RCIA class 2018-2019 ✝️

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrsdizzyd
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
We start next week. I teach and we use the Symbalon program. I recommend it.
 
I’m curious, do any parishes have RCIA taught by priests, or is it lay instructors most of the time?
 
For us it depends on the pastor, some are teachers, others do not want to teach. We have begun Symbalon as our newish pastor does not teach. Language can be a barrier.
 
TheLittleLady said:
For us it depends on the pastor, some are teachers, others do not want to teach. We have begun Symbalon as our newish pastor does not teach. Language can be a barrier.
Click to expand...
Good point.

Our pastor is a professor. He loves to teach.
 
I wish ours was taught by priests or deacons. Unfortunately, the priest shortage in our area makes that impossible. Our priest covers two parishes, does daily Mass at at least one, and most days both churches, and over the course of Saturday/Sunday, does two English and two Spanish Masses. He really is being worked to death.
 
EricF said:
I wish ours was taught by priests or deacons. Unfortunately, the priest shortage in our area makes that impossible. Our priest covers two parishes, does daily Mass at at least one, and most days both churches, and over the course of Saturday/Sunday, does two English and two Spanish Masses. He really is being worked to death.
Click to expand...
Good grief!

Well, I’m sure he is glad to have you helping with RCIA!
 
Last edited:
Our parish is blessed with enthusiastic volunteers. We are one of the only parishes left in our diocese that has PSR classes K-12. Many have had to cut back to first communion/confirmation only. It’s a sad bleak state of affairs out here.
 
Are you in the US?

It’s sad that so many areas of the US are effectively missionary areas.
 
Yes, rural western Kansas. Our diocese has a reciprocal relationship with a diocese in the Philippines. That is where our priest is from.
 
This may work in smaller parishes but for even medium sized parishes it is impossible for the priest to commit to a weekly class in addition to everything else they do. Most often the priest will come in to teach a few sessions that should only be taught by priests.

Our priests do six weekend Masses, daily Mass, one evening Mass during the week, one school Mass during the week, and one Mass at the local college every week. And they both handle all the other duties of parish priests, as well has help with faith formation for all ages.
 
We aren’t a small parish. We have about 8000 parishioners. 6 weekend masses, 2 daily masses, a weekly EF mass, campus ministry, etc.

Obviously it’s not going to be practical for every parish. In our case, the pastor just enjoys doing it, so he makes it happen.
 
Last edited:
CelticWarlord said:
It’s the social involvement I shy away from
Click to expand...
Maybe you could drop in on a session or two, just to gauge the social involvement, give it a test drive. I know someone who has tried starting two years in a row, and for whatever reason, dropped out. Everyone has their own timeline.
 
I start RCIA at the end of September. I have been attending mass for most of the past 18 months and managed to get to one RCIA class last year.

This year, I have made sure that I have no trips planned and will be home for the full course.

Alex
 
Thanks, Dlee. Another factor, though less of one, is that I’m often up for work at 3am. Since I’m usually in bed by 7:30 and RCIA is in the evenings, I’d probably sleep through most of it.
 
At our parish, the class is taught by fellow parishioners with the help of deacons.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top