RCIA is NOT an adult education program for Catholics!
Since when? I know more than a few horrifically catechized adults who attended RCIA as sponsors for candidates and re-learned their faith, correctly. That information spread, and people started to attend RCIA to better learn their faith.
I somehow really didn’t think that you would. I didn’t ask who you were or for any personal information at all other than the name of this alleged school. You posted a truly horrific story. One that cries out to the hearts of all Catholics. I being a retired police officer of over 25 years experience merely offered to look into the matter.
What it is is making RCIA fit something it was never intended to be. The U.S. Bishops have been saying for years, seven to be exact that parishes must provide ongoing Adult Faith Formation. RCIA was never intended to be an Adult Faith Formation program. But that is getting off the original topic of a tabernacle in a classroom.
Then we all need to start a campaign for Adult Faith Formation classes.
Well, I guess I should inform the pastor at once. Every Sunday during RCIA, the bulletin publishes the time, date and location of the classes. Also publishes what the particular discussion and teaching for that week is going to be. There is also an invitation for any parishoner who would like to learn MORE about their faith.
Sad to say Brother many parishes routinely use the RCIA process for exactly that, an adult faith formation class. At the parish where the Diocese out here gives catechist training the bulletin not only lists when the RCIA classes are, it says what subject the class will be on and invites ALL to attend, for whatever reason.
Our parish also invites all.
This is most interesting. Our parish school has a chapel in the school building and in that chapel, there is a tabernacle where the blessed Eucharist resides. Once a week they hold Eucharist devotions where each class spends half an hour with the exposed Eucharist. They also have weekly mass in the chapel for the school children.
It sounds like it’s okay because it is in a separate building, not in 2 places in a church.
A parish has got to do what it can to provide adult faith formation, but if the volunteers don’t come forward to provide it, well, a parish has got to do what it’s got to do. The RCIA Study Edition ("Complete text of the rite together with the additional rites approved for use in the dioceses of the U.S.A.) does not specifically prohibit non-candidates and non-catechumens from participating with them in the process. In fact, it can be an effective means of helping those who are preparing for the sacraments to know they are “home” in their parish family.
One would assume that the Bishop has given permission for the Blessed Sacrament to be reserved in the chapel. I believe however it is required that Mass be celebrated in the chapel at least once a month where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
yes it is permitted by permission of the bishop, that a chapel or oratory be established outside a church, such as in a Catholic institution, but there are rules governing it, and we just assume your school and those in charge are following the rules. That does not seem to be the case described by OP.
yes it is permitted by permission of the bishop, that a chapel or oratory be established outside a church, such as in a Catholic institution, but there are rules governing it, and we just assume your school and those in charge are following the rules. That does not seem to be the case described by OP.
Mass is celebrated for the school children weekly (a different class each week) except in the summer time. Wonder what happens then? Maybe the Blessed Sacrament is moved back to the church across the street.
