RCIA tonight

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BlestOne

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Tonight my husband and I start RCIA… not as candidates… as helpers. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. Any advice?
 
My husband and I did that one year. We enjoyed it. I don’t really have any advice, just remeber, you are their introduction to the parish. Whenever you see these people outside of RCIA, be sure to greet them and be friendly. You also should be willing to be sponsors. Good luck.
 
God bless you in this most vital and most under-served ministry. Please pray that I can finally build a real RCIA team this year.
 
puzzleannie said:
God bless you in this most vital and most under-served ministry. Please pray that I can finally build a real RCIA team this year.
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Prayers coming your way!!!

Well we went to the first meeting and I about cried! This one woman was so sad and empty… she just didn’t even know where to start… At break time I looked at her and whispered, “Do you smoke?” and she looked like she was gonna have a heart attack… so I explained that I was going outside for a cigarette and she got this indescribable look and asked, “Can Catholics smoke?” I said. “As long as we do it outside”

Later we said something about alcohol… it was really insignificant as far as I was concerned… I don’t even remember except that I was explaining that everyone is welcome to go to the Fall Festival and Auction we have coming up. Same thing… “You guys can drink?” By this time I figured she must have run across Baptists in her youth.

After class I was explaining that she could go to mass anytime she wants and she can do everything we do except receive communion… she declined for now and I said that was fine… then she asked if Father yells at us… OK, we have the most soft spoken teddybear of a priest… he is really really tall and a little on the stout side and just as gentle as they come… him yell? Never! I seriously think she was scared to death as a child by some preacher… so sad, I never expected that sort of baggage, but I am glad to witness that not everybody is like that… I hope she comes to see the love and gets over her fear. I felt so privileged to be there! There were some awesome people! One kid (late teen) that had such a great outlook on life after being shoved into foster homes and orphanages most of his life… amazing!
 
I’m so glad things went well. RCIA is such an important ministry. I’ll be praying for you and your new friend.
 
I love being part of the RCIA team so much, it makes me wanna convert again 😃
 
BlestOne’s story makes the vital point that getting to know the candidates does not usually happen during class, but outside, and that knowledge contains a vital core you need to help them progress. So it is so important to build in contacts outside the class per se. That is one reason why adding Breaking Open the Word, with an element of faith sharing, adds so much, and why a formal academic class is important, but not enough on its own.
 
puzzleannie said:
BlestOne’s story makes the vital point that getting to know the candidates does not usually happen during class, but outside, and that knowledge contains a vital core you need to help them progress. So it is so important to build in contacts outside the class per se. That is one reason why adding Breaking Open the Word, with an element of faith sharing, adds so much, and why a formal academic class is important, but not enough on its own.
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Oh PuzzleAnnie… You are soooo good!!! Thanks for saying what I needed to hear. Session 2 was last Wed and my woman was very disoriented. When I asked how she was doing during break we talked about her new meds and her counseling. I think she thinks she is more a mess than she really is… she is so hard on herself! I am attempting not to scare her off but establish a relationship with her to help her feel less alone. I guess her husband works tons of hours and she doesn’t see him until ater 7-8 each night. DH and I decided to pray for her to want to go to the school auction with us and gently ease her into our group of friends.
 
can’t think of anyone I would rather have on my RCIA than BlestOne (well, actually I would welcome any or all of you). get hold of a guide for sponsors, most RCIA publishers have one, because it helps differentiate, for any team member, the difference between witnessing and mentoring, and counselling or attempting to deal with problems beyond our competence. What I have seen in the past is that almost invariably the person who comes to the class with what seem to be psychological problems, rather than spiritual ones, soon leaves of their own accord (but not w/o a referral to a professional who can help).
 
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