. Work it around the daily mass readings, the rosary and the stations of the cross. Do vocabulary, bible verses and moral theology. Call it something like “On this Rock” or something like that.

 

[jmcrae]

We are truly kindred in what we think. I serve on Wednesday nights. I think a standardized text could be an awesome study guide. Work it around the daily mass readings, the rosary and the stations of the cross. Do vocabulary, bible verses and moral theology. Call it something like “On this Rock” or something like that.

Or how about “The Ligouri Press RCIA Pamphlet Series.” I swear by these - they’re fantastic.

 

[puzzleannie]

Ok, so let’s talk about wonderful comments like this, which is so typical of so many. Just do what the Church says. Ok so maybe the Church should, like I suggested, provide a complete lesson plan, a textbook and everything else that the Parish Priest needs to do his job in teaching the candidates. Or is that too much to ask? ?

there are many excellent Catholic publishers who have provided exactly this, OSV, Liguori, and the gold standard ACM (Association of Catechumenal Ministry, the last RCIA program materials you will ever need) are 3 outstanding examples that come to mind. However for some reason, maybe because it is so hard to get volunteers to run it, RCIA seems to attract the wispiest, hand-holding, feeling-sharing, touchy-feely wimpy Catholics to lead the programs. These kinds of people can’t stand the idea that there is exactly something we are required to believe, know and assent to, they are still stuck in some 70s if it feels good do it alternative universe.

The Church has provided everything the pastor needs. Now all he has to do is implement it, and keep tabs on those he delegates to do so.

 

[puzzleannie]

(And while we’re on the subject, has anyone got a gentle and pastoral way of telling a gentleman that his living-together girlfriend can’t be his sponsor? .)

you simply enforce what the RCIA ritual book and supporting documents strongly recommend: spouses, fiances and SOs should not be sponsors during the RCIA process (the catechumenate, the part before Lent). It it is not wise to have them along as the individual is undergoing what is essentially a conversion process, even more than a catechetical process. The reason is exactly what you state. In areas of conflict or areas that are calling for a change of heart, this person might be part of the problems. People criticize the Church and RCIA specifically for having too many rules, but the rules are usually grounded in wisdom.

 

[puzzleannie]

It is new and it evolved for the fact that most (not all) but most DRE’s were hired to implement childrens Faith Formation programs. And that is where their focus has been stuck. Some DRE’s moved into a more comprehensive view. But the PCL title was intended for a person who had ALL catechetical requirements of a praish in perspective and properly ordered, beginning with Adult programs.

very true, most DREs or CREs (Catechist Runs Everything) like me were hired with a specific job description covering children in grades 1-6 or 1-8. Most of us by default, since parishes refuse to hire qualified youth ministers or adult faith formation coordinators, are also doing RCIA for all ages, as well as Confirmation for youth and whatever youth programs there are. We have angst about all the adult ed we are not doing, but hey, mon, iz not my job.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

you simply enforce what the RCIA ritual book and supporting documents strongly recommend: spouses, fiances and SOs should not be sponsors during the RCIA process (the catechumenate, the part before Lent). It it is not wise to have them along as the individual is undergoing what is essentially a conversion process, even more than a catechetical process. The reason is exactly what you state. In areas of conflict or areas that are calling for a change of heart, this person might be part of the problems. People criticize the Church and RCIA specifically for having too many rules, but the rules are usually grounded in wisdom.

Could you tell me where in the Rite that is?

 

[jmcrae]

I want to disagree (slightly) with this statement. I do not deny that prayer protects us from heresy. However, I do not believe that prayer alone will protect people from heresy. After all, many Protestants have fantastic prayer lives, but they still deny the Real Presence.

Probably because they don’t pray the Rosary, the Stations, or the Mass.

The best way for a teacher to protect a Catholic from heresy is to instruct them in what the Church teaches.

Yes, this is also very important. But their ears won’t be unstopped to be able to hear and understand the teaching, unless they are also praying.

If a teacher encourages them to pray a lot, but also makes no effort to instruct their class as to the teachings of the Church, the students will not recognize heresy when they are confronted with it, and will not be able to reject it.
How can a Catholic reject heresy if they don’t even know what heresy is?

By being so imbibed in the Truth through constant repetition in prayer (lex orandi, lex credendi - as we pray, so we believe) that heresy is immediately revealed for the weak and dirty counterfeit that it is.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Probably because they don’t pray the Rosary, the Stations, or the Mass.

Yes, this is also very important. But their ears won’t be unstopped to be able to hear and understand the teaching, unless they are also praying.

By being so imbibed in the Truth through constant repetition in prayer (lex orandi, lex credendi - as we pray, so we believe) that heresy is immediately revealed for the weak and dirty counterfeit that it is.

Ideally, we’d combine the two for an effective way to confront heresy.
That would be the makings of an excellent RCIA program.

 

[valient_Lucy]

#5 The catechumans, candidates, sponsors, and team members should regularly have Holy Hours as part of their class, perhaps once a month.

 

[valient_Lucy]

#6 Every RCIA class should have a session on salvation, and what that means in the Catholic Faith.
#7 One of the first things that the Catechumans and Candidates should learn is about the Mass. They should all attend one Mass together, and meet afterwards to ask questions and discuss their impressions of the Mass.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I am less certain about the time period for the RCIA. I understand that some churches have an Inquiry stage that lasts a full year before the Rite of Acceptance, but I would have been very discouraged at spending a year before I could make steps to become Catholic. (If my RCIA program had been 2 years instead of one, I would still not be able to recieve the Eucharist!)
Perhaps, as others have said, parishes and dioceses should begin to emphasize that the RCIA process really is for people who have not yet been baptized, and the full year Inquiry stage should be given to those who are preparing for Baptism, since they typically don’t have any faith formation. However, I know someone who was in our group who had been baptized and couldn’t locate the Gospels in the Bible.
Perhaps each catechuman/candidate should be interviewed extensively (maybe even more than once) to determine if they should go through a longer Inquiry period. They should take into consideration the person’s religious background, how much they know about the Catholic faith, do they attend Mass, how long have they attended Mass, do they pray, read Scriptures, etc…

 

[Birdysboy]

Ok, as to WHAT resources are available there is no doubt material is available. Whether those texts are well known it is the Church’s responsiblity. I get the feeling that the support system needs alot of work. Priests need to be involved in the teaching. But the Bishop is ultimately responsible to educating the flock. Maybe a Diocese is better equipped to handling this vitally important issue. Acreditting RCIA instructors and requiring a morality investigation prior to final acredidation.

The other questions:

The HOW. Is the class best a lecture or a seminar? I like asking students alot of questions in class. It forces you to think as a student and reinforces learning.

The WHY. Practical reasons, why do we do the rosary, why is the Host elevated, why are relics in the altar and not in the grave, etc. I like to give stickies to best question, stump the teacher get a happy meal.

The WHO. Not everybody likes the teacher. I might look like the dog catcher or smell like your neighbor or something else I can’t help. So if I do one little thing that irritates you, then how as a teacher how can I overcome this?

The WHERE: Does anyone do field trips? Do you visit other churches? Do you have a mass demonstration class where the priest can walk you through the liturgy?

The WHEN: How can we overcome the fact that the adults come to class after working all day dealing with the trials and tribulations of life and do we as teachers recognize that? That maybe it is our job to break up the monotony and make class interesting?

 

[valient_Lucy]

My biggest problem with my RCIA class was that it seemed like everyones opinion on faith was accepted and correct. While it is good to share peoples experiences in their faith journey during RCIA, I got frustrated when someone in the class would say something that contradicated Catholic teaching and the teacher wouldnt speak up and correct them or state what the Church taught on the matter. I tried to once and all I got was a blank look from the teacher and the rest of the class. If it wasnt for this web-site and the articles on CA I wouldnt have a clue what the church really taught on certain matters. I wish I could go back in time and do RCIA over again so I could have contributed more to the experience.

Can you go and sit in on the classes? At my parish, many parishoners (including myself) sit in on the RCIA classes as a sign of solidarity with the people in the process. Could you sit in on the classes and speak up in class?

 

[JoeyWarren]

Can you go and sit in on the classes? At my parish, many parishoners (including myself) sit in on the RCIA classes as a sign of solidarity with the people in the process. Could you sit in on the classes and speak up in class?

of course. I would be wary of a chruch that did not allow this.

Officially our RCIA is called “RCIA/Inquiry” class. We advertise it in this manner.

"We will be conducting RCIA/Inquiry classes on Wednesday Night for those that want a refresher in the Catechism and the the Church teaches, for those that are considering conversion to Catholicism, and for those non-Catholics that wish to learn more about the Catholic faith.

It is not restricted to those wishing to convert only.