RCIA Catechumen

  • Thread starter Thread starter NanaGigi
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

NanaGigi

Guest
She’s got a Morman and Baptist background. At our first session today, she was LOST (it was on Scripture and Tradition). She is really uncatechized. She did not bond at all with the sponsor chosen for her (which I thought was a mismatch from the start but we did not have anyone else to choose).

She called me after class (I am on the teaching team and have been working with her and her husband on annulment issues) and was really upset with her sponsor and her complete lack of understanding what was taught today. I called our leader and we agreed that, in spite of my being on the team, I should be her sponsor as I am willing to spend extra time with her and answer the many questions she has already. Her husband was raised Catholic, they’ve both had other marriages and it’s a blended family of 5 kids, all of which have now been baptized. BUT, she doesn’t know anything and she wants to also help her children!

Where do I start? Our text is “This is Our Faith” but it is lacking for one who is so uncatechized. Other than the Gospel of Matthew and “Where We Got the Bible,” I need recommendations on where to get her started. Oh, and I do have the Baltimore catechism to give her too. Thanks much.
Gigi
 
NanaGigi said:
She’s got a Morman and Baptist background. At our first session today, she was LOST (it was on Scripture and Tradition). She is really uncatechized. She did not bond at all with the sponsor chosen for her (which I thought was a mismatch from the start but we did not have anyone else to choose).

She called me after class (I am on the teaching team and have been working with her and her husband on annulment issues) and was really upset with her sponsor and her complete lack of understanding what was taught today. I called our leader and we agreed that, in spite of my being on the team, I should be her sponsor as I am willing to spend extra time with her and answer the many questions she has already. Her husband was raised Catholic, they’ve both had other marriages and it’s a blended family of 5 kids, all of which have now been baptized. BUT, she doesn’t know anything and she wants to also help her children!

Where do I start? Our text is “This is Our Faith” but it is lacking for one who is so uncatechized. Other than the Gospel of Matthew and “Where We Got the Bible,” I need recommendations on where to get her started. Oh, and I do have the Baltimore catechism to give her too. Thanks much.
Gigi
Click to expand...
How much time did she spend in the Inquiry phase? Maybe that is where she needs to stay in a more informal Q and A exchange. A clear understanding of Divine Revelation needs to be put down before getting into Scripture and Tradition.
 
A couple of my favorite suggestions, (having completed them all myself).

The Catholic Home Study Service I started with,
http://www.amm.org/chss/images/chss3.gif
WE BELIEVE… A SURVEY OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH
An explanation of Catholic teaching, cross-referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and following the same structure as the Catechism: Creed, worship, Christian life, and prayer. The course studies belief in God, the Bible, the life and teaching of Jesus, the Church, Mary, the saints, life after death, the Sacraments, moral living, and Catholic prayer. Foreword by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia.
If you’d like to read a sample page from this course and take a brief quiz, CLICK HERE
Click to expand...
!also…
The Bible Christian Society
Pax tecum,
 
Thank you for your suggestions. You have given me a great place to start!

Brother, regarding “inquiry,” we are a small community and do not have separate classes for catechumens and candidates. Thus, she must attend a 2-hour class after Mass each Sunday with the candidates. She will not make it into the Church at Easter due to annulment issues. However, we though she should start the path to knowledge and join the class. I see now that I have a lot of ground to cover on God’s revelation to get her up to speed. (She is also an employee of the parish).

I only agreed to do this because I have been a 2nd grade catechist for several years. She has told me she would not be upset if I give her basic beginner books (hello Baltimore Catechism!).

Thanks again,
Gigi
 
NanaGigi said:
Thank you for your suggestions. You have given me a great place to start!

Brother, regarding “inquiry,” we are a small community and do not have separate classes for catechumens and candidates. Thus, she must attend a 2-hour class after Mass each Sunday with the candidates. She will not make it into the Church at Easter due to annulment issues. However, we though she should start the path to knowledge and join the class. I see now that I have a lot of ground to cover on God’s revelation to get her up to speed. (She is also an employee of the parish).

I only agreed to do this because I have been a 2nd grade catechist for several years. She has told me she would not be upset if I give her basic beginner books (hello Baltimore Catechism!).

Thanks again,
Gigi
Click to expand...
The Compendium of the Catechism is the “new” Baltimore style Catechism for adults. The Inquiry phase is for both Catechumens and Candidates it is the 2 to 6 months before the Rites of Acceptance for Catechumens and Welcome for Candidates. It can take place in any size parish community. Doing so avoids the suprises you have discovered with this Catechumen and allows the sponsor to settle into the role before formal catechesis begins. Also remember that the time line of Sept to Apr is not cast in stone and a Catechumen can take even 2 or 3 years in the RCIA process.
 
if it is at all possible for you to hold a one on one “inquiry” class with this lady at a time mutually convenient for you both, it would help immensely. it is very unfortunate when this phase, also called pre-evangelization, is ignored or skipped over. someone should not be admitted to the Rite of Acceptance or Rite of Welcoming until they have been through this phase and are ready to take that step. Certainly no one with unresolved annulment issues. It is a real disservice when not enough time is allowed for initial proclamation of the Gospel and the questions that are inevitable to be addressed. Remember that as a Mormon she has not heard the Gospel in the light of the mind of the Church, even though she may be somewhat Bible literate. it would be a burden on you, but a great ministry if you can manage it.
 
As an ex-Mormon turned Assembly of God turned Catholic, I want to help! 😉 If you would be so kind as to send me a PM I will give you my email and if it is ok with this lady, I could mentor her as she finds her way back to Rome.

in Christ
Steph
 
“someone should not be admitted to the Rite of Acceptance or Rite of Welcoming until they have been through this phase and are ready to take that step. Certainly no one with unresolved annulment issues.”

Not to worry - no Rites for her, She is only attending class to learn. Rite of Welcome is not for a few weeks and only for Candidates.

Gigi
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
How much time did she spend in the Inquiry phase? Maybe that is where she needs to stay in a more informal Q and A exchange. A clear understanding of Divine Revelation needs to be put down before getting into Scripture and Tradition.
Click to expand...
I like the idea of a Q and A exchange.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top