RCIA Dismissals

[Livnlove55]

Deacon2006:

If it really troubles your conscience then consider another RCIA class in another parish or simply attend another mass on the weekend. It does you no spiritual benefit to mentally wrestle over a decision made by someone who has the authority to make the decision. Perfect opportunity to demonstrate docility and humilty. If still troubled read and meditate on Romans 13 especially when Paul talks of God plan to have people rule over us.

Well,*** that*** was an interesting reply, Deacon. Too bad it doesn’t really address the issue. I asked for an explanation and I don’t think being told “Just do it because they told you to do it” is an explanation.

Thanks anyway.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

mark1270:

Technically perhaps only the Catechumens and not the Candidates should be dismissed, but logistically this might be difficult.

Why would it be difficult? In my parish the group is dismissed from Mass for BOW and then the sponsors join us for the regular RCIA class after Mass is over. The candidates could easily join the catechumens at the same time.

My son and I pray for all RCIA candidates and catechumens every morning, so know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. It is a great journey you are on.

Thank you for your prayers!
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

Pug:

If you want to continue in your RCIA program but you really miss being there for a whole mass, I suggest you come to the early mass and stay for the whole thing, and then at the second mass (the most likely one for the RCIA thing) just get dismissed with the rest of them.

Actually, I have already “solved” the problem. At my parish we are dismissed from the first (of three) Sunday morning Masses. Since that is the 8 o’clock Mass, BOW begins approximately 8:30 and our regular class runs from 9:00 - 10:30. So what I do is now is simply show up at 8:30 in time for BOW, stay for the class and then attend the complete noon Mass. That way I can attend the entire RCIA program, including BOW and a complete Sunday Mass. And I don’t have to worry about being dismissed from a Mass I don’t even attend.

So it isn’t that I haven’t found a way to make it work. It’s just the principle of the thing, if you know what I mean… It literally pained me to be forced to leave the few times I actually did it. So much so that I could hardly concentrate during BOW since all I could think of was what I was missing.

The hardest part for me to understand is that we were allowed to, actually expected to, go to the complete 8 o’clock Mass during the entire Inquiry phase. And then once we make the decision that this is something we really want to do and get serious about doing suddenly we are not allowed to attend the very same Mass.

Given what you have said, I definitely recommend you try going to Eucharistic Adoration. I bet you’ll love it

You are right. Been there, done that, do love it.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

John Russell Jr:

Thought you might like this. From- Christ is passing by. St Josemaria Escriva.

Thanks, John. That was beautiful!
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

jimmy:

I personally think that they should have them stay at mass until the end. The mass is the greatest form of prayer we have. The whole thing is scriptural and is a great way to learn about the faith.

I agree, Jimmy!

Furthermore, what better way is there to draw near to Christ than even a moment spent kneeling in His Presence? Every church has Bible studies but the Real Presence is something I never had anywhere else. In fact, it is the #1 reason I want to become Catholic.

I agree with John, ask one of the apologists.

Well, I have received quite a good response here and since the moderators haven’t seen fit to move the thread I guess it can stay here.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

asquared:

the dismissal is only for catechumens, and it is for the purpose of breaking open the word. the baptized should not be dismissed, but can rejoin the class after Mass for the doctrinal portion of the lesson.

I bought and read a copy of the actual RCIA book after posting my original post and in each case where dismissals are mentioned in the rubics, only the catechumens are dismissed. I still wish all of us could stay but at least now I know that dismissing the catechumens *is *part of the “official” rite. None of the candidates in my group were even offered the choice of staying, though…
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

Br. Rich SFO:

Any Baptized person has a right to remain for the entire Mass if that is what they want to do. I do agree however that a well run BOW is helpful to both Catechumens and Candidates.

Thanks, Brother. That’s how I thought it should be. I, too, agree that the BOW sessions are helpful. The question is whether or not they are more helpful than assisting at the Liturgy of the Eucharist would be. As I already mentioned, every church has Bible studies and none of us needed to join the Church to study the Bible. But not every church can offer us the opportunity to witness a miracle!
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

Lisa N:

Thanks to all who responded. Even though I didn’t ask the question I still had an interest in what to do about the dilemna of wanting both the entire mass and the dismissal time.

It’s too bad those like us even have to deal with that dilemna, Lisa. I must admit that it doesn’t even seem to be a problem for all the others in my group. As far as I know none except me attend another Mass or mind the dismissal at all. Could it be that they don’t really understand what they are missing yet?
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

George2:

I think it makes sense as a rule really. You are not communicants. Just watching it is not the point. It is participatory in nature, not something to be viewed. This is why we all make the same responses, reflecting on their meaning too.

George, I can assure you that I am ***very ***actively participating in the liturgy. I already have the entire Mass memorized and know exactly what to say and do and when to say and do it. And every word and every action is deeply meaningful to me. Even during Holy Communion, I am not simply watching. I am kneeling and praying the “Act of Spiritual Communion.” (And I am doing that at the direct suggestion of my pastor.)

That is so great that you thought it out and researched which Church has the only truth claim - the fullness of the truth.

Many go through life never bothering to compare. To me it would be like not checking the real estate listings and mortgage rates - always living in the same place, never trying to improve.

Welcome Home.

Thanks! It’s great to be home! Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think this is where my journey would lead but God quite obviously had other plans.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

quote=jmm08
[/quote]

Although at first I thought I should be excused from having to attend RCIA, I am glad for the delay and glad to be in the class. And I am glad that I didn’t rush in to be in “full communion”. I would have been in error.
Well, my pastor told me a long time ago that I didn’t have to go through the entire RCIA program if I didn’t want to. I have been studying Catholicism in depth for almost eighteen months and the truth is I seldom actually*** learn*** anything in the classes. At first it really frustrated me to feel like a high school student stuck in with elementary students but all that changed after our first all-day retreat. It was during that retreat that I first began to “bond” with the others in my group and realized how much I was beginning to love them. It was also during that retreat that God let me know in no uncertain terms that He wanted me to walk the “long” road with them and not try to “fast track” my way into the Church. So off to the classes I go each week and each week I focus on what I can put into them, not what I can get out of them. And each week God turns it into a good thing. Isn’t He amazing?

We also have the “early dismissals”. It really isn’t a big deal so I don’t think you should over-react. Because:
(a) At my RC Church, it is only done for a few weeks and only during the 10:30 am Sunday masses. I can additionally attend an earlier or later mass (and not be dismissed) if I thought I should.
(b) I usually attend at least one weekday mass anyway. And there will be no early dismissals during weekday masses

It isn’t just for a few weeks at my parish. They began doing it right after the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming and they will be doing it all the way through the Easter Vigil. What I don’t understand is why it is done at all if there isn’t a “rule” against us attending the Liturgy of the Eucharist at all. What is the point if we can just attend another Mass?

Here’s something else that doesn’t make sense. There are two people in my group who are married to Catholics and who have been attending Mass with their families at our parish for*** years***. They raised their children as Catholics and have finally made the decision to become Catholic themselves. So what we have here are two non-Catholics who could easily attend Mass all they wanted as long as they weren’t interested in becoming Catholic. But the minute they decide they actually want to be Catholic suddenly they are told they must leave Mass early.
Still trying to understand,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

Lots of people seem to be asking this question! Actually that’s a great sign.

Sigh. Is it? Or is it a sign that it is not being explained very well in the RCIA groups we are attending?

You mention that, “it’s not like we’re hiding a secret handshake, or anything.”’ In some ways, actually, we are. Well, not hiding it exactly, but keeping it intimately private, like the act of love between a husband and wife; no one outside the marriage may witness it.

As I already wrote, this really isn’t true. Anyone can attend Mass, anyone at all, even if they are not allowed to share in Holy Communion. No one asks for a Catholic “membership card” at the door. We are only told we must leave once we decide we want to join.

Those in RCIA are simply not yet members of the Church, and may not yet partake in the immense privilege of the Eucharist. Asking them to leave might seem harsh, or at least strange, by modern standards, but it reinforces both to them and to the Church what an incredible gift and mystery is about to occur. When I was coming into the Church, I was aware of the practice of asking catechumenates to leave, but our parish did not do it. In a strange way, I was sorry. When understood, it can be a powerful teaching instrument for all

Sadly, this is not how it was explained to me at all. The only explanation I received was that I had to leave with the group so I could “bond” with the group. I had to do my own independent research to learn the true roots of the practice. With the way it was explained to me originally, it would seem to place more importance on our Bible study and “bonding” then on appreciating what we were missing.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

puzzleannie:

the baptized are members of the Church, though imperfectly in communion with her, and should never be asked to leave the assembly. they may join the catechumens for breaking open the word, but cannot be required to leave.

Thanks, Annie. I believe this is the way it is and the way it should be.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

maendem:

You’re right, although most RCIA candidates in the parishes I’ve attended have not been baptized. Perhaps that’s not the case elsewhere or in general. .

My group is about half baptized and half unbaptized. I have no idea what the usual ratio is.
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

mark1270:

However, there is another reason that the RCIA team will ask both the cathecumens and candidates to go to BOW, that is simply to take roll. The RCIA team wants to ensure candidate for confirmation and/or First Communion attend mass.

I was*** begging*** them to let me stay in Mass. They didn’t need to see me in BOW to know that I would go. I would guess that anyone who has to be forced to attend Mass isn’t ready to become a Catholic anyway…
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

Pug:

They seem to bond a lot better at BOW than they do in the regular class, which is mostly a lecture. BOW is more like a discussion. I think one of the purposes of RCIA is to make a community or rather glue them into the parish community or something.

Every week is different in my group. Sometimes the bonding and discussion takes place during BOW and sometimes BOW is the lecture. And sometimes the bonding and discussion happens during the regular class and sometimes the regular class is a lecture. We have six different catechists who rotate giving the classes and doing BOW and each of them has a different style.

I agree that one of the purposes of RCIA is to form community. But just how that is supposed to be done by taking us OUT of the community is a bit beyond me…
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[Livnlove55]

KittyKat:

Wow,
That is something that had been bothering me as I figure this out. I was really confused. I saw how many people leave before the end anyway, because they have something better to do, or that leave right after Communion so that they do not have to wait for the end.

I figured that whenever I decide to start this process I can leave and know that at least I am not doing it as a form of escape.

That’s one way of looking at it. Just so you know, it is not correct for them to leave Mass immediately after Communion. No one should leave Mass until after the dismissal and after the priest has finished processing out. I also read somewhere once about some priest who was outraged at those who left early since he said they were basically “walking tabernacles” since they had just received the Host and the Precious Blood. It is really not the right thing to do…
In His love,
Rhonda

 

[maendem]

Livnlove55:

Sigh. Is it? Or is it a sign that it is not being explained very well in the RCIA groups we are attending?

Sadly, this is not how it was explained to me at all. The only explanation I received was that I had to leave with the group so I could “bond” with the group. I had to do my own independent research to learn the true roots of the practice. With the way it was explained to me originally, it would seem to place more importance on our Bible study and “bonding” then on appreciating what we were missing.
In His love,
Rhonda

I’m sorry it was explained in terms of “bonding” -I find that a little sad. The true bond being created is with Christ and the Church, and that should be the emphasis. I’ve been reading some of the other posts and can see the “point” of catechumens staying throughout the Mass rather than leaving.

At any rate, a big welcome to you and the other candidates posting.

 

[catsrus]

I spent 2 and 1/2 years in the RCIA as a candidate and always considered the dismissal and the BOW as joyful. After the Priest and congregation prayed over us, off we went to learn so much that we would never have learned had we not had the wonderful opportunity of further discussion and instruction. As has been stated here, a hunger for the Eucharist grew.
I don’t see the problem with wanting to stay for the entire Mass and being dismissed. I too wanted the entire Mass so I would go to the Saturday 5p.m. Mass to stay for the entirety and then again at the Sunday 7p.m., from which we were dismissed for BOW. That way, I had the best of both worlds!
Actually, I miss RCIA. I’d love a “Sunday school” type group to go back to all the discussion and learning.

 

[jmm08]

Tonight in RCIA they discussed sacraments. And the dismissals were touched upon. So I learned some more about dismissals.

To summarize what I learned tonight:

Remember that we live our lives not only for ourselves. The dismissals are not only for our benefit in learning more about tradition. We in RCIA are also a sign to the Roman Catholics who weren’t dismissed. And they should remember and be reminded about their own baptisms, confirmations, etc. And perhaps somebody there will pray for us, and in praying they will also remember and refresh the grace that Christ gave to them.

So I am encouraged that this will be a special time and perhaps we in RCIA will help refresh the grace of Christ in some other Catholics.

 

[amasimp]

Is this a new thing? I went through RCIA in 98-99 having not been baptized and I was never booted from Mass after the Liturgy of the Word. Wierd…