Rcia Questions

[fhansen]

I’m training to become an RCIA leader/catechist.There seems to be a lot of differences in how RCIA is presented at the parish or diocesan levels and apparently a lot of changes being considered.

For catechumens, do you desire more structure/doctrine and less subjective/personal discussion or have you experienced a good balance in those areas? Have basic Catholic doctrines been presented well- or rarely at all? What’s right about the program and what can stand improving from your experience?

For catechists, what are the most important resources for 1) structuring an RCIA program, and 2) presenting the faith most successfully? Can GOF meetings be integrated or serve as replacements for RCIA classes?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

What are GOF meetings?

 

[jmcrae]

I’m training to become an RCIA leader/catechist.There seems to be a lot of differences in how RCIA is presented at the parish or diocesan levels and apparently a lot of changes being considered.

For catechumens, do you desire more structure/doctrine and less subjective/personal discussion or have you experienced a good balance in those areas? Have basic Catholic doctrines been presented well- or rarely at all? What’s right about the program and what can stand improving from your experience?

For catechists, what are the most important resources for 1) structuring an RCIA program, and 2) presenting the faith most successfully? Can GOF meetings be integrated or serve as replacements for RCIA classes?

Don’t skimp on anything - not the Rites, not the Sunday Breaking Open the Word, not the Catechesis, and not the four periods of RCIA.

My biggest beef with RCIA is that too many people have the minimalistic attitude of “if it’s optional, skip it. They’re only converts; we have more important things to do.” In reality, the most important people in the parish are the converts - that’s not me talking; that’s in the General Directory for Catechesis, which puts unbaptized converts at the top of the list of parish priorities - sorry KofC and Women’s League, you are at the bottom.

I don’t know what “GOF” is, either, but if it’s part of the RCIA process, then it’s a different part than the Catechism classes, and no, the parts of RCIA are not interchangeable.

Do not skip Inquiry (nor cut it off arbitrarily - Inquiry should run year-round, so that those who still have questions have a place to go until they’re done), do not skip Catechesis, finish Catechesis during the Period of Catechesis (which means you have to make it long enough to cover all of your topics - the Church recommends at least one full calendar year; that’s at least 52 Catechism lessons), do not do Catechesis during the Enlightenment period, which should be a set of seven prayer retreats, and do not skip Mystagogia, which should also be at least seven weeks long; a year would be better.

 

[1ke]

You need to follow everything in the Rite book.

I am not sure what you mean regarding your statement that a lot of changes are being considered. By whom?

And, no, GOF (Generations of Faith) should **not **be used in lieu of RCIA materials or as a replacement for RCIA instruction.

If your diocese does not have a prescribed RCIA program that they require you to use, I highly recommend you get the Leader, Catechists, & Participants materials published by the Association of Catechumenal Minstry and take a training course if possible.

acmrcia.org/index2.html

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m training to become an RCIA leader/catechist.There seems to be a lot of differences in how RCIA is presented at the parish or diocesan levels and apparently a lot of changes being considered.

For catechumens, do you desire more structure/doctrine and less subjective/personal discussion or have you experienced a good balance in those areas? Have basic Catholic doctrines been presented well- or rarely at all? What’s right about the program and what can stand improving from your experience?

For catechists, what are the most important resources for 1) structuring an RCIA program, and 2) presenting the faith most successfully? Can GOF meetings be integrated or serve as replacements for RCIA classes?

In my opinion nothing needs to be changed, and there is nothing in the works to change anything that I’m aware of. If a Parish follows the RITE as contained in the White book correctly.

The most important resources are 1. The RITE. 2. The Catechism. 3. Church Documents on various topics. Of course there must also be Catechists who truely understand what the words “My teaching is not my own” mean.

The RITE does not specify how Catechesis is to be conducted, Follow the General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis ,

 

[fhansen]

Thank you all for the replies. Maybe changes are under consideration at our local level only-I’m still learning about the RCIA program. I may be fighting an uphill battle as our diocese is leaning towards using Generations of Faith in place of some of the RCIA classes and also towards a discussion oriented, what-does-the-scripture-reading-mean-to-you format. We’re required to be trained as catechists over a 3 year period but I have little understanding of the RCIA program specifically so I’m trying to gather all the info I can. I bought the General Directory for Catechesis awhile back but it sounds like I need a copy of the White Book. I know that they’re basing some of the proposed changes on Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, a USCCB publication on adult faith formation which I like the gist of but I don’t know in what capacity it would serve RCIA. Anyway, I’ll check out the resources and keep digging.

 

[quiet52]

In my opinion nothing needs to be changed, and there is nothing in the works to change anything that I’m aware of. If a Parish follows the RITE as contained in the White book correctly.

The most important resources are 1. The RITE. 2. The Catechism. 3. Church Documents on various topics. Of course there must also be Catechists who truely understand what the words “My teaching is not my own” mean.

The RITE does not specify how Catechesis is to be conducted, Follow the General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis ,

I’d also include the BIBLE as one of the most important resources.

 

[Joannm]

Thank you all for the replies. Maybe changes are under consideration at our local level only-I’m still learning about the RCIA program. I may be fighting an uphill battle as our diocese is leaning towards using Generations of Faith in place of some of the RCIA classes and also towards a discussion oriented, what-does-the-scripture-reading-mean-to-you format. We’re required to be trained as catechists over a 3 year period but I have little understanding of the RCIA program specifically so I’m trying to gather all the info I can. I bought the General Directory for Catechesis awhile back but it sounds like I need a copy of the White Book. I know that they’re basing some of the proposed changes on Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, a USCCB publication on adult faith formation which I like the gist of but I don’t know in what capacity it would serve RCIA. Anyway, I’ll check out the resources and keep digging.

The “what does the scripture mean to you” format you mention sounds like the Breaking Open the Word and not the catechetical sesson. When we break open the Word following the dismissal, we do discuss the scripture readings and do ask what it means to them. We want to try to help them to see that scripture does have meaning in their own lives. This brief time is not a time for scriptural exegesis. Of course if a person totally does not understand a passage we guide them in hearing the CHurch’s interpretation, but again we do it in the form of a discussion.

The catechetical sesson follows Mass (we do it on Sunday instead of another day of the week), when sponsors and candidates join us. This is more of an indepth look at doctrine and other aspects of faith.

I find Generations of Faith to be too wishy washy for RCIA. There is no real meat in it. It is OK to use for supplemental material or for general adult formation but I don’t particularly like it as it doesn’t go deep enough.

I applaud you on going to be certified for RCIA. We have been trying in our diocese to get all our RCIA catechists certified and it is an uphill battle. The thing is new people come on board every year and it is hard to keep track of all the new people and it is up to the parish coordinators to push for certification, and many do not.

Once correction, if I may. RCIA is a process, not a program. A program has a beginning and an end. Learning to be a Christian is a life long process that for some begins with RCIA but it doesn’t end with the Easter Vigil or Pentecost. Mystagogy continues, although informally for most, until we can no longer learn anymore about our God and our faith…that, my friend, lasts a lifetime. If we hold the attitude that this is a lifelong process, then maybe we can help convince others that it is so for them as well.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thank you all for the replies. Maybe changes are under consideration at our local level only-I’m still learning about the RCIA program. I may be fighting an uphill battle as our diocese is leaning towards using Generations of Faith in place of some of the RCIA classes and also towards a discussion oriented, what-does-the-scripture-reading-mean-to-you format. We’re required to be trained as catechists over a 3 year period but I have little understanding of the RCIA program specifically so I’m trying to gather all the info I can. I bought the General Directory for Catechesis awhile back but it sounds like I need a copy of the White Book. I know that they’re basing some of the proposed changes on Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, a USCCB publication on adult faith formation which I like the gist of but I don’t know in what capacity it would serve RCIA. Anyway, I’ll check out the resources and keep digging.

OHWBWU basically says that Adult Catechesis should be based on the RCIA model, so it’s the other way around. The BOW discussion is already a component of RCIA.

Yes, Get the “RITE” (White book) and study it carefully. Sleep with it under your pillow, for the how’s and why’s of RCIA. The Catechism is the basis of what.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m training to become an RCIA leader/catechist.There seems to be a lot of differences in how RCIA is presented at the parish or diocesan levels and apparently a lot of changes being considered.

a lot of your questions will be answered in your training, what does it consist of?

if GOF is Generations of Faith, it was never intended for RCIA or sacramental prep at least according to the guy (Roberts?) who presented it to our diocese. your participants could have the option to attend GOF with their families besides RCIA, esp. if sessions include work with the Sunday readings, but it won’t work as RCIA or Confirmation prep. If that is what your parish offers for continuing formation, that would be a good way to help them integrate into parish life, but it is not RCIA.

I believe ACM has already been mentioned (available from ltp.org who also supplies the ritual book, your bible for this). Pricey but this is a one-time investment as all resources are reproducible so you can customize your “handouts”. The catechist guide gives the background you need to present a lesson on each topic. However due to its arrangement, if you have never “taught RCIA” before it will take some getting used to.

systematic catechesis that follows the CCC, and the various catechisms they have for teens and adults, is Making Disciples by Our Sunday Visitor, which personally I recommend if you have never done this before. that is a guide for you, there are no handouts other than the companion catechisms, which are arranged as individual lessons for each topic. the guide tells you “what I have to teach” and is YOUR refresher course on the topic.
This was invaluable to me starting out.

what we are trying this year (catechist last year did not want to do it) is USCCA with study guide from OSV. so far, 4 weeks into the program, participants are enthusiastic, they are all mature adults, some Catholics wanting Confirmation, a few Protestants well versed in Christian basics and scripture seeking to become Catholic, 2 for baptism, and some parishioners and catechists who want a systematic course in doctrine.

we don’t do Handouts except for occasional prayer helps, as they have a student study and bible reading guide for the week, and a Handbook for Todays Catholic (Liguori) with prayers, practices, commandments, rosary guide etc.

 

[fhansen]

Thank you again for your replies. I’ve read every one of them and I’m piecing things together better as a result. I’ve spoken to a fellow team leader recently. Apparently there’s not a formal RCIA leadership certification and the RCIA resources available combined with our catechist training is the main background we’ll work from? It appears that our DRE is shooting for “what does todays’ reading mean to you”-as the main emphasis for the regular catechism classes-not just after dismissal. I don’t know where this is coming from and I’m the new kid so I’ll just have to keep inquiring about it tactfully. I really value your opinions as I’m able to gather a broader perspective here on the forums than I’ll get otherwise.

 

[ChadS]

Thank you again for your replies. I’ve read every one of them and I’m piecing things together better as a result. I’ve spoken to a fellow team leader recently. Apparently there’s not a formal RCIA leadership certification and the RCIA resources available combined with our catechist training is the main background we’ll work from? It appears that our DRE is shooting for “what does todays’ reading mean to you”-as the main emphasis for the regular catechism classes-not just after dismissal. I don’t know where this is coming from and I’m the new kid so I’ll just have to keep inquiring about it tactfully. I really value your opinions as I’m able to gather a broader perspective here on the forums than I’ll get otherwise.

Personal reflection on the scriptures is certainly important and can give people in RCIA and the team leaders a chance to learn more and understand things a little differently. However, having said that it shouldn’t and cannot be divorced from Church doctrine or teaching. I belong to our parish RCIA team and each week we start off with the following week’s gospel reading. There have been several times where minor corrections to what a person said have to be made so it doesn’t contradict Church teachings. When that happens our discussions are better and much richer for it.

ChadS

 

[KarenElissa]

Another really useful thing for me in RCIA was some general how to BE Catholic type stuff. Each week there was some typical Catholic thing included. Things like the prayer to your guardian angel, the Litany of the Saints, the Rosary, and various other common prayers and practices. It helped me not feel so lost as a new Catholic!

 

[puzzleannie]

? It appears that our DRE is shooting for “what does todays’ reading mean to you”-as the main emphasis for the regular catechism classes-not just after dismissal. I don’t know where this is coming from and I’m the new kid so I’ll just have to keep inquiring about it tactfully. I really value your opinions as I’m able to gather a broader perspective here on the forums than I’ll get otherwise.

there are two approaches to RCIA. the more common, and what has been the thrust since the North American Forum on the Catechumenate kind of took over (in the vacuum left by more conservative publishers, priests or other influences) relies strictly on the lectionary and on the rites themselves as the catechetical material.

the NAFC take is that the rites themselves are both normative and catechetical, which of course they are, and that if you adhere to “doing the rite right” the experience (key word) of the rites will be the basis for initial and ongoing conversion, as well as catechesis or “faith formation” of the catechumen.

key word is an experiential model, which has been the thrust of most catechetical resources, catechist formation etc for 30 yrs, ie. we begin with an individual’s experience, tap into a scripture that more or less relates to that experience, and THEN present church teaching that more or less hinges on that scripture.

this model relies on BOW-breaking open the word-and structures what formal catechesis there is on the content matter of the Sunday readings, the rites, the liturgical year etc. So if the reading is on the good Samaritan, the lesson will be on Christian charity and service. If the reading is on kingdom parables, less on will be something about heaven, the kingdom, salvation etc. These leads, some critics say, to a loosey-goosey approach to formal presentation of doctrine.

in this model BOW usually takes place during or after Sunday Mass, is a teaching session led by a facilitator using often a printed resource, followed by some form of faith sharing or individual (name removed by moderator)ut and sharing, trying to relate the message to daily life of participants. This may (or not) be followed up by a formal catechetical session teaching a specific topic of doctrine later in the week.

 

[puzzleannie]

alternate model for RCIA instruction

this is the classical catechetical model, based on 4 pillars of CCC, with a sytematic presentation of doctrine.

the rites and periods of the catechumenate are still followed properly, prepared for, and explained and explored after their celebration, and there must be adequate time to reflect on those rites or their meaning can be lost.

but the catechetical portion, while it may begin with some teaching on the readings, rests on a formal presentation in some manner of the point of doctrine, scripture relating to the doctrine, and only then discussion and sharing if personal experience that pertains. materials from the Association for Catechumenal Ministry, developed under the aegis of the Dept of Catechetics at Franciscan University of STeubenville, represent the gold standard of this approach to RCIA

many critics, even those involved in or trained by NAFC, are now admitting that absence of formal, structured topical catechesis is a failing of the “old” system.

 

[deborahb]

As a convert to Catholicism, my RCIA classes started with a short period going over the previous Mass readings. Our teachers then went through the Sacraments, Church history, and so on, one or two topics weekly, using the bible scriptures that went with each topic. We went to Rosary each month, which I still go to each month.
I just finished sponsoring someone coming into the Church this past Easter vigil. The DRE took over the RCIA class. Most of the classes completely dealt with the readings from previous Mass. Very little catechism was presented. The class had five minutes instruction on how to recite the Rosary, but no exposure to actually going since Rosary is at same time as classtime. One of our Deacons came in to talk about marriage and holy orders. 1hour and 45 minutes on holy orders and 15 minutes on marriage. My class spent two classes just on marriage and my teacher taped the class and burned a CD for us for future reference. This class never opened up a bible except for one time. Maybe because it was so different from my experience, I really felt this ‘new’ way fell way short in giving the class at least some basics in catechism. We had many in this class who were almost half-way through RCIA before they were told they had to have marriages convalided because their spouses were Catholic and they had not been married in the Church orginally. And it was the sponsors who told them not the DRE teacher who should’ve known since all have to fill out paperwork before you start, and your marriage info is part of that paperwork.
I feel I was better prepared with my class compared to the way it’s being done now. I apologize for my ‘rambling’.

 

[fhansen]

alternate model for RCIA instruction

this is the classical catechetical model, based on 4 pillars of CCC, with a sytematic presentation of doctrine.

the rites and periods of the catechumenate are still followed properly, prepared for, and explained and explored after their celebration, and there must be adequate time to reflect on those rites or their meaning can be lost.

but the catechetical portion, while it may begin with some teaching on the readings, rests on a formal presentation in some manner of the point of doctrine, scripture relating to the doctrine, and only then discussion and sharing if personal experience that pertains. materials from the Association for Catechumenal Ministry, developed under the aegis of the Dept of Catechetics at Franciscan University of STeubenville, represent the gold standard of this approach to RCIA

many critics, even those involved in or trained by NAFC, are now admitting that absence of formal, structured topical catechesis is a failing of the “old” system.

Thank you, this explains a lot. Serving as a sort of leader/aide last year, it seemed difficult to have time just to get the basics in. And catechumenates come from such varying backgrounds and so have different needs on top of that. But the team did well, generally covering a different doctrinal point at each class and using a variety of materials. However, this new direction of less structure would seem to me to be counterproductive and way less beneficial towards the purpose of building new Catholics. It sounds like there’s been some trial and error with different methods by others and in any case I have more info now to compare our program with.

 

[jmcrae]

It depends on the structure of the “unstructured” time. I ran a totally unstructured Inquiry class in which the Inquirers were said to know more than the Catechist when it came time for them to go to Catechism classes.

The first reason was that a lot of them were in Inquiry for 8 months or more, which was not optimal - three months should be the maximum, unless there is some kind of marriage issue to be dealt with, or if the person just is not sure that they want to be Catholic, yet.

But the second reason was that the Inquirers were encouraged to bring one question to each meeting, and then we (my partner and I, plus the sponsors and even the Inquirers) would use every resource we had to find the answers to those questions, which we would then discuss in the group.

If they were easy questions, or questions that we had dealt with before, we would just discuss them the same week, and for questions that needed more research, we would do the research and then get back to them the following week.

We also had a lot of books and printed handouts that we would lend and give to the Inquirers, so that they could do some follow-up on their own to get more information.

This was a very unstructured approach, since we never knew what sorts of questions people would bring to the meetings. Sometimes, things got a little wild - I remember one time we had a lady actually break down in tears because she just couldn’t understand something about the doctrine of Mary, and another lady became really angry and stormed out during a discussion about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but most of the time, it was just very interesting and very calm.

We never had very high attendance - we only ever had 5-6 people coming, at the most, so it was always like a one-on-one conversation. A lot of times, there were only one or two people there, so we were really able to take things apart and examine them in depth, and really get into the meat of things.

After four years of that, I was told that I couldn’t run the Inquiry group that way anymore, because the participants were coming out of there knowing more than the Catechist, and also, I had gotten them into the habit of asking and researching their questions, which I guess made for trouble in the Catechism class, because he wanted them to just sit there and listen while he talked.

 

[puzzleannie]

yes, inquiry period by its very nature is unstructured and the topics guided by questions asked. if they don’t really ask specific questions, you can use any of a number of published guides that go through basics on almost every newcomers mind. Journey of Faith from Liguori, the first packet Inquiry/preguntas is an example, what is the church, who’s who in the church, what does the church teach about: Mary, saints, prayer, the bible, sacraments. brief intro to these topics to answer common question and show source in Divine Revelation for these teachings. they are revisited later in depth during the Catechumenate.

The Catechumenate must have a structured systematic catechesis, rites and canon law demand it. (see the Ritual book for the references)

your best friend is the ritual book, study edition from ltp.org, and if ACM does not have a training in your area, it is worthwhile to go to a (more widely available) Beginnings Institute or Beginnings and Beyond (weekend or weeklong courses) from NAFC. the nuttiness varies depending upon who is doing the presentations, but they are very solid on reading the actual rites and being guided by them (which is what saves them from going off the rails completely).

If you are responsible only for catechesis, that is all you have to worry about, just teach from whatever resource you are given. If you have a wider responsiblity, discernment of conversion, advising couples on marriage issues etc. you absolutely must get further training or refer candidates and catechumens to the pastoral members of the team.

do not on any account ignore the importance and essential importance of post-baptismal catechesis, or mystagogy. w/o it your newbies are lacking crucial part of their formation (and it is time to take up everything that got somehow missed in the catechumenal period)

reference national statutes 7
a thoroughly comprehensive catechesis on the truths of Catholic doctrine and moral life, aided by approved catechetical texts, is to be provided during the period of the catechumenate. (elaborated in RCIA 75)
gradual
complete in coverage
conducted by priest, deacon or catechists
accommodated to the liturgical year
solidly supported by celebrations of the Word
leading to acquaintance with dogma and precepts
well you can read the rest