Recruiting Sponsors

[SuscipeMeDomine]

In another thread rwoehmke said:

We have never had a problem in over 16 years. There are always more volunteer sponsors than we need. It’s up to the team/parish to provide people willing to be sponsors. We usually have them in excess for the first couple of meetings and then after looking the crowd over the person taking RCIA can “cut one out from the herd.”

I would be interested in hearing how you recruit sponsors. I’ve primarily done three things and they’re not working well.

First, we ran blurbs in the bulletin explaining a bit about what a sponsor does and asking for volunteers. I got no responses to this. (And I’m sure that if Jesus was recruiting apostles by advertising in the bulletin he wouldn’t have gotten any followers either!)

Second, members of the RCIA team approach parishioners individually and ask. When I ask, most people turn me down saying something like “I’m flattered that you would ask, BUT…” On the other hand, I have had success in finding people this way. They’ll go off to think about it but then eventually say yes.

I’ve asked the people heading up different ministries (lectors, extraordinary ministers, ushers, etc.) to talk with the people in their groups but haven’t had success that way either.

I’d be interested in hearing your success stories.

 

[puzzleannie]

(And I’m sure that if Jesus was recruiting apostles by advertising in the bulletin he wouldn’t have gotten any followers either!)

.

if Jesus, Peter, Paul and the rest had to rely on getting their message out throught the weekly bulletin we would still be worshipping caveman gods and Christianity would have remained an obscure Jewish sect mired in rural Palestine.

have never succeeded, in this parish, in recruiting RCIA sponsors (or catechists, or any other volunteers) from a bulletin or pulpit announcement. Word of mouth and personal invitation is the only thing that works. Roughly 25 invites to one real committed volunteer is a working ratio. For that matter, in 6 years I have not even been able to build and RCIA team. Fact is the commitment is a huge one for volunteers, and none of the staff want anything to do with it. RCIA takes more time, attention, paperwork, follow-up and material resources for the 15-20 children and 10-20 adults involved, than does the entire K-12 CCD program for 600 families.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

In another thread rwoehmke said:

I would be interested in hearing how you recruit sponsors. I’ve primarily done three things and they’re not working well.

First, we ran blurbs in the bulletin explaining a bit about what a sponsor does and asking for volunteers. I got no responses to this. (And I’m sure that if Jesus was recruiting apostles by advertising in the bulletin he wouldn’t have gotten any followers either!)

Second, members of the RCIA team approach parishioners individually and ask. When I ask, most people turn me down saying something like “I’m flattered that you would ask, BUT…” On the other hand, I have had success in finding people this way. They’ll go off to think about it but then eventually say yes.

I’ve asked the people heading up different ministries (lectors, extraordinary ministers, ushers, etc.) to talk with the people in their groups but haven’t had success that way either.

I’d be interested in hearing your success stories.

Try asking the Catechumens and Candidates if they know anyone who is Catholic that they would like to be their Sponsor.

 

[jmcrae]

Roughly 25 invites to one real committed volunteer is a working ratio.

Thanks, that’s good information to know.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thanks, that’s good information to know.

I agree. And it makes me feel much better about the number that I’ve been able to get to say yes.

Br. Rich – they never know anyone they want as sponsors except perhaps fiances or boy/girlfriends. And we don’t want to invite a boyfriend or fiance to be their sponsors.

I’ve already told the people in RCIA this year that in a couple of years I’m going to come back to them and ask them to be sponsors and they better say yes!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I agree. And it makes me feel much better about the number that I’ve been able to get to say yes.

Br. Rich – they never know anyone they want as sponsors except perhaps fiances or boy/girlfriends. And we don’t want to invite a boyfriend or fiance to be their sponsors.

I’ve already told the people in RCIA this year that in a couple of years I’m going to come back to them and ask them to be sponsors and they better say yes!

I would agree with the boyfriend or fiance situation. A Caholic Husband or wife is fine.

 

[BSHoop96]

I would agree with the boyfriend or fiance situation. A Caholic Husband or wife is fine.

In our parish a spouse cannot be your sponsor.

They use the bulletin, they ask personally and they recruit from last year’s RCIA class. Some people already have a sponsor, also. They are still asking for this year so I think it’s a problem for everyone.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

In our parish a spouse cannot be your sponsor.

They use the bulletin, they ask personally and they recruit from last year’s RCIA class. Some people already have a sponsor, also. They are still asking for this year so I think it’s a problem for everyone.

Your parish cannot make up it’s own rules. Nothing in Church Law or the Rite prohibits a spouse from being a sponsor. Now with that said I will agree that sometimes it may not be the best situation and may need to be addressed on an individual basis but it cannot be outright prohibited across the board.

 

[BSHoop96]

Your parish cannot make up it’s own rules. Nothing in Church Law or the Rite prohibits a spouse from being a sponsor. Now with that said I will agree that sometimes it may not be the best situation and may need to be addressed on an individual basis but it cannot be outright prohibited across the board.

Actually Br. Rich, I don’t remember quite how they said it to us but seeing as that we have a conservative parish that does not, as you put it, “makes things up” I’m sure they worded it in such a way as "we really prefer…strongly suggest…blah, blah, blah that a spouse does not act as the sponsor. If you are actually listening you will “get it” and although I would have liked to sponsor my husband, I would never have shown him that as his very first step into the Church that we do something that our priest does not prefer by complaining about how they run their RCIA and fussing until we got our way.

 

[puzzleannie]

Your parish cannot make up it’s own rules. Nothing in Church Law or the Rite prohibits a spouse from being a sponsor. Now with that said I will agree that sometimes it may not be the best situation and may need to be addressed on an individual basis but it cannot be outright prohibited across the board.

in this diocese the spouse or novia (bf or fiance) is specifically prohibited from being a sponsor for sacraments & RCIA. I presume it is because almost invariably the couple is irregular (cohabitting or not married by the Church) so both need pastoral care for that situation, and by definition one is not meeting the requirements of sponsor for the other–conformity to Christian moral teaching.

That includes being the sponsor during the first stages of RCIA. Of course by the time the actual sacraments are administered, the marital situation has been rectified, but I believe this discussion is about RCIA sponsors. I further deduce that just because a couple testifies they have rectified an irregular living situation does not mean they have actually done so. In my experience, the times this rule has been stretched have invariably backfired (at previous parish the supposedly platonic girlfriend who served as RCIA sponsor stood up at Easter with her candidate quite obviously pregnant and they were married shortly afterward–this is one example among many).

that brings to the fore my biggest grievance about RCIA as it is currently conducted in most parishes. that is that I, a layperson, competent to give instruction in the faith, is also charged with the duty of attesting that the individual is “ready and worthily disposed” for the sacraments. That involves a pastoral judgment often on matters for confession upon which I am manifestly not competent to make, yet the priests usually bail on this. I can send the person to the priest but the most I can hope for is his assurance that he has counselled the individual or couple, and that they are free to proceed to the sacraments.

 

[BSHoop96]

in this diocese the spouse or novia (bf or fiance) is specifically prohibited from being a sponsor for sacraments & RCIA. I presume it is because almost invariably the couple is irregular (cohabitting or not married by the Church) so both need pastoral care for that situation, and by definition one is not meeting the requirements of sponsor for the other–conformity to Christian moral teaching.

That includes being the sponsor during the first stages of RCIA. Of course by the time the actual sacraments are administered, the marital situation has been rectified, but I believe this discussion is about RCIA sponsors. I further deduce that just because a couple testifies they have rectified an irregular living situation does not mean they have actually done so. In my experience, the times this rule has been stretched have invariably backfired (at previous parish the supposedly platonic girlfriend who served as RCIA sponsor stood up at Easter with her candidate quite obviously pregnant and they were married shortly afterward–this is one example among many).

that brings to the fore my biggest grievance about RCIA as it is currently conducted in most parishes. that is that I, a layperson, competent to give instruction in the faith, is also charged with the duty of attesting that the individual is “ready and worthily disposed” for the sacraments. That involves a pastoral judgment often on matters for confession upon which I am manifestly not competent to make, yet the priests usually bail on this. I can send the person to the priest but the most I can hope for is his assurance that he has counselled the individual or couple, and that they are free to proceed to the sacraments.

puzzleannie, I have a few concerns about that myself. I am a first-time sponsor (not for my husband). I did not know this person previously.

 

[jmcrae]

that brings to the fore my biggest grievance about RCIA as it is currently conducted in most parishes. that is that I, a layperson, competent to give instruction in the faith, is also charged with the duty of attesting that the individual is “ready and worthily disposed” for the sacraments. That involves a pastoral judgment often on matters for confession upon which I am manifestly not competent to make, yet the priests usually bail on this. I can send the person to the priest but the most I can hope for is his assurance that he has counselled the individual or couple, and that they are free to proceed to the sacraments.

It’s the same with Sacramental Preparation. I am told that it is my job to make sure they are ready, except that I am not allowed to record attendance, or insist that they register with a Baptismal certificate. (I can “strongly recommend” this, but I can’t tell them “no,” if they don’t.)

I had a girl Confirmed last year and I am not entirely certain to this day whether or not she is even a Catholic - no baptismal certificate was ever turned in, and the parents seemed indifferent to the fact that she was being Confirmed (they did not attend the ceremony).

At first, I was relieved to see that she had a sponsor, but then after speaking to her I realized that her sponsor didn’t know her at all - she couldn’t remember her sponsor’s name, and the sponsor seemed unaware that no registration had been filed, nor how to track down her baptismal certificate. As far as I know, no registration for her has ever been filed with our office.

But I was told that “we do not deny the Sacraments to anyone who asks for them,” so - what could I do?

 

[BSHoop96]

It’s the same with Sacramental Preparation. I am told that it is my job to make sure they are ready, except that I am not allowed to record attendance, or insist that they register with a Baptismal certificate. (I can “strongly recommend” this, but I can’t tell them “no,” if they don’t.)

I had a girl Confirmed last year and I am not entirely certain to this day whether or not she is even a Catholic - no baptismal certificate was ever turned in, and the parents seemed indifferent to the fact that she was being Confirmed (they did not attend the ceremony).

At first, I was relieved to see that she had a sponsor, but then after speaking to her I realized that her sponsor didn’t know her at all - she couldn’t remember her sponsor’s name, and the sponsor seemed unaware that no registration had been filed, nor how to track down her baptismal certificate. As far as I know, no registration for her has ever been filed with our office.

**But I was told that “we do not deny the Sacraments to anyone who asks for them,” so - what could I do? /**QUOTE]

I don’t get this. Making sure someone is properly disposed is not denying. What a difficult position for you to be in.

 

[jmcrae]

I don’t get this. Making sure someone is properly disposed is not denying. What a difficult position for you to be in.

This is also my thinking, but I can’t go against what I am being told to do. The girl is thinking of joining our Youth Group, so hopefully I can find a way to get to the bottom of the situation, and get her records corrected/updated, at some point in the near future. (I don’t have any contact information for her parents at all, and she is one of these kids who spends most of her time in a world of fantasy - extremely bright, and very creative, but not really able to say who she is, or where she comes from in any form that translates to something I can use for record-keeping.)

 

[BSHoop96]

This is also my thinking, but I can’t go against what I am being told to do. The girl is thinking of joining our Youth Group, so hopefully I can find a way to get to the bottom of the situation, and get her records corrected/updated, at some point in the near future. (I don’t have any contact information for her parents at all, and she is one of these kids who spends most of her time in a world of fantasy - extremely bright, and very creative, but not really able to say who she is, or where she comes from in any form that translates to something I can use for record-keeping.)

That’s bizarre. I guess another way to look at it is that at least she may be in a Catholic Youth Group with people who care instead of really heading down the wrong path.

 

[jmcrae]

That’s bizarre. I guess another way to look at it is that at least she may be in a Catholic Youth Group with people who care instead of really heading down the wrong path.

I am thinking that she has been trained not to give out identifying information about herself (she also misdirected me about what school she goes to, which was why the school I contacted had no information about her) but yes, being in Youth Group will probably provide me with some opportunity to have contact with her parents, and find out what’s going on with her.

 

[BSHoop96]

I am thinking that she has been trained not to give out identifying information about herself (she also misdirected me about what school she goes to, which was why the school I contacted had no information about her) but yes, being in Youth Group will probably provide me with some opportunity to have contact with her parents, and find out what’s going on with her.

Now that is strange. About the school. Possibly she’s homeless or a runaway or something? Maybe there are no parents in the picture.

 

[jmcrae]

Now that is strange. About the school. Possibly she’s homeless or a runaway or something? Maybe there are no parents in the picture.

She seems well cared for - she’s clean, well groomed, and nicely dressed, and she has her own e-mail and cell phone (contacting her is not the problem) - someone’s paying for that. She reads at a level that is appropriate for her age, as well, so she’s obviously attending school - just not the one she gave me as a reference.

It’s possible that her parents are divorced, which could be one explanation of why they are not taking part in her spiritual life.

Anyway, I will keep praying for her, and see what transpires if/when she joins the Youth Group.

 

[BSHoop96]

She seems well cared for - she’s clean, well groomed, and nicely dressed, and she has her own e-mail and cell phone (contacting her is not the problem) - someone’s paying for that. She reads at a level that is appropriate for her age, as well, so she’s obviously attending school - just not the one she gave me as a reference.

It’s possible that her parents are divorced, which could be one explanation of why they are not taking part in her spiritual life.

Anyway, I will keep praying for her, and see what transpires if/when she joins the Youth Group.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Your parish cannot make up it’s own rules. Nothing in Church Law or the Rite prohibits a spouse from being a sponsor. Now with that said I will agree that sometimes it may not be the best situation and may need to be addressed on an individual basis but it cannot be outright prohibited across the board.

Maybe one day you will be in the class when one is asked a question and their response is to look at their spouse/boy-friend/girl-friend, eventually the sponsor answers not the candidate. Hopefully you will not get to see them fight before your eyes: that is ugly. BTW the proper response is: We (RCIA Team) will not support a recommendation for sacraments when the candidate’s assessment is from the spouse/boy-friend/girl-friend.

I am thinking that she has been trained not to give out identifying information about herself (she also misdirected me about what school she goes to, which was why the school I contacted had no information about her) but yes, being in Youth Group will probably provide me with some opportunity to have contact with her parents, and find out what’s going on with her.

The priest should conditionally baptize her leaving her need for privacy separate from relationship to the church.