Thoughts on Being a Good RCIA Sponsor?

[DakiniArtist]

Folks,

I am honored and humbled to have been asked to return to RCIA (they need to just permanently put my name on that seat I’ve sat in for years) as a sponsor.

I’m sure there will be training, etc.

Any tips, thoughts, caveats?

Thanks!

Catie

Tibet Swim Team 2015

 

[E.E.N.S]

Some very general recommendations would be:

-KNOW & TEACH the Faith - don’t rely only on the RCIA group to do so, as more often than not the RCIA group does this very inadequately (to say the least). Answer questions, and make necessary corrections when needed, using official Church teaching - don’t guess or make assumptions, and don’t compromise, as you have a very severe responsibility here!

-Outside of the actual RCIA classes, give your catechumen/candidate materials to study, and make sure that they are grasping - and assenting - to said material. Help them to become familiar with the Catechism, (as well as other documents & materials as you see fit).

-If, when the time comes, your catechumen/candidate does NOT assent 100% to Church teaching, do NOT allow them to go through with the process!! This happens far too often, and is a great travesty.

-Pray. Pray with & for your catechumen/candidate, as well as for yourself in your roll as their sponsor. This is a very serious obligation, and should be treated as such.

 

[pianistclare]

Answer questions according to the Catechism and you won’t steer them off base.
Be patient.
Listen.
Pray for them and let them know you are praying for them.
Invite them to parish retreats, Adoration, good talks, etc. Make them feel a part of the parish, even if only to observe, if they are feeling awkward about it. Most of the attrition we see from RCIA is that they get this feeling they “graduate” and bammo! They’re Catholic. And they feel lost, they don’t know anyone, and the security of the classes and their sponsors is gone.
Introduce them to your parish friends. The more people praying for them and available to them the better.
Thanks for stepping up.
And if you DON’T know the answer, tell them you will get all the reliable info you can, and then really do it!

Peace!
Clare

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The best sponsors I’ve seen are the ones that really spend time with their catechumens or candidates.

• Join them in RCIA sessions as often as possible
• Join them at Mass as often as possible
• Have coffee & donuts after Mass and use that time to introduce them to others in the parish
• Invite them to join you in parish activities (a parish mission, speaker, day of reflection, etc.)
• Invite them to join you in groups you belong to
• Invite them to coffee or dinner so you can talk about how things are going

Be supportive of them and pray for them. Let them know that if they have a question/problem/issue they can bring it up with you.

And on the “don’t” side, don’t take on the role of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately their decision to become Catholic is between them and God. Encourage but don’t push too hard or try to make them move faster than they’re ready.

 

[Captain_America]

Folks,

I am honored and humbled to have been asked to return to RCIA (they need to just permanently put my name on that seat I’ve sat in for years) as a sponsor.

I’m sure there will be training, etc.

Any tips, thoughts, caveats?

Thanks!

Catie

Tibet Swim Team 2015

Hey, that sounds like fun! Enjoy it!

 

[DakiniArtist]

Guys, I just noticed this was one time my phone’s autocorrect changed “Tiber” to “Tibet” and I did not catch it.

Let’s all have a pint and a laugh about it!

Cap, I think that’s marvelous advice.

 

[pensmama87]

I was just a sponsor for the very first time and I don’t think I did a very good job, so maybe mine can be a lesson in what NOT to do.

I did (and do) pray for the person, but I got the sense early on that she wasn’t really committed to the process. She was missing a lot of sessions and even a few of the rites. I should have informed the RCIA director earlier on that I didn’t think she was ready, and the director felt the same way when we discussed it, but at that point we were so close to the end the pastor said to let her continue.

I don’t really feel like I got to know her well. We texted back and forth a few times outside of class about specific questions she had. Still, though, I remember growing up “unchurched” and how awkward it was to even begin to have conversations about religious stuff. I could have been more welcoming, even if she would have turned me down (I think she would have, but still, you never know until you ask!)

I did give her a small gift after she came into the Church. I have no idea if I will see her again.

 

[pianistclare]

I was just a sponsor for the very first time and I don’t think I did a very good job, so maybe mine can be a lesson in what NOT to do.

I did (and do) pray for the person, but I got the sense early on that she wasn’t really committed to the process. She was missing a lot of sessions and even a few of the rites. I should have informed the RCIA director earlier on that I didn’t think she was ready, and the director felt the same way when we discussed it, but at that point we were so close to the end the pastor said to let her continue.

I don’t really feel like I got to know her well. We texted back and forth a few times outside of class about specific questions she had. Still, though, I remember growing up “unchurched” and how awkward it was to even begin to have conversations about religious stuff. I could have been more welcoming, even if she would have turned me down (I think she would have, but still, you never know until you ask!)

I did give her a small gift after she came into the Church. I have no idea if I will see her again.

Invite her out for coffee. Sometimes the things you find out after the fact is helpful to the leadership going forward.

 

[Captain_America]

Does she have a friend who might enjoy doing this with her?

 

[ForeverJoy]

Folks,

I am honored and humbled to have been asked to return to RCIA (they need to just permanently put my name on that seat I’ve sat in for years) as a sponsor.

I’m sure there will be training, etc.

Any tips, thoughts, caveats?

Thanks!

Catie

Tibet Swim Team 2015

Congrats!!! I hope that some day, when I finally join I’ll be able to be a sponsor too! :grouphug: