My church is different

[damooster]

I was just told by my sponsor that our church treats catachumens a bit differently: where other parrishes dismiss catachumens before communion, ours does not. I thought all parrishes did this until he told me, and now I feel like the process has been “lessened” a bit. I’ve been to Mass several times and have seen it in its entirety, but apparently I wasn’t supposed to, and now I kind of wish I hadn’t. I hope that makes sense; I guess I’m trying to say that I wanted to enjoy the journey everyone else takes, and if communion was supposed to be a “surprise” for me, well, I got my surprise early.

Does any of your churches do this? Mine is very “liberal” and I sometimes wish I had a more traditional church.

 

[Drilling4Truth]

The journey is a bit different depending on the parish and even the diocese. When I did RCIA, we were never dismissed prior to the Eucharist. I would often go up to receive a blessing. I had no idea that in other parishes the candidates and catechumens left early. Personally, I loved staying for the entire Mass.

There are no “secrets” in the Church to be privy to once you’re fully received. Everything is out in the open for all to discover. Trust me, you’re going through what all of us who swim the Tiber experienced.

Keep reading, keep learning and keep an open heart. You’ll be in my prayers.

 

[Charbeau]

My parish also does not dismiss anyone prior to the Eucharist feast. I do not go up for a blessing, the priest offers a blessing to everyone present at the end of the Mass, so I kneel and pray and quietly and then participate in the final hymn.

I had no idea some parishes dismiss catechumens prior to the Eucharist. Very interesting!

 

[Schluns]

Nope, none of the parishes I have attended dismiss catechumens prior to the eucharist. I do a lot of traveling, and have never seen this practice performed. Attending Mass for 18months prior to
Entering the Church, I kneeled and prayed during the Eucharist.

Now If you mean that “if communion was supposed to be a “surprise” for me, well, I got my surprise early.” is that you partook of the Eucharist, than that is another issue all together.

As far as “liberal” and traditional churches go, I attend a very traditional church. so I don’t think that is the issue with your church in this regard.

 

[KingAlfred]

I was just told by my sponsor that our church treats catachumens a bit differently: where other parrishes dismiss catachumens before communion, ours does not. I thought all parrishes did this until he told me, and now I feel like the process has been “lessened” a bit. I’ve been to Mass several times and have seen it in its entirety, but apparently I wasn’t supposed to, and now I kind of wish I hadn’t. I hope that makes sense; I guess I’m trying to say that I wanted to enjoy the journey everyone else takes, and if communion was supposed to be a “surprise” for me, well, I got my surprise early.

Does any of your churches do this? Mine is very “liberal” and I sometimes wish I had a more traditional church.

I understand your frustration, but how important is it, really, considering the ‘big picture’? How will this affect your relationship with God and His Church? Personally, I find the business of dismissing catachumens a bit strange. I’m sure the vast majority of people in attendance have no idea what’s going on. Some might even think the catachumens are being punished.

 

[CalCatholic]

I was just told by my sponsor that our church treats catachumens a bit differently: where other parrishes dismiss catachumens before communion, ours does not. I thought all parrishes did this until he told me, and now I feel like the process has been “lessened” a bit. I’ve been to Mass several times and have seen it in its entirety, but apparently I wasn’t supposed to, and now I kind of wish I hadn’t. I hope that makes sense; I guess I’m trying to say that I wanted to enjoy the journey everyone else takes, and if communion was supposed to be a “surprise” for me, well, I got my surprise early.

Does any of your churches do this? Mine is very “liberal” and I sometimes wish I had a more traditional church.

Dismissing catechumens after the homily is not a punishment but a time for the RCIA team members to talk and discuss the meaning of the three readings that were read in Mass. This is part of the development process of the catechumens and is written in the RCIA manuel. As far as I know, this is not supposed to be an option for the un-baptized (catechumens). Candidates (baptized) do not get dismissed.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

…: where other parrishes dismiss catachumens before communion, ours does not…

… When I did RCIA, we were never dismissed prior to the Eucharist…

My parish also does not dismiss anyone prior to the Eucharist feast…
I had no idea some parishes dismiss catechumens prior to the Eucharist. Very interesting!

Are these small parishes, with one mass per week?

Nope, none of the parishes I have attended dismiss catechumens prior to the eucharist. I do a lot of traveling, and have never seen this practice performed. Attending Mass for 18months prior to Entering the Church, I kneeled and prayed during the Eucharist. …

You realize dismissal usually occur from Advent to Easter ( basically Dec, Jan., Feb., March) and then only during one mass?

 

[Texas_Roofer]

… Personally, I find the business of dismissing catachumens a bit strange. I’m sure the vast majority of people in attendance have no idea what’s going on. Some might even think the catachumens are being punished.

That is a concern
If the laity is not well catechized we should work harder, not discontinue catholic practices

 

[puzzleannie]

I was just told by my sponsor that our church treats catachumens a bit differently: where other parishes dismiss catachumens before communion, ours does not. I
. . .
Does any of your churches do this? Mine is very “liberal” and I sometimes wish I had a more traditional church.

we don’t because I cannot manage the logistics, and the catechists and I would have to attend 2 or 3 Masses each weekend. As long as “Breaking Open the Word” is part of the catechumens’ preparation, dismissal is not required, but it does have sign value and catechetical value for both the catechumens and the parishioners.

we only have one Spanish Mass, so if we dismissed catechumens from that Mass, catechists would have to come to another Mass, which they would rather not do. Some parishes have dismissal and BOTW on Sunday, and the catechetical sessions on another night, but we are booked with CCD and other adult programs every night of the week, so Sunday morning is it for the time being.

If the catechumens, and parishioners, are not receiving ongoing catechesis on the RCIA, including the reason for dismissal and other rites along the way, IMO the dismissal should not be done.

 

[damooster]

I understand your frustration, but how important is it, really, considering the ‘big picture’? How will this affect your relationship with God and His Church? Personally, I find the business of dismissing catachumens a bit strange. I’m sure the vast majority of people in attendance have no idea what’s going on. Some might even think the catachumens are being punished.

It pales in regards to the big picture, but I’m a guy that wants to enjoy the journey too. It doesn’t affect my relationship with God at all; I just wanted the same experience that other catachumens experience.

 

[damooster]

Dismissing catechumens after the homily is not a punishment but a time for the RCIA team members to talk and discuss the meaning of the three readings that were read in Mass. This is part of the development process of the catechumens and is written in the RCIA manuel. As far as I know, this is not supposed to be an option for the un-baptized (catechumens). Candidates (baptized) do not get dismissed.

I would prefer to follow the process written in the RCIA manual. I understand the three readings, but it would be nice to be dismissed before communion to learn more about them.

My sponsor said that the Father does not like to dismiss catachumens because he doesn’t want us to feel left out, which I respect. It does make it awkward when I don’t get to sit up front (for Rites and stuff like that) where people know I’m not allowed to receive communion, but when I’m in the pew with everyone else, they look at me funny when I don’t go up for communion.

 

[CalCatholic]

I would prefer to follow the process written in the RCIA manual. I understand the three readings, but it would be nice to be dismissed before communion to learn more about them.

My sponsor said that the Father does not like to dismiss catachumens because he doesn’t want us to feel left out, which I respect. It does make it awkward when I don’t get to sit up front (for Rites and stuff like that) where people know I’m not allowed to receive communion, but when I’m in the pew with everyone else, they look at me funny when I don’t go up for communion.

Don’t worry, no one is looking at you if you you do not receive communion, this is common in the Church. When I started going to mass (before I went to RCIA), I went up and received a blessing during communion, this made me feel like I was part of the Church. So don’t worry, follow your pastor’s wishes, go through RCIA, and you will be received at the Lord’s table soon. God bless you!

 

[Charbeau]

Are these small parishes, with one mass per week?

My parish is actually really big, 3 Masses on Sunday and daily Masses offered every day of the week.

In fact, being dismissed has never even been brought up and I had never heard of it until this thread. This is our RCIA leader’s first year so maybe she just doesn’t know?

 

[quiet52]

In parishes where catechumens are dismissed after the homily for breaking open the Word with an RCIA leader, that RCIA leader must attend another full Mass to fulfill his or her obligation. Some just aren’t able to because of family or other obligations. Yes, sad to say, “people resources” are scarce in some parishes. Perhaps in the future, OP can consider helping with the RCIA process – perhaps even consider being trained to help with the breaking open the Word after dismissal.