RCIA Dismissals -- Best Practices

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m going to be meeting with my RCIA team this week to talk about dismissals and breaking open the word.

What do you do during your dismissal sessions? What have you heard of others doing that struck you as a good idea? How do you prepare for the dismissals? How much of your sessions would you classify as instruction vs. faith sharing vs. anything else you include? What has worked well for you? What have you tried that didn’t work as well?

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Joannm]

We truly break open the Word. We begin by re-reading the readings and then we ask if there is anything that they did not understand and that leads into a discussion, not necessarily a teaching. Then we have a few questions based on the readings in relation to their own life and their relationship with God and with others. We also discuss points in the homily. We sometime use the Scripture commentaries in America as a jumping off point. That has questions as well.

Our catechetical session follows Mass when the candidates and sponsors join us. Most of our catechtical sessions are lectionary based in that we try to relate the session topic to the themes in the readings. It doesn’t always work however.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m going to be meeting with my RCIA team this week to talk about dismissals and breaking open the word.

What do you do during your dismissal sessions? What have you heard of others doing that struck you as a good idea? How do you prepare for the dismissals? How much of your sessions would you classify as instruction vs. faith sharing vs. anything else you include? What has worked well for you? What have you tried that didn’t work as well?

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

First remember that Dismissal begins after Inquiry after the Rite of Welcome for the Baptized and the Rite of Acceptance for the un-baptized and only Catechumens are then dismissed, not Candidates.

They are sent out with a blessing from the Rite after the Homily. The session is intentionally allowed to run until about 10 or 15 minutes after Mass ends so that their Sponsors may join than for a few minutes at the end. Their Sponsor may also join them for the BOW session as long as the Sponsor understands that they will need to attend another Mass to fulfill the Sunday obligaton, and some have done this. Remember that this also applies to the team member(s) leading or participating in it. Teams are also better than one person leading it and make sure it is someone different at least every couple of weeks.

Re-reading the Word with the Psalm and asking for their comments can bring out some good insights as well as some misunderstandings. A Good Catholic commentary on the readings should be studied before by the person leading it. I have also used commentary by the Fathers on various readings. There is tons of writings by the Fathers on the Scriptures.

This helps explain that the Church has been interpreting this in the same way for as lomg as 1800+ years. also don’t fail to bring in Catechism references on the Scripture readings. The cross-reference can be found in the back of the hardback Catechism. this tries the Scriptures to what the Church teaches. Not too deep however because the Catechetical session is held on a week night.

Always remember to open and close with a short prayer.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thanks Joann and Br. Rich.

For the most part it sounds like we’re doing the same things you are. Reading the Scripture and first of all making sure people understand what’s going on, explaining as needed. Then moving into a question of what does this mean for me right now?

I hadn’t thought about inviting sponsors to join us but that’s an idea. I’m sure they’d have something to add to the sessions.

I didn’t know that America had Scripture commentaries since I don’t normally read it. I’ll check into that. We use questions printed in our bulletin (I don’t know where they come from) as a jumping off point.

If you have any other ideas I’m all ears (or eyes, as the case may be).

 

[bstcy]

Not to get off topic…

Those of us who are baptized Christians do not have to take part in the Dismissals do we? If not, what is the proper thing for a baptized Christian becoming Catholic to do while the Eucharist is taking place?

I’m not sure what will happen YET, but I’m excited.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Not to get off topic…

Those of us who are baptized Christians do not have to take part in the Dismissals do we? If not, what is the proper thing for a baptized Christian becoming Catholic to do while the Eucharist is taking place?

I’m not sure what will happen YET, but I’m excited.

There isn’t a clear yes or no to your question.

Technically no, those who are baptized do not take part in dismissals. However, some parishes have everyone – both baptized and not – take part in the dismissals. I personally would go along with whatever they do.

In asking what to do “while the Eucharist is taking place” do you mean what should you do when other people are going forward for communion? Again there’s not a clear answer. My general recommendation would be to stay in your pew and pray. However, if your parish encourages people to come forward for a blessing then you could get in line with everyone else. Go to the priest with your arms crossed in front of you and he will bless you.

 

[bstc]

There isn’t a clear yes or no to your question.

Technically no, those who are baptized do not take part in dismissals. However, some parishes have everyone – both baptized and not – take part in the dismissals. I personally would go along with whatever they do.

In asking what to do “while the Eucharist is taking place” do you mean what should you do when other people are going forward for communion? Again there’s not a clear answer. My general recommendation would be to stay in your pew and pray. However, if your parish encourages people to come forward for a blessing then you could get in line with everyone else. Go to the priest with your arms crossed in front of you and he will bless you.

I was basically wondering the same question and thinking the same answers…

At the old parish I used to attend with friends, I sat in the pew.

I’m also a Catholic Inquirer and will have to ask the present parish that I will be attending what their custom is. I’m really excited about becoming Catholic to the point where it’s driving me nuts in anticipation to fully partake in the Holy Eucharistic Body and Blood of Christ.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m also a Catholic Inquirer and will have to ask the present parish that I will be attending what their custom is. I’m really excited about becoming Catholic to the point where it’s driving me nuts in anticipation to fully partake in the Holy Eucharistic Body and Blood of Christ.

Many blessings to both you and BSTCY as you move forward in your faith journeys. Being involved in RCIA is very fulfilling to me because of the enthusiasm of people like you.

 

[puzzleannie]

we don’t do dismissal at all because children and teens have their class during the week, and we want them to be attending Mass with their families and/or sponsors, and we seldom have more than one or two adults in any one class preparing for baptism. the adult class gathers after the English Mass on Sunday, and we begin with BOTW for about 20 minutes, break for coffee, then have the doctrinal lesson for an hour, discussion the last 10-15 minutes.

for BOTW we proclaim the gospel again, give everyone a change to state in a sentence or two their reaction, then read an on-line or published commentary on the Gospel, give everyone another chance for comment or faith sharing, ask anyone to volunteer a short prayer that has arisen from this discussion, or read a prayer from the published resource, then break.

the doctrinal portion follows a set curriculum, not a lectionary based model.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Not to get off topic…

Those of us who are baptized Christians do not have to take part in the Dismissals do we? If not, what is the proper thing for a baptized Christian becoming Catholic to do while the Eucharist is taking place?

I’m not sure what will happen YET, but I’m excited.

Make a Spiritual Communion and pray.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

There isn’t a clear yes or no to your question.

Technically no, those who are baptized do not take part in dismissals. However, some parishes have everyone – both baptized and not – take part in the dismissals. I personally would go along with whatever they do.

In asking what to do “while the Eucharist is taking place” do you mean what should you do when other people are going forward for communion? Again there’s not a clear answer. My general recommendation would be to stay in your pew and pray. However, if your parish encourages people to come forward for a blessing then you could get in line with everyone else. Go to the priest with your arms crossed in front of you and he will bless you.

Personally I do not recomend doing the wrong thing just because everyone else is doing it. If your Baptized stay in your pew and get to know the Mass, make a Spiritual Communion at Communion time.