New Catechist: RCIA

[rhlee]

Hi All,
I am a new RCIA team member this year. I am 46 and converted 10 years ago. This Wednesday, Oct. 1, I am scheduled to teach “the mystery of sin” and am scared to death. I’ve never taught before and don’t know where to begin. I have always been afraid of public speaking but I feel that the Holy Spirit is leading me to do this. I haven’t contacted other team members for help yet because I was hoping to be able to do this on my own. I have the following books; Mahing Desciples, Essentials of the Faith and the Catechism. I’ve read the content but am not sure how to effectively present it. I would appreciate any and all help and suggestions.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[puzzleannie]

the outline in Making Disciples is very good for telling you what must be covered, and the order in which to make your presentation. it is quite okay simply to read it until you get comfortable with speaking more off the cuff. after you have done it a couple of times, you will find it much easier to deliver what you have to say more naturally. seize on 2 or 3 main points you want them to remember, and when you wrap it up, emphasize those points. put tabbies or posties on the pages in each of the books you will be using, and highlight the parts you will be reading, so you don’t have to fumble with the books

 

[steelboss]

You and I are in the same boat.
I just gave a lesson on the scripture a couple weeks back.

Here are my tips and tricks:

1. Don’t make anything up.
   • If you don’t know, say so. Then go find the answer.
   • Feel free to admit you aren’t a theologian, but one of them ten years removed. Bond!
2. Audience participation.
   • Develop some questions…What is sin? Who is Satan?
   • Have them discuss it.
   • Let them ask questions, odds are they have a thousand.
3. Read scripture.
   • Protestants just loooove to read the Bible.
   • Discussing those same scriptures from a Catholic paradigm can be a real eye opener for them.
4. Home made cookies and milk

• You just can’t go wrong.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

K.I.S. ( keep it simple)
What is required to sin? (violation of Natural Moral law, intent, knowledge)
What is not sin? (random thoughts, accidents, blind actions)
What is venial sin?
What is moral sin?
What is original sin?
How is sin dispensed? ( reconciliation, penance, contrition)
Why does god not remove sin from earth?
Is our temptation to sin our test?
As mentioned by others allow the catechumens to get involved

PS you may want to be ready for “Why confess to a Priest?”

 

[rhlee]

Hi All,
this went better than I expected. Monday morning I started to panic and the anxiety was making me physically ill. I called a senior team member who promised to help me. I immediately felt better. Monday evening she called and gave me a simple lesson plan. After an opening prayer and reading the scripture from Making desciples, we read from essentials of the Faith because this is what the students read between sessions. From there we read a combination of scripture and catechism. We are very lucky to have 3 senior team members who are very knowledgable, one of which is a walking talking encyclopedia of liturgical, catholic, and religious knowledge. All I had to do was lead the class, instruct them what to read and the questions and responses came pouring out. The class neither ran too long nor too short. I actually received a round of applause afterwards. Unbelievable!!! Speaking in public has always been my biggest phobia and I joined RCIA hoping that speaking God’s words would help me overcome this. It really worked. I can’t wait to do this again. Gotta love the spirit.
Thank you all for you help and God bless.

Rick

 

[Joe_Kelley]

You and I are in the same boat.
I just gave a lesson on the scripture a couple weeks back.

Here are my tips and tricks:

1. Don’t make anything up.
   • If you don’t know, say so. Then go find the answer.
   • Feel free to admit you aren’t a theologian, but one of them ten years removed. Bond!
2. Audience participation.
   • Develop some questions…What is sin? Who is Satan?
   • Have them discuss it.
   • Let them ask questions, odds are they have a thousand.
3. Read scripture.
   • Protestants just loooove to read the Bible.
   • Discussing those same scriptures from a Catholic paradigm can be a real eye opener for them.
4. Home made cookies and milk

• You just can’t go wrong.

Great approach. As the year goes on let the students bring the cookies and milk.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi All,
this went better than I expected. Monday morning I started to panic and the anxiety was making me physically ill. IRick

not good–get over this quick
right move, calling the team member
you will find as you go on that as long as you prepare and pray, the Holy Spirit will handle the rest. Trust. let go of the anxiety and remember Who is in charge here. brush away the bad energy, brush, brush, brush. breathe . . .
prepare and pray

 

[Paganus]

Hi All,
this went better than I expected. Monday morning I started to panic and the anxiety was making me physically ill. I called a senior team member who promised to help me. I immediately felt better. Monday evening she called and gave me a simple lesson plan. After an opening prayer and reading the scripture from Making desciples, we read from essentials of the Faith because this is what the students read between sessions. From there we read a combination of scripture and catechism. We are very lucky to have 3 senior team members who are very knowledgable, one of which is a walking talking encyclopedia of liturgical, catholic, and religious knowledge. All I had to do was lead the class, instruct them what to read and the questions and responses came pouring out. The class neither ran too long nor too short. I actually received a round of applause afterwards. Unbelievable!!! Speaking in public has always been my biggest phobia and I joined RCIA hoping that speaking God’s words would help me overcome this. It really worked. I can’t wait to do this again. Gotta love the spirit.
Thank you all for you help and God bless.

Rick

Good job!

Teaching RCIA is very rewarding. I found that a daily Rosary and weekly Reconciliation really helped with the anxiety.