RCIA Class help?

[AshleyGraham]

Hey!

First post as I just joined today and I’m looking for seem advice.

My fiancé and myself are currently attending RCIA classes. We have been going since September 27th 2012. I’m posting to ask what we should have learned at this stage, as as we seem to do is take turns reading out of a book and telling the group leader “what we got out of that” passage we read (when really we are all just trying to read the huge passages without messing up!) We have had a priest present three times, those three classes were by far better and more informative than the ones without him, and we have been made to sit in a freezing cramped room (and even a kitchen, sitting on stools with the gas cooker on for heat) on more than one occasion, it was so cold we eventually told everyone they could come to our home for the classes. We both looked forward to starting these classes, but so far we could have did it all in the comfort of our own home as all we are doing is reading a book. Is this the way we are meant to be at this stage? If I wasn’t determined to become a catholic I would have given up on these classes as they are less than informative and I feel like I haven’t learned anything in the 4 months I have been going. I’m going to say to the group leader at our class tomorrow, but just wanted to see what other people’s opinions and experiences of RCIA are.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

Ashley

 

[kkollwitz]

“I haven’t learned anything in the 4 months I have been going.”

I am not surprised, when classtime is squandered like so:

“take turns reading out of a book and telling the group leader “what we got out of that” passage we read”

You might as well face it: you’re going to have to study and learn the faith on your own outside of class. But that’s what Christians are supposed to do anyway.

Are you coming out of a Christian background?

 

[Ophelia23]

Hi Ashley,

First, I want to offer a big and warm WELCOME TO THE FAITH! You are so loved by our Creator, and I am incredibly excited for your and your fiance in your journey!!

In regards to your question, it is difficult to say what exactly you should know by the 4 month period. I would suggest some outside reading to aid you in your learning. One of the amazing and beautiful things about Catholicism is that it is like a river: a big, deep river full of life, movement of the Spirit, and development. Once we begin learning, we are never to stop. I would recommend possibly taking a look at YouCat. It is a youth version of the Catechism, but I think it is useful for people of all ages. The language is pretty straightforward and helpful.

ignatius.com/Products/CategoryCenter.aspx?SearchTerm=youcat

Otherwise, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an amazingly vibrant and complete gathering of Church Teaching. You can find it any Catholic Book store, and your parish may even have a copy that you can have.

Finally, another suggestion is Catholicism for Dummies. If you can get past the title (you are certainly not a Dummy ) then it is also a pretty concise and straightforward introduction to the faith.

Also becoming a part of groups such as this Forum, and groups in your local parish will greatly help your learning and your growth. You may encounter some in this forum who are perhaps a little harsh from time to time, but you will find overall that we are supportive of one another and try our best to help each other learn and grow. My heart and my prayers are with you on this journey.

 

[triumphguy]

Hey!

First post as I just joined today and I’m looking for seem advice.

My fiancé and myself are currently attending RCIA classes. We have been going since September 27th 2012. I’m posting to ask what we should have learned at this stage, as as we seem to do is take turns reading out of a book and telling the group leader “what we got out of that” passage we read (when really we are all just trying to read the huge passages without messing up!) We have had a priest present three times, those three classes were by far better and more informative than the ones without him, and we have been made to sit in a freezing cramped room (and even a kitchen, sitting on stools with the gas cooker on for heat) on more than one occasion, it was so cold we eventually told everyone they could come to our home for the classes. We both looked forward to starting these classes, but so far we could have did it all in the comfort of our own home as all we are doing is reading a book. Is this the way we are meant to be at this stage? If I wasn’t determined to become a catholic I would have given up on these classes as they are less than informative and I feel like I haven’t learned anything in the 4 months I have been going. I’m going to say to the group leader at our class tomorrow, but just wanted to see what other people’s opinions and experiences of RCIA are.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

Ashley

Good for you for inviting people to your house. Relationships are a very important part of the RCIA journey - in an important way you are building up the local church by being in RCIA.

Is the book Evangelium?

If so, it’s a very good book. Nothing wrong with reading out of it and discussing. But your job with that, or any other book, is to read ahead, make some notes/write some questions in the margins and get involved when they ask for response to the passage.

I use the same book and the same method, and have some very good discussions - but when the candidates and catechumens just sit there and offer no response it’s a dead class.

So last week we discussed the Eucharistic using the Evangelium book. The chapter used scripture and Church documents to teach about the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the “weirdest” (to none Catholics) and most beautiful and profound (to Catholics) teaching of the church. There are a ton of questions a non-Catholic could have about the Eucharist. However the RCIA presenters can’t read each persons mind and speak for them. The cadndiates and catechumens have to speak up for themselves.

At the end of each chapter there are references to other books, or writings, and much of that info you can get on the internet. Check some of them out too.

 

[MichaelHowling]

Hey Ashley!

Welcome to you and your husband.

I’m a cradle catholic …but I sponsored my best friend who is now my wife through the RCIA program.

I’m sorry about your introduction to the faith. Unfortunatley, I have to admit that it is somewhat the norm at most parishes. Most lay catholics don’t know their faith and are not too enthusiastic about it because they are not really living it. Therefore, a lot of the lay leaders in these RCIA groups generally use books and boring videos and dittos as crutches (most mean well…they just don’t know the faith ).

When you truly come to know the faith, you will love it, grow on fire from it, and be willing to serve it and come into a deeper relationship with it.

I suggest to you to look for “extra credit” catholic stuff in your area such as : retreats, prayer meetings, bible studies, special catholic speakers coming into your area.

You know, one wonderful grace you’ve been given through all of this is that : there is obviously been given a hunger within you! That’s a beautiful thing! And a very special sign! God wants you here! And a husband and wife couple that want to get closer to God in this day and age…do you realize the advantages you will have !!!

You will need to go through these classes to become confirmed…so you need to stick them out. You can always look around though and see if another parish would accept you and your husband (do a little shopping and look for a strong parish in your area).

An awsome online bible study course :
www.salvationhistory.com

You are seeking God with a sincere heart…and you have this hunger. TRUST ME…that hunger is there on purpose and for a reason and God would not have given it to you without being willing to guide you.

Get involved with going to those extracurricular places like I’ve mentioned…getting involved will help you meet some powerful catholic individuls that will be able to you .

If you have any questions about church teaching or if you would like me to see if I know of anything in your area (if you would give me your city and state), I’d be more than happy to help.

Michael

 

[Jkita]

Hey!

First post as I just joined today and I’m looking for seem advice.

My fiancé and myself are currently attending RCIA classes. We have been going since September 27th 2012. I’m posting to ask what we should have learned at this stage, as as we seem to do is take turns reading out of a book and telling the group leader “what we got out of that” passage we read (when really we are all just trying to read the huge passages without messing up!) We have had a priest present three times, those three classes were by far better and more informative than the ones without him, and we have been made to sit in a freezing cramped room (and even a kitchen, sitting on stools with the gas cooker on for heat) on more than one occasion, it was so cold we eventually told everyone they could come to our home for the classes. We both looked forward to starting these classes, but so far we could have did it all in the comfort of our own home as all we are doing is reading a book. Is this the way we are meant to be at this stage? If I wasn’t determined to become a catholic I would have given up on these classes as they are less than informative and I feel like I haven’t learned anything in the 4 months I have been going. I’m going to say to the group leader at our class tomorrow, but just wanted to see what other people’s opinions and experiences of RCIA are.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

Ashley

I started my RCIA class September 5, 2012 and I have learned a great deal. My priest is teaching the class, we have a small parish and he has emphasized the definition of a sacrament and learning about the 7 sacraments. We were also given an outline and a book of “Catholic Update” pamphlets to read weekly. I would recommend “Catholicism for Dummies” this book is excellent. One of the deacons had to teach a class while our priest was away on a retreat and the deacon brought “Catholicism for Dummies” to class. Hang in there.

 

[SilverCamellia]

Hey!

First post as I just joined today and I’m looking for seem advice.

My fiancé and myself are currently attending RCIA classes. We have been going since September 27th 2012. I’m posting to ask what we should have learned at this stage, as as we seem to do is take turns reading out of a book and telling the group leader “what we got out of that” passage we read (when really we are all just trying to read the huge passages without messing up!) We have had a priest present three times, those three classes were by far better and more informative than the ones without him, and we have been made to sit in a freezing cramped room (and even a kitchen, sitting on stools with the gas cooker on for heat) on more than one occasion, it was so cold we eventually told everyone they could come to our home for the classes. We both looked forward to starting these classes, but so far we could have did it all in the comfort of our own home as all we are doing is reading a book. Is this the way we are meant to be at this stage? If I wasn’t determined to become a catholic I would have given up on these classes as they are less than informative and I feel like I haven’t learned anything in the 4 months I have been going. I’m going to say to the group leader at our class tomorrow, but just wanted to see what other people’s opinions and experiences of RCIA are.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

Ashley

Congrats on joining RCIA! (I am also in it)

Have you discussed with others in your group what they think?

I agree with what some others say about reading up in your own time (as well as after you are received into the Church). I also own Catholicism for Dummies and my RCIA group were told to buy the New Revised Standard Version Bible (not that particular one; that is just an example). I like reading posts on this website too and have found out a lot this way (bearing in mind that the website is US-centric).

You might find the Fisheaters website handy, as well as this and Catholic prayers and more.

If you like, I can write out what topics my RCIA group has covered so far.

 

[Kal2012]

My RCIA class is taught by the Religious Ed director. She’s a good teacher, but I get frustrated a lot because I already know a lot about Catholicism/the Bible. So, it’s hard not to tune out. Still, I have picked up a few things here and there, so it hasn’t been a complete waste of time. However, most of what I’ve been learning has been out of class.

We only have 5 people in our class and it’s mostly question/answer. We don’t have an outline for what we are going to talk about. We get the “Catholic Update” and other handouts. Some we read in class. Others we can read or not - it’s up to you.

Since all of us are non-Catholics married to Catholics and raising Catholic kids, she tells us not to worry about missing anything because we’ll pick up more as our kids go through their catechism classes. (Most of the kids range from infant to preschool!).

My impression is that my husband got more out his RCIA experience than I’m getting out of mine. He was really kind of shocked that we spent an entire class going over the script for the rite of acceptance/welcome ceremony. (Which turned out to be a very good thing, given there were duplicate pages and passages!) Still, I’m under the impression that last year was just a bad experience for everyone who did the ceremony, so they wanted to make sure that everyone knew what they were supposed to do this year.

However, I think that we end up in the class that best fits us for this period in our life. I like that it’s a small class and I know everyone’s stories. I think RCIA has been a good experience overall.

All I know is that I’m looking forward to March 30th because the date and time of Easter Vigil will not change. Like you said, if I didn’t want to be a Catholic, then I don’t think I’d be taking this class. I think a lot of people have that feeling.

 

[MichaelBrummond]

Hiya,
If you’re interested, I audio record all our RCIA sessions and put up notes. You can see what we do: thefishermansnet.net/category/the-catholic-faith/the-main-eventrcia/
Mike

 

[PJM]

=AshleyGraham;10247415]Hey!

First post as I just joined today and I’m looking for seem advice.

My fiancé and myself are currently attending RCIA classes. We have been going since September 27th 2012. I’m posting to ask what we should have learned at this stage, as as we seem to do is take turns reading out of a book and telling the group leader “what we got out of that” passage we read (when really we are all just trying to read the huge passages without messing up!) We have had a priest present three times, those three classes were by far better and more informative than the ones without him, and we have been made to sit in a freezing cramped room (and even a kitchen, sitting on stools with the gas cooker on for heat) on more than one occasion, it was so cold we eventually told everyone they could come to our home for the classes. We both looked forward to starting these classes, but so far we could have did it all in the comfort of our own home as all we are doing is reading a book. Is this the way we are meant to be at this stage? If I wasn’t determined to become a catholic I would have given up on these classes as they are less than informative and I feel like I haven’t learned anything in the 4 months I have been going. I’m going to say to the group leader at our class tomorrow, but just wanted to see what other people’s opinions and experiences of RCIA are.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

Ashley

OKeeDookie

So from your warm home, ask us what it is that concerns you and we’ll take it from there. The conditions are unheard of to my knowledge. Can’t you meet in the Rectory or the church itself? ASK Father.

God Bless,
pat/PJM

Be specific and try to limit it to no more than two topics at a time. S-P-A-C-E is limited by necessity.