RCIA Interview?

[SeekerCV]

My wife and I will begin RCIA very soon. In 3 days, we have an interview with the Sister who coordinates the RCIA program at the Parish we will be attending. She advised us that before beginning any classes, she will need to interview my wife and me; first individually, then as a couple. Does anyone have any idea what types of questions are normally asked at this interview? I have a co-corker who went through RCIA last year, and he said we went through no such interview at his Parish. Just curious…

God bless you all.

Chris

 

[buzzcut]

I did have a private interview before I started RCIA. It was just that the teacher wanted to get to know me, ask about my background, see where I was at, and so on. It’s not like a job interview if that’s what you’re worried about!

 

[IanS]

What? You mean you haven’t completed your spiritual resume with references yet?

When my wife and I came to the Church we talked to a sister beforehand. If I remember right it was pretty laid-back and harmless. She mostly wanted to know about our background (have we been baptized, or attended other churches). She also asked several questions about our marital status. She wanted to know if either of us had been divorced, if we were married by a minister, or a JP, and so on.

I don’t think it had anything to do with being “qualified” so much as helping the RCIA team know what type of formation we would need as far as sacraments, if an annulment of a prior marriage was needed, or if a blessing of our marriage would be required. She also welcomed us to come to Sunday Mass each week to get used to what it was all about, and to think of questions before we stated RCIA. We were welcomed to participate in anything we wanted besides receiving the Holy Eucharist.

God bless you both on your journey home!

 

[SeekerCV]

buzzcut:

It’s not like a job interview if that’s what you’re worried about!

Actually, that sort of IS what I was worried about, but not until my wife started stressing about it and put this question in my head!

chris

 

[SeekerCV]

IanS:

What? You mean you haven’t completed your spiritual resume with references yet?

Whoa…you had me panicking there for about a half-second!

IanS:

When my wife and I came to the Church we talked to a sister beforehand. If I remember right it was pretty laid-back and harmless. She mostly wanted to know about our background (have we been baptized, or attended other churches). She also asked several questions about our marital status. She wanted to know if either of us had been divorced, if we were married by a minister, or a JP, and so on.

I don’t think it had anything to do with being “qualified” so much as helping the RCIA team know what type of formation we would need as far as sacraments, if an annulment of a prior marriage was needed, or if a blessing of our marriage would be required. She also welcomed us to come to Sunday Mass each week to get used to what it was all about, and to think of questions before we stated RCIA. We were welcomed to participate in anything we wanted besides receiving the Holy Eucharist.

That’s what I thought it might be like. Thanks so much for clearing that up!

IanS:

God bless you both on your journey home!

THANK YOU!!! That’s exactly what it feels like…coming home. After years of jumping from one Protestant denomination to the next, I can’t describe the joy I feel to have finally found my (our) way back to the Church I was baptized in.

chris

 

[mgy100]

Sister probably just wants to see where you’re at. If she knows how much you know she probably won’t have to spend as much time on it and not waste time on material you understand… ultimately benefitting you by getting you ready and having some flex time to spend on things that might take a little more time to grasp!
That is my take.

 

[tjmiller]

When I had the same interview many moons ago, the deacon asked me, “Is there anything about the Catholic Church that you’ve discovered you don’t like?”

Based upon his own RCIA teachings, I answered: “Well, it has come as something of a disappointment to see that heresy is alive and well in the Church today”…

He replied, “Of course we are using American Catholic materials.”

I hope that you and your wife are faring far better!

 

[mercygate]

I think they were scared of me. I spent an hour with the pastor (after my interview with the RCIA director). His concern was that my decision had been a “head thing” and he wanted to see if it was also a “heart thing.”

It was a great interview. I had been stressing big time over when to make my life confession, fearing that they would try to roadblock me until Easter, although I wanted to do it in February.

During our meeting, I asked when I would be eligible to receive the Sacraments. When he said “Easter Vigil,” I slid my glasses down my nose, looked him in the eye over the top rim, and said: “I wasn’t referring to **those **Sacraments.”

He responded: “Oh! Any time you’re ready!”

Made my year!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

SeekerCV:

My wife and I will begin RCIA very soon. In 3 days, we have an interview with the Sister who coordinates the RCIA program at the Parish we will be attending. She advised us that before beginning any classes, she will need to interview my wife and me; first individually, then as a couple. Does anyone have any idea what types of questions are normally asked at this interview? I have a co-corker who went through RCIA last year, and he said we went through no such interview at his Parish. Just curious…

God bless you all.

Chris

There actually should be several interviews that take place during the RCIA process. One at the start to find out how you got there, what you know about the Catholic faith and your background, Baptism, religious experience,etc.

There should be another just before the Rite of Welcome or Acceptance, another just before the Rite of Sending / Election.