RCIA Guidelines

[bossmare]

What are/should be the basic teaching guidelines for RCIA classes?
I am currently in RCIA and godwilling, will be baptized easter 2006. I dont mean to question the faith at all, I’m just questioning the methods of teaching actually.
What should be taught in a good RCIA class? How often should the bible/catechism be read from?
Any insight would be most appreciated,thanks!

 

[tkdnick]

bossmare:

What are/should be the basic teaching guidelines for RCIA classes?
I am currently in RCIA and godwilling, will be baptized easter 2006. I dont mean to question the faith at all, I’m just questioning the methods of teaching actually.
What should be taught in a good RCIA class? How often should the bible/catechism be read from?
Any insight would be most appreciated,thanks!

Personally, you should be reading the Bible and Catechism often, whether as a part of class or on your own. There is a book called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults that is currently the guidelines to be followed as far as I know. However, each diocese is free to create its own guidelines or not. The Sacramento diocese will be coming out with set guidelines in October of this year.

 

[mercygate]

bossmare:

What are/should be the basic teaching guidelines for RCIA classes?
I am currently in RCIA and godwilling, will be baptized easter 2006. I dont mean to question the faith at all, I’m just questioning the methods of teaching actually.
What should be taught in a good RCIA class? How often should the bible/catechism be read from?
Any insight would be most appreciated,thanks!

I think a lot of confusion arises because RCIA is really intended for non-Christians coming into the Church. But many, if not most, parishes put already-baptized Christians in the mix. Non-Christians need to learn the Gospel. So the basic RCIA program is based on the lectionary. This, clearly, is not a good fit for otherwise catechized Christians coming into the Church who need a more doctrine-and-practice-based teaching plan.

My parish (thank you, Jesus!) did not put us cocky know-it-all Christians in the same group with the others. I read the Catechism privately cover-to-cover; a priest was available to answer questions as they arose. Towards the end of the process, for Lent, my sponsor and I attended small group meetings with the two other Candidates and their sponsors. :yawn: For me, it was practice in patience and obedience. But my sponsor LOVED it! She said she never learned so much about the faith in her entire life – and she went to Catholic schools in Ireland.

 

[puzzleannie]

RCIA preparation classes have two parts. The first, for the unbaptized, is Breaking Open the Word. The catechumens are dismissed from Mass after the readings and homily, and go with their catechists and sponsors to another room, where they spend more time exploring the meaning of the readings, and hopefully applying them to daily life and showing how the content of the scripture readings leads to the formal doctrines of the Church.

The second part can be on the same day, or another session during the week, and is catechisis on Church doctrine and practice. It should be based on the structure of the Catechism, focusing on its 4 pillars: the Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Moral Life in Christ and Christian Prayer. If you have not already been given a bible and a catechism, find out if they are going to be made available to you. If not, purchase your own. In any case, the material presented in class is supposed to be the foundation and jumping off point for your own self-study and spiritual reading. You cannot hope to get it all in a weekly class.
For practical purposes, both candidates (baptized adults needing confirmation and/or 1st communion) and catechumens (the unbaptized) may take the same classes, since they essentially are learning the same things. The actual Rites they celebrate will be different so as not to deny the special status of the baptized.

Ask lots of questions, and politely ask to be directed to where in scripture and the catechism you can go to read more about the topic.

 

[TomK]

I think I have a sense of what you are going through. I actually did RCIA concurrently in two parishes: one conservative and the other very liberal.

Shuttling between the two would give one whiplash! I think an important thing to remember is that we all see God in OUR own image. Our experiences, viewpoints, etc., all influence how we approach the Divine.

I do not know how one could teach RCIA and not have any personal bias come through, because the director is sharing their experience of God as they invite the Cathecumens or Candidates into full fellowship.

I agree, read the Cathecism and Bible and take personal responsibility for your spiritual development, after all it will be the gift you bring back to God from Earth.