RCIA is a joke!

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Well, I went through RCIA several years ago. At 73 years of age I had been active in my churches (evangelical) since I was a teenager. I had tought Sunday School classes, been a deacon in several of the churches I belonged to and am very knowledgeable of the Bible. Ohh of course I was baptized also in the proper manner. Yet the pastor reccomended RCIA for me so I could be aquainted with some of the church members during classes. A lot of what I heard I already knew. In fact one member said that I could probably teach the course. I had been reading everythibng Catholic I could get my hands on for tgwo yrs before starting RCIA. So sometimes it was boring . Sometimes frustrating but over all I am glad for the experience. The only thing that really bothered me was having to wait so long before I could recieve Holy Communion!! I desired the day I could recieve the Lord in the euchasrist. Other than that I loved the experience of being with others that were coming into the church.Today I love hearing of conversion stories. I have volunteered to help in RCIA any way I could. So for those looking to join an RCIA class do not hesitate. It will be a wonderful journey!!
 
Aydan said:
I’m sorry for trying to help in no need to be rude it is statements like this that caused me to leave the Latin rite. I’m out of here.
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What?!:confused:

How was the poster rude to you?🤷

oneseeker2
 
LilyM said:
Fat Boy - remember Jesus had to defend Himself against Peter AND Judas, both of whom argued with and even betrayed Him in different ways. And Paul had to rebuke Peter as well.

RCIA is taught by human beings, who are not just fallible but downright sinful at times, as St Peter was - or worse. If you find yourself having to explain things to them, just put yourself in the Lord’s shoes - NOBODY was really catching His drift until after the Ressurection, and even then He needed to stay with 'em and keep teaching 'em until they finally got it!
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Lily, thank you for pointing this out! I too am looking at my upcoming RCIA with some trepidation, knowing that at least one of the instructors, a coworker of mine, has her own issues with the Church’s teaching authority. But Truth, and the Church, have survived all along in spite of the best efforts of its friends :doh2:
 
FatBoy,
Unfortunately, less than perfect teaching finds it way or springs up in the Church community sometimes. Pelagius of the 5th century, ideas in the Middle Ages that visibly seeing the Eucharist Host could ward off death and sickness, Jansenism, abuse of indulgences, etc. I think it’s great that you have zeal for wanting good teachings in RCIA. When I can get critical, I try to keep in mind that throughout history, I think there seems to be a fine line between the saints which God sent to purify His church and those who became dissensionists. I try to be patient, kind, say the Serenity Prayer, and remember that I myself may not always word everything perfectly or may misinterpret a teaching. I pray for wisdom on when I should talk, when I should be silent, and how I should bring something up.
 
I’m sorry for what you have been through. I just finished the RCIA process after 2 years and loved all of it. I was never told anything but what the Catholic beliefs are. Please don’t discourage others from going through the RCIA process because of your situation.
 
You are absolutely right! RCIA is a joke. We also attended one where we were told that we didn’t have to accept many of the Church Teachings (ie, birth control, abortion, etc…) However the advice that you need to “join” the team and try to “fix” them is in fact futile. The problem goes all the way up the ladder to the Pope. There is no longer any unity of bishops, priests, etc. We went to “catholic” churches where one priest told the parish that their is no such thing as purgatory, the decision to use birth control is between a married couple and God…that was one church. The latest church (the head of that RCIA) program informed me that the Catholic church does not believe that the “belief” in the divinity of Christ is necessary. Anyway, “we” laypeople can’t fix the problem when the priests and bishops themselves do not adhere to the teachings of the church nor do bishops impose them on the priests in their own diocese. And I am speaking all of this from personal experience and by trying to consult and talk to the ones who SHOULD take care of the problem and don’t. Prior to the presidential election there was a priest here who championed on his bumper an OBAMA sticker—no one (higher-up) seemed to be bothered by the complaints, because he still has it.
So you are right. The RCIA can’t work when all the different bishops believe different things and don’t enforce any kind of uniform curriculum. I found the whole process to be in fact very protestant…"Oh, if you don’t like that “Catholic Church” then try this one; they are less liberal, more orthodox. What makes us different that having protestant sects? It’s not right; pray for the Catholic Church. We have become a watered-down version with no power.
 
A fascinating range of responses - - as an RCIA Team member (and Godparent to an adult catechumen) I found the RCIA procress both valuable and somewhat frustrating. If you are unhappy with a parish RCIA program I’d like to suggest the you first of all ASK the RCIA coordinator (likely to be a Deacon or well-grounded older Catholic) what is going on, second, I suggest that you invest a few $$ and purchase a copy of the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; Study Edition” available from many Catholic bookstores or directly from the National Council of Catholic Bishops Website.

As in most arguments, there is more than one side to the issue; working with both Candidates (baptized non-Catholic Christians) and Candidates (unbaptized inquirers) presents the predictable problems of boring a few while confusing others . . .that’s why every RCIA attender should have a Sponsor (the gift of the Parish!) to help them understand the specifics.

Does that mean that the Sponsor has a lot of responsibility? It sure does - and he or she must be continually calling on the Holy Spirit to direct and inspire the answers they need.

But you surely see that that this work of Evangelization is the highest vocation of every Catholic. This is what Jesus calls each of us to do; it is the most profound expression of “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Bill / St. Jude Parish, Chattanooga, Tenn.
 
LianneRenee said:
You are absolutely right! RCIA is a joke. We also attended one where we were told that we didn’t have to accept many of the Church Teachings (ie, birth control, abortion, etc…) However the advice that you need to “join” the team and try to “fix” them is in fact futile. The problem goes all the way up the ladder to the Pope. There is no longer any unity of bishops, priests, etc. We went to “catholic” churches where one priest told the parish that their is no such thing as purgatory, the decision to use birth control is between a married couple and God…that was one church. The latest church (the head of that RCIA) program informed me that the Catholic church does not believe that the “belief” in the divinity of Christ is necessary. Anyway, “we” laypeople can’t fix the problem when the priests and bishops themselves do not adhere to the teachings of the church nor do bishops impose them on the priests in their own diocese. And I am speaking all of this from personal experience and by trying to consult and talk to the ones who SHOULD take care of the problem and don’t. Prior to the presidential election there was a priest here who championed on his bumper an OBAMA sticker—no one (higher-up) seemed to be bothered by the complaints, because he still has it.
So you are right. The RCIA can’t work when all the different bishops believe different things and don’t enforce any kind of uniform curriculum. I found the whole process to be in fact very protestant…"Oh, if you don’t like that “Catholic Church” then try this one; they are less liberal, more orthodox. What makes us different that having protestant sects? It’s not right; pray for the Catholic Church. We have become a watered-down version with no power.
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LianneRenee - my recommendation regarding the teachings of the priest is to speak with the priest first and address the issue of birth control and what our Catholic beliefs are. He is speaking contrary to our faith and should be asked about this. If he maintains his position, then you should contact the diocese and discuss this with the bishop. The whole issue with the bumper sticker is also contrary to the USCCB. Clergy, including the bishops, are not to support a candidate or a specific party, but are to address the social and moral issues and how the candidates stand with respect to these.

I certainly sensed a great deal of frustration in your email as well as the original post by FatBoy. Peace.

Mt 4:19
 
Belloc_Fan said:
What diocese? And have you spoken with the parish priest and/or the bishop? It’s one thing to feel bad for those left behind, so to speak, but another to do something about it. I’m not sure if you can, but hopefully, you can create a positive response.
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Wow! I’m glad I didn’t get that experience. I learned so much from my RCIA class. That’s because I asked all the questions. At least you’re in full communion. God bless!
 
I am going to be starting RCIA soon and was wondering if anyone could give me a preview of what all I will be learning. I have been waiting since January for the next class and since I went to a spiritual womans retreat with the church in May have gotten even more excited about it. Will it teach me everything I need to know about being a Catholic? I have learned some things in different Bible study groups such as praying the Rosary but know I have so much more to learn.
Feel free to pm or email me anything about it.

Have a blessed day,

Amanda
 
From what I am reading I don’t believe that the RCIA is under any strict guidelines about what is taught. However, from my recent experience with the RCIA class I actually went through we learned the Rosary, what takes place at Mass and what the rituals and symbols meant. We broke apart the Apostle’s and Nicene Creed and examined what the Catholic belief system is. We also discussed why the priests wear certain color stoals. We learned alot of what other Christian faiths think of Catholics(ie Saint worship, etc.) and discussed the truths about these.

Near the end of the class we attended a retreat where the Candidates had their first Confession and the rest of us Elects/Cathecumens took part in the Stations of the Cross. We also were involved in an Adoration which was really neat.

Our sponsors, the priests, the RCIA leader(thanks Ruth Fahrenkrug), the deacons and even the other students were awesome and helped as much as they could. All the information was consistent. At the very end the priests discussed how we can be keep being good Christians and showed us organizations that are part of the Catholic Church, the Parish, etc. that would allow us to practice Charity and other virtues.

Like I said, these were my experiences in Hampton, Virginia St. Joseph’s Parish(shameless plug for Father Sousa, Father Carboy, Jose, Mike, Ruth and Joe) which may be totally different than what is taught at yours but I imagine at least some is the same.
 
I am so sad for you that you had a rotten experience. I am a returning Catholic and went through our parish RICA with Christians and those coming in for the first time. It was the most rewarding and uplifting experience of my life.
Perhaps you can help the program by getting involved. Before you do, make a list of the positives - if any and another list of the negatives and how they could be improved. Take your list to the Pastor and team and work to improve.
This could be YOUR calling after chew a mint and get rid of the bad taste.
I wish you luck and remember how much God love you and the Holy Spirit may be trying to motivate you.

God Bless You and Smile ⭕) God is watching and listening.
JoAnn
 
Let’s see, what’s a good analogy? How about sports? So, professional baseball has 28 teams, or thereabouts, in both leagues. All the teams play baseball, but some better than others. Being stuck in a bad RCIA program is like playing for the last place team, no real direction and certainly no “fun” as far as learning is concerned. I was fortunate to have been placed on a very good “team.” Our RCIA leader came within a fraction of an inch of becoming a priest. He was extremely knowledge and his teaching style was very palatable, not in-your-face like some are known to be. Anyway, my RCIA experience was probably the best thing that ever happened to me—too much to explain here without getting all worked up about it. That was four years ago and now, as I am about to celebrate my 65th birthday, I thank God incessantly for leading me “home.”
 
I respectfully disagree with your analogy. The Catholic Church is supposed to be unified in what it teaches. It would not be that difficult for one of those 1000 different committees in Rome to create an acceptable RCIA program that all bishops/priests would be told to use for the purpose of RCIA…If this were implemented properly, we wouldn’t be having this discussion—one person saying what a great experience they had and then another saying they had a horrible experience. I would also like to make clear that I am not speaking about how “creative” one church may be versus another—I am speaking solely about teachnig what in fact the Catholic Church teaches and believes.
 
LianneRenee said:
I respectfully disagree with your analogy. The Catholic Church is supposed to be unified in what it teaches. It would not be that difficult for one of those 1000 different committees in Rome to create an acceptable RCIA program that all bishops/priests would be told to use for the purpose of RCIA…If this were implemented properly, we wouldn’t be having this discussion—one person saying what a great experience they had and then another saying they had a horrible experience. I would also like to make clear that I am not speaking about how “creative” one church may be versus another—I am speaking solely about teachnig what in fact the Catholic Church teaches and believes.
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I hear what you’re saying. As Catholics we talk about Protestants “church shopping” and yet we read all these examples of Catholics being taught the wackiest garbage in their RCIA classes who have to either put up with it or “church shop” for a better program. (I’m speaking of those in the process of converting … you can’t expect someone not yet Catholic to completly revamp a bad RCIA program)

I agree with your previous post. It seems that it’s pretty much a free-for-all when it comes to authority… it doesn’t make the Catholic Church wrong - it just means we have to pray for our Bishops and Priests.
 
Aydam, you cannot honestly say that you left the Latin Rite because of “statements like this.”:ehh:

I am trying to figure out just which statement you objected to.

Even so, leaving your church and your religion because of some unintentionally rude or stupid statement seems quite shallow to me. You must have had a deeper reason.

:highprayer:
 
Yes, it seems that "liberals’ and unfaithful Catholics have a natural attraction to such positions within the Church. Grab a copy of the Catechism and/or the Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Dr. Peter Kreeft. Then, hit them over the head (figuratively) with it. Also, talk to Father about the heresy. Let him know that you were confused and upset over the non-Catholic teachings. You are in the ideal position to communicate this.
 
po18guy said:
Yes, it seems that "liberals’ and unfaithful Catholics have a natural attraction to such positions within the Church. Grab a copy of the Catechism and/or the Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Dr. Peter Kreeft. Then, hit them over the head (figuratively) with it. Also, talk to Father about the heresy. Let him know that you were confused and upset over the non-Catholic teachings. You are in the ideal position to communicate this.
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*Yes, it seems that "liberals’ and unfaithful Catholics have a natural attraction to such positions within the Church. *

That is a disrespectful and unjust characterization. There are many skilled, loving and faithful Catholics who do the best they can to teach the faith. They work all day, they tend to family and other needs, and they still give of themselves diligently and joyfully as volunteers to bring people to the sacraments. Please be more charitable and appreciative.

If your parish has liberal and/or unfaithful Catholics on its parish RCIA team, then get involved yourself (with a charitable attitude please). If your parish is blessed with RCIA leaders who are orthodox in faith and effective in teaching the faith, then support them by donating refreshments, being a sponsor, and being welcoming to the RCIA participants.
 
quiet52 said:
*Yes, it seems that "liberals’ and unfaithful Catholics have a natural attraction to such positions within the Church. *

That is a disrespectful and unjust characterization. There are many skilled, loving and faithful Catholics who do the best they can to teach the faith. They work all day, they tend to family and other needs, and they still give of themselves diligently and joyfully as volunteers to bring people to the sacraments. Please be more charitable and appreciative.

If your parish has liberal and/or unfaithful Catholics on its parish RCIA team, then get involved yourself (with a charitable attitude please). If your parish is blessed with RCIA leaders who are orthodox in faith and effective in teaching the faith, then support them by donating refreshments, being a sponsor, and being welcoming to the RCIA participants.
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Sorry for any offense. None intended. Didn’t say all. Didn’t say the majority. Just said my experience, combined with the OP’s and many other posters in this and other threads. In my case, it is an entrenched bureaucracy that does not want to change, and constantly changing priests that do not have time or inclination to change it. Of course, most programs are orthodox and just fine. A few are not. Look around to where the “progressives” naturally gravitate and you might see a few here and there.
 
Learn2bCatholic said:
I am going to be starting RCIA soon and was wondering if anyone could give me a preview of what all I will be learning. I have been waiting since January for the next class and since I went to a spiritual womans retreat with the church in May have gotten even more excited about it. Will it teach me everything I need to know about being a Catholic? I have learned some things in different Bible study groups such as praying the Rosary but know I have so much more to learn.
Feel free to pm or email me anything about it.

Have a blessed day,

Amanda
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The best thing to do, is ask questions! Don’t be embarrased. More than likely, there are other people in you’re class that want to know the same thing. Many things are not dicussed. Have a blessed day.
 
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