Reflection on RCIA Classes

  • Thread starter Thread starter Overture
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
O

Overture

Guest
I’ve been going through RCIA for a few weeks after several years of self-study and contemplation, and I wanted to get a bigger picture of what other people’s experiences were like in RCIA classes (if you went through it, have attended classes, etc.).

My class has about a dozen people in it who meet for an hour and a half every week with a Catechist as discussion leader. There are only a few of us who really feel comfortable enough to contribute (especially since it is only the inquiry phase of RCIA), and the Catechist isn’t the most naturally gifted public speaker of facilitator, though he seems like a very sweet man. Did many of your RCIA classes start a bit tense or awkward, and then as you worked into it there came a greater feeling of community and belonging?

And some things have me perplexed and feeling slight ill-at-ease. For instance, a participant posed the question, “What about when Jesus says that nobody can get to the Father except through him?” when the Catechist proposed that “The Church” could mean all of humanity. He brought up that the Bible contains errors, and that some of the New Testament was written with a sense of bitterness that early Christians felt toward non-Christians who were persecuting them. He proposed that this phrasing, and any phrasing that poises Christ as the only way for salvation, were essentially errors.

Now, I know that according to Vatican II documents, the Bible can contain scientific or historical errors, but not errors in matters of faith and morals. So how could things like this be errors, since they explicitly pertain to faith and morals? I believe the Catechist was trying to downplay the exclusionary aspects of Christianity, but then went on to explicitly say that the Church was not universalist. I feel like I’m on a bit of a theological roller-coaster ride.

But I seriously digressed into a diatribe that belongs elsewhere on this forum.

So, basically, despite preparing myself for years for conversion and feeling personally that I deeply want to be in communion and a member of the Catholic Church, my formal conversion process is off to a somewhat rocky start. I remain undaunted, but I wanted to get some other experiences (good, not-so-good, bizarre, etc.!) to give my own experience some perspective.

Thank you all. Much love.
 
Overture said:
I’ve been going through RCIA for a few weeks after several years of self-study and contemplation, and I wanted to get a bigger picture of what other people’s experiences were like in RCIA classes (if you went through it, have attended classes, etc.).

My class has about a dozen people in it who meet for an hour and a half every week with a Catechist as discussion leader. There are only a few of us who really feel comfortable enough to contribute (especially since it is only the inquiry phase of RCIA), and the Catechist isn’t the most naturally gifted public speaker of facilitator, though he seems like a very sweet man. Did many of your RCIA classes start a bit tense or awkward, and then as you worked into it there came a greater feeling of community and belonging?

And some things have me perplexed and feeling slight ill-at-ease. For instance, a participant posed the question, “What about when Jesus says that nobody can get to the Father except through him?” when the Catechist proposed that “The Church” could mean all of humanity. He brought up that the Bible contains errors, and that some of the New Testament was written with a sense of bitterness that early Christians felt toward non-Christians who were persecuting them. He proposed that this phrasing, and any phrasing that poises Christ as the only way for salvation, were essentially errors.

Now, I know that according to Vatican II documents, the Bible can contain scientific or historical errors, but not errors in matters of faith and morals. So how could things like this be errors, since they explicitly pertain to faith and morals? I believe the Catechist was trying to downplay the exclusionary aspects of Christianity, but then went on to explicitly say that the Church was not universalist. I feel like I’m on a bit of a theological roller-coaster ride.

But I seriously digressed into a diatribe that belongs elsewhere on this forum.

So, basically, despite preparing myself for years for conversion and feeling personally that I deeply want to be in communion and a member of the Catholic Church, my formal conversion process is off to a somewhat rocky start. I remain undaunted, but I wanted to get some other experiences (good, not-so-good, bizarre, etc.!) to give my own experience some perspective.

Thank you all. Much love.
Click to expand...
Have you discussed your concerns with the pastor?
 
My entire family has just begun the RCIA classes. My daughter and I go for an hour and a half session one night a week. I then also attend a special class the next day with my husband since he cannot attend the night class due to his work schedule. In our class, we currently have approximately 15 people.
So far my experience in the class has been great. There has been active participation, and a variety of people that come from different backgrounds. Our parish priest also on occasion joins us. We have several catechists that are with us in the evening session that are very knowledgeable and are able to explain such a question that comes up regarding biblical teachings. One of the best tools that Father had mentioned was to get a St Joseph version of the bible. It has several footnotes that explain the setting of passages as well as the translation and meaning of the verses/chapters. When we have encountered a question that the catechist can’t answer fully, Father will come in if he is available, or will give us the answer at another class. He really has a wonderful communication style of painting a whole picture so that the pieces all fall into place.
I look forward to my classed every week (even the extra one). We will be doing our Rite of Welcoming this Sunday.
God bless!
 
That is quite unfortunate, and you are correctly discerning that the nice man is not teaching correct doctrine. Sigh.

Please talk to your pastor.
 
Overture said:
I’ve been going through RCIA for a few weeks after several years of self-study and contemplation, and I wanted to get a bigger picture of what other people’s experiences were like in RCIA classes (if you went through it, have attended classes, etc.).

My class has about a dozen people in it who meet for an hour and a half every week with a Catechist as discussion leader. There are only a few of us who really feel comfortable enough to contribute (especially since it is only the inquiry phase of RCIA), and the Catechist isn’t the most naturally gifted public speaker of facilitator, though he seems like a very sweet man. Did many of your RCIA classes start a bit tense or awkward, and then as you worked into it there came a greater feeling of community and belonging?

And some things have me perplexed and feeling slight ill-at-ease. For instance, a participant posed the question, “What about when Jesus says that nobody can get to the Father except through him?” when the Catechist proposed that “The Church” could mean all of humanity. He brought up that the Bible contains errors, and that some of the New Testament was written with a sense of bitterness that early Christians felt toward non-Christians who were persecuting them. He proposed that this phrasing, and any phrasing that poises Christ as the only way for salvation, were essentially errors.

Now, I know that according to Vatican II documents, the Bible can contain scientific or historical errors, but not errors in matters of faith and morals. So how could things like this be errors, since they explicitly pertain to faith and morals? I believe the Catechist was trying to downplay the exclusionary aspects of Christianity, but then went on to explicitly say that the Church was not universalist. I feel like I’m on a bit of a theological roller-coaster ride.

But I seriously digressed into a diatribe that belongs elsewhere on this forum.

So, basically, despite preparing myself for years for conversion and feeling personally that I deeply want to be in communion and a member of the Catholic Church, my formal conversion process is off to a somewhat rocky start. I remain undaunted, but I wanted to get some other experiences (good, not-so-good, bizarre, etc.!) to give my own experience some perspective.

Thank you all. Much love.
Click to expand...
It is unfortunate that RCIA facilitators are volunteers who are not highly trained and perhaps not very well educated. It really is a mixed bag. You might catch him privately and offer your opinions or questions politely. Just slug along and keep alert. It is true that we go to the Father through Christ because Christ is our redeemer, his sacrafice enables us to go to the Father.

God Bless

Linus2nd
 
We avoid this sort of thing by having the RCIA facilitated by one of the Deacons, assisted by the DRE.
Go see your pastor. I hope your concerns are addressed.
 
1ke said:
That is quite unfortunate, and you are correctly discerning that the nice man is not teaching correct doctrine. Sigh.

Please talk to your pastor.
Click to expand...
It’s difficult to conclude false teaching based on an internet post.

Before going to the pastor, the OP should discuss it with the teacher to see if there was a misunderstanding.
 
Linusthe2nd said:
It is unfortunate that RCIA facilitators are volunteers who are not highly trained and perhaps not very well educated. It really is a mixed bag. You might catch him privately and offer your opinions or questions politely. Just slug along and keep alert. It is true that we go to the Father through Christ because Christ is our redeemer, his sacrafice enables us to go to the Father.

God Bless

Linus2nd
Click to expand...
You paint RCIA Catechists with an awful broad brush…at my Parish we are required 60 hours initial training by the diocese, on going classes to keep credential current, observation and evaluation by priests and pastor, and weekly class critiques from students…I wouldn’t consider our program as being facilitated by people “not highly trained” or “not well educated”.🤷
 
Our priest conducted the RCIA classes last year, as he always does. There were three Catechists there too, but they didn’t speak a great deal. They became our sponsors and have been a fantastic support.

We only had half a dozen people in the class, and it was conducted in an informal manner. The priest always opened with a song and prayers (he is a brilliant guitarist/vocalist). Then we’d have a reading from the Bible - we concluded in the same way.

He followed a programme, but we often diverted from it as things came up. I would have liked to ask some more searching questions, but three of the class were not native English-speakers, and I didn’t want to cause them confusion!

All in all, I’d say that it would have been hard to imagine how the priest could have made us feel any more welcome, and it was a very positive experience. All the sessions were held in the Parish House, where he lives.
 
Hope I am not “interloping” here because I have not been through RCIA but I just want to offer a couple of thoughts on the matter.

As others have said, RCIA programs and experiences can vary pretty widely. Some seem to be better (more orthodox than others). One should probably not look on the RCIA classes as the place to necessarily get all the “right” answers. Rather one gets (hopefully) a good grounding along with some different views and insights.
That said, I do agree that the comments of the RCIA facilitator should be discussed with the pastor. He might be able to give you some better insight.

Overall I think that RCIA should be looked on as a “test” to see if one is truly ready to enter the Church. Part of the process is what are called the “Scrutinies”. Well - - in my opinion the whole process is a scrutiny - a discernment. So keep plugging away.

As to the matter of what was discussed…It is really difficult for us to comment on the teacher here since we do not know the full context of how the conversation developed.

The matters as you have related them are of concern, but then people come to RCIA from many different backgrounds and he might have been trying to address this.
There are many deep things in our faith. People have questions - and ask them - even though they are not yet spiritually ready to embrace the answer. And if the person who is asked does not yet have the understanding, the answer can be – ummm – less than satisfying.
Understanding Jesus comment about needing to come though Him to the Father is one of these. If I may, I would like to offer my understanding on this…

The statement, taken in isolation, sounds cold and restrictive, yet taken within the whole of the Gospel and NT it really is not.
First, we recognize that those listening to Jesus knew they could not go “Through” him literally - so the meaning must be more metaphorical. “Through Him”…Through the word…through faith in Him…through doing that which he taught which is to do the Father’s will.
Then what is the core of the “Father’s Will”? Scripture tells us it is to Love (Agape) - To Love God and to Love neighbor as yourself. It is to Love that which IS love (Agape) (See 1 John 4:7-8).
So - to come to the Father (who is Agape in being) we need to come through the Son (who is Agape in action).

To me it pulls together the ideas of Jesus being the way, the truth and the life, while also accounting for the fact that there are many who have lived good, loving, and sacrificial lives who never heard of Jesus.

Don’t know that I can express it any better…Hope it makes some sense.

Peace
James
 
Overture said:
I’ve been going through RCIA for a few weeks after several years of self-study and contemplation, and I wanted to get a bigger picture of what other people’s experiences were like in RCIA classes (if you went through it, have attended classes, etc.).
Click to expand...
When I started I too had several years of self-study, contemplation and discernment about what I was looking for. I started RCIA last December. While I had a lot of study and reading done, starting RCIA when I did I had missed 12 or 13 classes by that time so I am still in it now. I should be confirmed this Easter though!
Overture said:
Did many of your RCIA classes start a bit tense or awkward, and then as you worked into it there came a greater feeling of community and belonging?
Click to expand...
Yes, it’s always been like that in *any *class I’ve ever been in, RCIA or any other. It will pass as people get used to it, get to know each other and spend time there.
Overture said:
And some things have me perplexed and feeling slight ill-at-ease…I wanted to get some other experiences (good, not-so-good, bizarre, etc.!) to give my own experience some perspective.
Click to expand...
My RCIA has been and still is great. I love the classes now (although it took going to them for awhile to get to this point!). My RCIA team is wonderful, very orthodox and traditional. From many posts I’ve seen here I am very lucky to have such a great RCIA experience. I plan to join the RCIA team once I’m confirmed. You might consider that option as well.
 
Hello Overture.

I’m an RCIA grad! Yippie! Welcome to the Church and may God bless your every step towards the Easter Vigil and full Communion with Him in the Church! I’m really happy for you.

Now, back to the meat and potatoes. You have concerns about the instructions you are receiving in class and about the authenticity of the particular beliefs of one or more of your instructors if I am correct. This can be very distressing. But keep the goal in mind - the Sacraments and life as a Catholic. You are not being asked to absorb the particular beliefs of the instructor, but those of the Church. Your job is to learn what you are supposed to learn and to prepare for your reception of the Sacraments - PERIOD. That is what you are responsible for in the sight of God and His Church and that is what you will be agreeing to when you recite the Creed for the first time in public. It is not necessary to disclose to the instructor(s) if you agree or disagree with his or her spin on the faith. That is private matter for you, your Priest and your RCIA Sponsor. Follow the Rites and the built in instructions in them both intellectually and spiritually. That is the Holy Spirit helping you to grow in the image and likeness of Jesus. Some of us arrive at the Easter Vigil a little crucified for our test of faith that the preparations can bring. It is a time of change and challenge and you will not be walking alone. It is God’s will that you receive Him in the Sacraments. Keep that in mind and all the obstacles will seem not as distressing.

Glenda
 
Check the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the correct answer. Start at paragraph 817.
819 “Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth” are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: “the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.” Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to “Catholic unity.”
 
My class started formally today (and informally earlier). There are about 25 people in the class, but I think only 5-6 of us are candidates/catechumens. We weren’t introduced so I’m just guessing. The rest are the RCIA team leaders and sponsors.

We are supposed to meet for an hour before mass and then return after the homily to meet again. We started late and ran late so I didn’t get to go to mass today which is why I’m on my computer complaining instead of at mass like I should be. It seems like RCIA shouldn’t be designed to interfere with mass, but I guess I’ll have to start going to Saturday night or the 6am mass if I want to be sure I can attend.

We had a lecture on the types of criticism used to interpret the Bible (historical critical method, isogesis, form criticism, text criticism, redaction criticism, etc). It was more like a vague and condensed college lecture from a professor who thinks Christians are superstitious idiots than a church lecture. I think the couple people in the class who have no religious background whatsoever probably just needed to be introduced to what the Bible is, what books it contains, and so forth in an introductory form. I also don’t like being told Catholics can’t believe in a 6-day creation. I was under the impression it was okay for Catholics to hold to a variety of opinions on that topic.

There wasn’t any time for class participation by asking question or anything, but since it was the first day, I doubt anyone would have spoken up readily. Perhaps later.

I am expecting RCIA to be a miserable trial so today was slightly better than I expected. I am really upset that I had to miss mass, though.
 
ArchAngeles said:
When I started I too had several years of self-study, contemplation and discernment about what I was looking for. I started RCIA last December. While I had a lot of study and reading done, starting RCIA when I did I had missed 12 or 13 classes by that time so I am still in it now. I should be confirmed this Easter though!
Click to expand...
Are you already a baptized Christian? If so WHY are that making you wait so long to be received into the Church. The RCIA for baptized candidates should be no longer than necessary. I interviewed a Lutheran woman this past week. Based on her background, her knowledge of Catholicism, and the fact that she attends daily Mass, we are bringing her into the Church before Christmas (what a Christmas gift!). She will be attending only about two months of sessions. Candidates for Full Profession can be brought into the Church at any time. In fact, the Easter Vigil is really only supposed to be for the unbaptized. The United States received a dispensation to allow for combined rites at the Vigil.
 
Hello Whatsmyname.
whatsmyname said:
My class started formally today (and informally earlier). There are about 25 people in the class, but I think only 5-6 of us are candidates/catechumens. We weren’t introduced so I’m just guessing. The rest are the RCIA team leaders and sponsors.

We are supposed to meet for an hour before mass and then return after the homily to meet again. We started late and ran late so I didn’t get to go to mass today which is why I’m on my computer complaining instead of at mass like I should be. It seems like RCIA shouldn’t be designed to interfere with mass, but I guess I’ll have to start going to Saturday night or the 6am mass if I want to be sure I can attend.

We had a lecture on the types of criticism used to interpret the Bible (historical critical method, isogesis, form criticism, text criticism, redaction criticism, etc). It was more like a vague and condensed college lecture from a professor who thinks Christians are superstitious idiots than a church lecture. I think the couple people in the class who have no religious background whatsoever probably just needed to be introduced to what the Bible is, what books it contains, and so forth in an introductory form. I also don’t like being told Catholics can’t believe in a 6-day creation. I was under the impression it was okay for Catholics to hold to a variety of opinions on that topic.

There wasn’t any time for class participation by asking question or anything, but since it was the first day, I doubt anyone would have spoken up readily. Perhaps later.

I am expecting RCIA to be a miserable trial so today was slightly better than I expected. I am really upset that I had to miss mass, though.
Click to expand...
RCIA can be fun and challenging. I am a graduate and received three Sacraments in one night at the end of mine. You need to go to the Mass that they require you to because at a point in time you will be officially sent out of the Mass as part of the Rites themselves, so go to the one they want you at. You need ALL the instructions they provide. If you’d like to go to an additional Mass on Saturday night that is fine, but it is important that you continue with the one your assigned to. It is good for your “obedience muscle” to get a stretch.

As for the actual instructions, you nor no one here has any control regarding what is offered. You aren’t being asked to agree or disagree with the presenter’s views. You are being asked by God to accept Him and His Church and what He teaches thru her. You need to find out what is required to believe and give your fiat to that and to only that, not the opinions about those things of others. That is what you are being asked by God, not the presenter. He or she is simply a human being doing the best they can. Some are more qualified than others to teach RCIA. Some are actually anointed by God for this task but they are few and far between. If you get in real trouble, you can ask for private instructions from the Priest at the parish responsible for this, but it isn’t always available and you may have to go to a different parish or even a Monastery in your area for this. That is okay too. Keep in mind it is God’s will that you come to Him in the Sacraments and whatever obsticles pop up in the process, are simply a test of faith. We all get challenged to take up the Cross during this time in our lives and some of us arrive at the Easter Vigil looking a little Crucified. And that is a good thing. Hang in there.

Glenda
 
glendab said:
Hello Whatsmyname.

RCIA can be fun and challenging. I am a graduate and received three Sacraments in one night at the end of mine. You need to go to the Mass that they require you to because at a point in time you will be officially sent out of the Mass as part of the Rites themselves, so go to the one they want you at. You need ALL the instructions they provide. If you’d like to go to an additional Mass on Saturday night that is fine, but it is important that you continue with the one your assigned to. It is good for your “obedience muscle” to get a stretch.

As for the actual instructions, you nor no one here has any control regarding what is offered. You aren’t being asked to agree or disagree with the presenter’s views. You are being asked by God to accept Him and His Church and what He teaches thru her. You need to find out what is required to believe and give your fiat to that and to only that, not the opinions about those things of others. That is what you are being asked by God, not the presenter. He or she is simply a human being doing the best they can. Some are more qualified than others to teach RCIA. Some are actually anointed by God for this task but they are few and far between. If you get in real trouble, you can ask for private instructions from the Priest at the parish responsible for this, but it isn’t always available and you may have to go to a different parish or even a Monastery in your area for this. That is okay too. Keep in mind it is God’s will that you come to Him in the Sacraments and whatever obsticles pop up in the process, are simply a test of faith. We all get challenged to take up the Cross during this time in our lives and some of us arrive at the Easter Vigil looking a little Crucified. And that is a good thing. Hang in there.

Glenda
Click to expand...
 
Joannm said:
Are you already a baptized Christian? If so WHY are that making you wait so long to be received into the Church. The RCIA for baptized candidates should be no longer than necessary. I interviewed a Lutheran woman this past week. Based on her background, her knowledge of Catholicism, and the fact that she attends daily Mass, we are bringing her into the Church before Christmas (what a Christmas gift!). She will be attending only about two months of sessions. Candidates for Full Profession can be brought into the Church at any time. In fact, the Easter Vigil is really only supposed to be for the unbaptized. The United States received a dispensation to allow for combined rites at the Vigil.
Click to expand...
That’s nice that your church is that open, Joannm. In practice, I don’t believe many are. My church, as well as all the churches I’ve looked into nearby, requires all baptized Christians to attend RCIA and be brought into the church at the same time as the Catechumens. The only way to join at another time is to complete the RCIA process and then join at some future date, not at a prior date. I know the USCCB says they’re not supposed to do it that way, but it’s how they do it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top