Timing of RCIA classes

[Artyt]

A dilema that I know has to ultimately be worked out locally…

I am involved as a catechist/new director of an RCIA program that for years, for a variety of logistical and pedagogical reasons, has run for two hours on Sunday mornings, in a building other than the church itself.

The class time overlaps with one of the morning masses, and a new priest has objected to the scheduling of the class (or indeed any parish activity) in a way that, from his perspective, distracts attention from the liturgy.

He insists that the mass really should be the only activity going on oin the parish when one is scheduled.

I want to respect his sensibilities, and also to show respect for the liturgy, although I have never seen what we do as a problem–we certainly don’t do anything in the class except build up the mass and celebrate its centrality to the life of the faithful, and we emphasize the importance of attending liturgy even while folks are in formation–there are a variety of other masses to attend, and most team members go along to the mass that follows the class.

His expectation is that, a month into the class, we ask all twenty participants (plus our catechetical team) to designate a new time.

I actually, on reflection and prayer, agree that it might be better to have the class at a different time (although there will be some resitence to changing this particular “small t” tradition) but I worry that doing so in mid stream may discourage/confuse or otherwise disrupt the lives of our catechumans/canidates…

Advice or comments are welcome.

 

[LRThunder]

Is there any way to have RCIA classes on another day or night? I’m currently in RCIA and classes are held on Thursday nights, after the daily evening Mass.

 

[Artyt]

Thanks for the response–and I hope your process is going well

We could change the time…and I think we will, in future years.

We already host a seperate “inquiry” session on a weeknight, however, and most of our catechetical team (and class members) are folks with young kids, working spouses, so Sundays have usually worked better for consistent availability…

I guess, for me, the real issue is whether or not the disruption of everyone’s schedule (along with the possibility of losing someone who cleared the decks for our existing time but can’t make a new one) is the way to go…I do understand the idea that we ought to set apart mass times in some sort of way…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

A dilema that I know has to ultimately be worked out locally…

I am involved as a catechist/new director of an RCIA program that for years, for a variety of logistical and pedagogical reasons, has run for two hours on Sunday mornings, in a building other than the church itself.

The class time overlaps with one of the morning masses, and a new priest has objected to the scheduling of the class (or indeed any parish activity) in a way that, from his perspective, distracts attention from the liturgy.

He insists that the mass really should be the only activity going on oin the parish when one is scheduled.

I want to respect his sensibilities, and also to show respect for the liturgy, although I have never seen what we do as a problem–we certainly don’t do anything in the class except build up the mass and celebrate its centrality to the life of the faithful, and we emphasize the importance of attending liturgy even while folks are in formation–there are a variety of other masses to attend, and most team members go along to the mass that follows the class.

His expectation is that, a month into the class, we ask all twenty participants (plus our catechetical team) to designate a new time.

I actually, on reflection and prayer, agree that it might be better to have the class at a different time (although there will be some resitence to changing this particular “small t” tradition) but I worry that doing so in mid stream may discourage/confuse or otherwise disrupt the lives of our catechumans/canidates…

Advice or comments are welcome.

Few RCIA catechetical I have seen were done during a Mass time. I tend to agree if you are within 100 yards of the church while Mass is being celebrated you sould be in Mass. Most RCIA catechetical sessions are on a week night, sometimes Sunday afternoon, with BOW being the only exception to the Mass rule.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Brother Rich since its in a seperate building should they measure?

 

[puzzleannie]

what about BOW after the first mass, (first a short break for snack, leaving time for a 1 hr fast for those who will be receiving at the next Mass), BOW ends 15 minutes before the second Mass, then the catechetical session after the 2nd Mass. That makes a long morning, but also allows a choice of Mass times.

the other option would be meeting after the last Mass, which makes an even longer day, and some pastors discourage meetings on Sunday afternoon that break into “family time”.

does your pastor have an opinion about dismissing catechumens after the homily? our discourages it because in practical terms it often means catechists and sponsors must miss the rest of Mass, due to our schedule. I have never done it because we only have one or two adult catechumens (children meet on Saturday during regular CCD) and since I am not Padre Pio, I can’t bilocate, and I like to attend Mass with DH.

We meet after the 9 am Mass, 20 minutes with Sunday readings, break for 15 minutes for snack and coffee, 45 minute catechetical session, ending in time for the last Mass. It means you miss the Spanish Mass, but our Spanish class is on Saturday anyhow.

I have tried every other combination of day and time and this is the only thing that works for everybody. We gave up on inquiry sessions Monday night, or Wed, because no one ever came and I was sitting week after week waiting for people.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Brother Rich since its in a seperate building should they measure?

It’s just a rule form some of the priests I have worked with over the years and I have grown to agree. When you understand exactly what the Mass is really about nothing should keep you from being there, as with the early Christians, even the possibility of being killed for being there.

 

[mommyaprilj]

Our RCIA takes place during CCD, it’s appropriate I think, children and adults all together in one building going about the business of learning.

 

[RustiJS]

I am in RCIA on Sunday mornings. We attend morning Mass and when the homily is over, our father calls us forward and dismisses us to go and Break Open the Word of God. Then, we go into a room for about an hour and a half.

Rusti.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am in RCIA on Sunday mornings. We attend morning Mass and when the homily is over, our father calls us forward and dismisses us to go and Break Open the Word of God. Then, we go into a room for about an hour and a half.

Rusti.

Ok I have to ask. Those that are not Baptized are dismissed for BOW on Sunday Mornings. When does the Catechetical or teachings session with all the RCIA Catechumens (not Baptized) and Candidates (Baptized) take place?

 

[jmcrae]

Artyt;

Other than Dismissal of Catechumens for Breaking Open the Word, I agree with your priest.

As to the logistics of changing the time - talk to the RCIA participants, and mention to them that this is coming. If they ask why, simply say that your Pastor has requested this change for pastoral reasons - you don’t need to get into the details, or give any opinion one way or the other - just say, “They are asking us to change the time of our RCIA meetings as of the first week in November - which is better for you guys; Wednesday evenings, or Sunday afternoons?” (Or whatever your choices turn out to be.)

RCIA participants are remarkably flexible, as long as you give them lots of warning.

 

[RustiJS]

When we are dismissed for BOW.

 

[jmcrae]

When we are dismissed for BOW.

So, what happens to your Baptised candidates?

 

[Andruschak]

So, what happens to your Baptised candidates?

From what I have been able to read in these forums and elsewhere, very very few RCIA programs treat Candidates the way the US Council on Bishops recommended. See the link in my signature for what I am talking about.

For all practical purposes, most RCIA Candidates are treated as Catechumens, and that includes everything up to and including the Easter Vigil. About the ONLY difference between candidates like me and the Catechumans is that we may or may not get another splashing.

In my case, in defiance of the US Council of Bishops, it will be a public conditional baptism

Starting Sunday 5 November, the whole RCIA class will gather at 10:30 AM, go to the Church for the 11 AM mass, and leave before the Eucherist. 5 November is also The Rite Of Acceptence. I ahve already memorized The Profession Of faith, but may not be allowed to say it, since the catechumans would not be allowed to say it yet

 

[RustiJS]

So, what happens to your Baptised candidates?

The Baptized go with the unbaptized. Some that are in my class are converting from another religion or have not been around for awhile.

 

[Jeff_Hale]

We have about 15 candidates and 10 catechumens who are aiming for the Easter Vigil. All come to the front of the altar after the homily and are formally dismissed. We attend the 8:30am Mass, usually proceed to another large room in the parish building at about 9am, have B.O.W. to 9:45, refreshments and announcements between 9:45 to 10:15, then catechesis from 10:15 to 11:30. Sponsors stay for the entire 8:30 Mass and join us at 9:45 and are with us to 11:30.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We have about 15 candidates and 10 catechumens who are aiming for the Easter Vigil. All come to the front of the altar after the homily and are formally dismissed. We attend the 8:30am Mass, usually proceed to another large room in the parish building at about 9am, have B.O.W. to 9:45, refreshments and announcements between 9:45 to 10:15, then catechesis from 10:15 to 11:30. Sponsors stay for the entire 8:30 Mass and join us at 9:45 and are with us to 11:30.

All that sounds great except that the 15 should not be dismissed from Mass and should remain while the other 10 Catechumens gather for Bow. Then everyone joins them at 9:45.

 

[Jeff_Hale]

“All that sounds great except that the 15 should not be dismissed from Mass and should remain while the other 10 Catechumens gather for Bow. Then everyone joins them at 9:45.”

The baptized candidates then should not participate in BOW, only the unbaptized catechumens? Some of our baptized candidates have little or no experience with the Bible. Where would they gain more benefit, in BOW or the second half of Mass?

We’ve had a new pastor for about a year and a half and he’s bringing in his RCIA co-ordinator from his previous parish after the upcoming Easter Vigil. It’ll be interesting to see what changes we have. Maybe your statement above will be implemented.

 

[Andruschak]

All that sounds great except that the 15 should not be dismissed from Mass and should remain while the other 10 Catechumens gather for Bow. Then everyone joins them at 9:45.

Not in my RCIA Class. I , a Candidate, will be dismissed with the catechumans. Period.

 

[jmcrae]

“All that sounds great except that the 15 should not be dismissed from Mass and should remain while the other 10 Catechumens gather for Bow. Then everyone joins them at 9:45.”

The baptized candidates then should not participate in BOW, only the unbaptized catechumens? Some of our baptized candidates have little or no experience with the Bible. Where would they gain more benefit, in BOW or the second half of Mass?

As baptized Christians, they will receive the graces of the Sacrament simply by being present for it. Breaking Open the Word should not be a Bible class or a Catechism class - it is just a time to pray and reflect on the readings of the Mass with the unbaptized catechumens.

Catechism classes and Bible classes should take place outside of Mass time, and that’s when both the baptized and the unbaptized should gather together to learn stuff. BOW isn’t supposed to be a learning experience, though; it’s supposed to be a prayer/reflection experience.

We’ve had a new pastor for about a year and a half and he’s bringing in his RCIA co-ordinator from his previous parish after the upcoming Easter Vigil. It’ll be interesting to see what changes we have. Maybe your statement above will be implemented.

I will pray for them.

(By the way, we have the same problem in our parish, where BOW is being used as a Catechism/Bible class, and the candidates are also being required to go to that. We have a ways to go to get that fixed - I don’t know what will happen. I am only responsible for the RCIA Inquiry, and I think they are getting tired of me asking them when they are going to start having real Catechism classes. )