On becoming an RCIA Catechist

[Brian_C]

I met plenty of cradle Caths that would have been good instructors in my time in RCIA. I enjoyed the experience so much I’m part of the hospitality team this year. I also try to get people talking about and understanding the night’s presentation when jwe break into smalll discussion groups. If you don’t want to present, this type of assitance may also be an option.

Andruschak, I was also one of those obnoxious know-it-alls and I can firmly tell you that knowing it and experiencing it are two different things. By Easter Vigil, I was very glad to have gone through it. It was like getting married again…

 

[Andruschak]

Andruschak, I was also one of those obnoxious know-it-alls and I can firmly tell you that knowing it and experiencing it are two different things. By Easter Vigil, I was very glad to have gone through it. It was like getting married again…

That is the conclusion I am slowly slowly coming around to. I am becoming reconciled to going through the whole process rather then ask for a short cut.

Still, I need my daily dose of RCIA from catechismclass.com and will still go on that two week retreat in February to work on my first confession.

 

[puzzleannie]

in my experience those candidates who come back with the most positive evaluations of their experience in RCIA are either those who came in knowing very little about the faith, and were very open and receptive, OR those “know-it-all troublemakers” who along the way experienced real re-conversion (something mature Christians must do from time to time, it is a continual process) and came to know humbly, as Thomas Aquinas did in the weeks before he died, the insignificance of what we do know compared to the infinity of God’s Truth. Please do not underestimate the role of the Holy Spirit in the entire RCIA process. Even a poor catechist can be a means of transmitting the truth if the participants are already open to the workings of the Spirit.

 

[bankerdavid]

It turns out my RCIA Catechuman Class finally did something useful. Yesterday we were given this 90 page booklet, but I didn’t get around to reading it until today

OUTLINES OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH, printed by The Leaflet Missal Company.

The first 65 pages are an excellent summery of the Church’s beliefs, The rest is devoted to common prayers.

Of course, being one of those RCIA Candidate’s who is an obnoxious know-it-all I didn’t learn anything new. But I will carry this booklet around to help answer questions on Faith and Doctrine that I am getting as more find out about my RCIA path.

Even better, all those prayers in the back are those I use, now in one handy booklet to carry around in my lunch bag

PLUS…pant…pant…THE NICENE CREED, which I will have to learn all over again for my Profession of Faith. I used to know all the creeds by heart back in my Lutheran Confirmation days (where I was an obnoxious know-it-all Lutheran Teenager)

There may be better booklets for the catechuman, but this will do for starters

If you’re looking for catechesis, Fr. John Corapi has a very good series (although expensive!). It’s about 48 hours of catechism, and 8 hours of q and a. The Catechism series is $300 and the Q and A is $75.

 

[Andruschak]

If you’re looking for catechesis, Fr. John Corapi has a very good series (although expensive!). It’s about 48 hours of catechism, and 8 hours of q and a. The Catechism series is $300 and the Q and A is $75.

Don’t need it, thank you. Bought a copy of the catechism for my book collection, for starters. And the daily lessons at catechismclass.com always include readings from the catechism, plus authoritive comments. Much cheaper. :twocents: