Omitting Some RCIA classes

[AngelRose81]

I just wondered if it was ok that instead of the 7 classes of RCIA after the Easter Vigil and before Pentecost, only 3 are held? My RCIA instructors felt that after having the 7 many times, people just weren’t attending so they cut it down to 3 so that everyone would be able to attend. Is this ok?

 

[jc-servant]

Some places don’t even do this much. Our parish uses this time to help transition converts into parish life by having people come in from most of our ministries/organizations to explain what they are about and how to be an “active” Catholic. I guess you could do it on an accelerated schedule if attendance tapers.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I just wondered if it was ok that instead of the 7 classes of RCIA after the Easter Vigil and before Pentecost, only 3 are held? My RCIA instructors felt that after having the 7 many times, people just weren’t attending so they cut it down to 3 so that everyone would be able to attend. Is this ok?

Formal Instruction should continue until Penecost, informal Mystagogy continues for a year. Most of the time if a one week break is taken after Easter and then the weekly sessions resume everyone returns to the weekly routine. This of course assumes that they have enjoyed and been drawn into the RCIA process and not had a coffee and donuts night each week.

Hopefully this turns into a regular Adult education night for them, discussing their topics.

 

[puzzleannie]

the more the neophytes participate after Easter in mystagogy and parish life, the more likely they are to still be practicing Catholics in 5 years, or even one year. The weekly class should continue until Pentecost, and during that time there should also be something social with at least some of the regular parishioners, and neophytes should be encouraged to participate in some parish life or ministry activity. There should be some kind of get togethers during the next year, and a support network (this is where the sponsors come in) someone to call with questions or difficulties.

 

[AngelRose81]

Thanks for all your responses. At our RCIA meeting Tuesday, we were told that the main reason for not having all the meetings was because by the end of it no one but the RCIA team ended up coming. But they did tell us that the whole process really continues for another 2 years during which the sponsor is supposed to be “attached at the hip” with the neophyte so as to continue to be active in the Church. Just to be able to continue to be active I’ve started going to Daily Mass and weekly Bible study just so I can learn more. I hope to be more active than this eventually if I can ever get out of grad school! Again thanks for your responses and keep me and the rest of my RCIA group in your prayers!