Typical RCIA?

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I’m a former protestant seminary student who, after years of study was called home. It’s been a long road for me (and my family), but I’m happy to have finally found where God wants me to be. However, here’s my question. Our priest wants us to go through RCIA. Especially since my wife never did seminary or anything like that. They were going to let me maybe slide through some of it, but I don’t want to have her going alone, so we’ve started attending the class.

However, the classes are becoming quite painful. The structure of the class is that we show up, we do a couple short prayers, and then the Sister who teaches the class starts lecturing for 90 minutes. We go through the Scripture readings for the next week (getting her interpretation on them), and then usually have an hour of our 90 minutes left for teaching time from the Catechism and another book that we’ve all been assigned to read each week.

The lady is a sweet lady, but I’m sorry, 90 minutes of lecture is just too much. We all have to fill out a form for the RIte of Acceptance in a week or so and it’s asking questions about what we’ve learned. Frankly, I don’t know that we’ve learned that much because we can’t remember any of it!

So my question is, is this how RCIA usually works? Is this the prescribed format? Can anyone share how their classes were structured?
 
I don’t know that any two parishes handle RCIA exactly the same way. In my parish we meet weekly for about an hour and a half. We read and discuss the gospel for the upcoming Sunday and then have a topic for the week. We have several team members so the presentation is led by different people each week. It’s usually a combination of lecture and discussion with LOTS of room for questions.
 
RCIA at my parish is, well, suspect. We meet for about an hour and a half on Wednesday night. The first half hour is spent eating, then we read the Gospel readings for the next Sunday Mass. Afterwards we discuss a topic for the week and we are supposed to have read the corresponding section in the “United States Catechism for Adults”. It is very short, and very uninformative so far. The teachers are lay members of the Church, I haven’t saw a Religious there yet, no Priest, no nothing. So far this Parish seems very liberal, and that makes me uncomfortable.

I’m no seminary student, but I have been studying the faith for about 3 years and come from a Baptist background. I’m hoping I can forego most of this madness.
 
jammer44 said:
I’m a former protestant seminary student who, after years of study was called home. It’s been a long road for me (and my family), but I’m happy to have finally found where God wants me to be. However, here’s my question. Our priest wants us to go through RCIA. Especially since my wife never did seminary or anything like that. They were going to let me maybe slide through some of it, but I don’t want to have her going alone, so we’ve started attending the class.

However, the classes are becoming quite painful. The structure of the class is that we show up, we do a couple short prayers, and then the Sister who teaches the class starts lecturing for 90 minutes. We go through the Scripture readings for the next week (getting her interpretation on them), and then usually have an hour of our 90 minutes left for teaching time from the Catechism and another book that we’ve all been assigned to read each week.

The lady is a sweet lady, but I’m sorry, 90 minutes of lecture is just too much. We all have to fill out a form for the RIte of Acceptance in a week or so and it’s asking questions about what we’ve learned. Frankly, I don’t know that we’ve learned that much because we can’t remember any of it!

So my question is, is this how RCIA usually works? Is this the prescribed format? Can anyone share how their classes were structured?
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Every Parish will have a slightly different formation, even if they use pre-packaged programs…

You need to remember that group programs like RCIA have to be welcoming for a huge cross section of huan beings - they will all be at various levels of Christian knowledge and spirituality. Some may have little or no religious experience, others like yourself will be highly steeped in scripoture and theological study. RCIA groups will have late teenagers to very elderly persons. Educational levels will range from no high school diplomas to doctorates…

Presentations that seem too simple for you may be a struggle of comprehension for others. The outside reading may be simple for you but challenging for those with less education nd experience. This type of setting is vastly different than the typical ‘classroom’ lesson experience.

Does that mean you should not attend? NO! You are a valuable participant…your role maybe less “book” learning for you but a period of spiritual growth…you can learn much from the simple faith of the average person. Personally, I have lerned some of the best Christian lessons from young children who could not even begin to explain the concept of “Trinity” but who are able to express simple the essence of ‘being’ Christian [Christ like and serving and loving others]. You may also contribute much to the grop discussions or be able to formulate the questions that others may want to ask but can’t find the words for…

I have worked with RCIA for over a decade…I learn and deepen my faith every year…not so much from the ‘information’ but from the process…

I will keep you and your wife in my prayers…

PS: We had a CPA who had considered a calling to the presbyterian clergy - attended seminary - but later pursued his business degrees…years later he entered the Catholic church and a few years later left the corporate world of investments and accounting behind…entered a catholic seminary and 5 years later was ordained a priest…he is a very good friend and a wonderful priest serving the people God…
 
We come in weekly, pray with a deacon, eat a snack or two, hear a short lecture with diagrams, go to small groups were we discuss the week’s topic for forty-five minutes, led by lay teachers, sometimes have a lecture from a priest, get reading materials and written prayers, gather again, snack more if there is any left, pray with the deacon and go. I haven’t had the rite of acceptance yet. I feel I am learning, but there’s a lot of material to read. And I’m a huge reader. I’m making friends there already.
 
I went through RCIA and converted from Evangelical Protestant in 2003 – thanks be to God! I “discovered” the Church through Catholic Radio, and that is what I held on to as I went through the year-long RCIA process. I saw RCIA as a trial that I had to go through to reach my goal of becoming Catholic. In the process I made many Catholic friends and I did learn a few things too…and I’d say, if nothing else, it helped me to get to know the priests and many of the faithful and hard-working volunteers in our parish. I now attend daily mass and LOVE the Church, and sponsor others who are going through the same RCIA classes (only now it can take up to 2 years!), and hope to help the program in some small way.
 
YADA: Thanks for the comments. I should say that it’s not the material that makes it hard, it’s the format. The thing that bugs me is that the material is so good (the Catechism) and so beautiful that is pains me to see it presented in such a dry way.
 
jammer44 said:
I’m a former protestant seminary student who, after years of study was called home. It’s been a long road for me (and my family), but I’m happy to have finally found where God wants me to be. However, here’s my question. Our priest wants us to go through RCIA. Especially since my wife never did seminary or anything like that. They were going to let me maybe slide through some of it, but I don’t want to have her going alone, so we’ve started attending the class.

However, the classes are becoming quite painful. The structure of the class is that we show up, we do a couple short prayers, and then the Sister who teaches the class starts lecturing for 90 minutes. We go through the Scripture readings for the next week (getting her interpretation on them), and then usually have an hour of our 90 minutes left for teaching time from the Catechism and another book that we’ve all been assigned to read each week.

The lady is a sweet lady, but I’m sorry, 90 minutes of lecture is just too much. We all have to fill out a form for the RIte of Acceptance in a week or so and it’s asking questions about what we’ve learned. Frankly, I don’t know that we’ve learned that much because we can’t remember any of it!

So my question is, is this how RCIA usually works? Is this the prescribed format? Can anyone share how their classes were structured?
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Torture and then testing? Sometimes!
You are not validly Baptized since you are going through the Rite of Acceptance, so it would not be unusual to ask that you complete RCIA. There are very good formats like we developed over several years of the same people leading the process. Many times the leaders change every year, so you never really build a good process. So you also have very poor formats also. I would speak with the pastor.
 
You are not validly Baptized since you are going through the Rite of Acceptance
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Actually we are validly baptized. Our director insists that everyone go through the same process.
 
Like others have said, it depends on the parish. Like another poster said, I looked at it as something I just had to go through to get to the goal - coming home to the Catholic Church and recieving the Eucharist. I know it can be a trial :rolleyes: ! The year I went through was rather lame, except for one or two lectures. (Luckily, I’m on the RCIA team this year and we have good lecturers now, ect. I figure we can always learn more about the richness of our Catholic faith.). Just keep your eye on the goal and don’t worry to much about the months ahead. And once you are Home, you can help with the RCIA team and hopefully make it better! (If it needs it that is!)
 
jammer44 said:
Actually we are validly baptized. Our director insists that everyone go through the same process.
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RCIA isn’t the only way into the Catholic Church, it’s just the most common these days, (even for Protestants who are already Christian, despite the name of the program.) As others mentioned, it’s handled differently from parish to parish. If it’s just the director insisting you go through the program, you could try talking to the pastor about your concerns. Sometimes pastors will accomodate with alternative methods of training if usual parish program doesn’t meet a persons’ schedule or style. (If you do that, you might offend some involved RCIA program and it might make some relationships at the parish awkward–just be forewarned.) Also consider that these painful RCIA classes *could *help you experience first-hand the very Catholic practice of “offering it up for the poor souls in Purgatory.” 😃
 
jammer44 said:
Actually we are validly baptized. Our director insists that everyone go through the same process.
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Then you will be part of the “Combined Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming” – Acceptance for the unbaptized and Welcoming for the Baptized.
 
jammer,

Please participate as fully as you possibly can during your RCIA sessions, bearing in mind that perhaps your RCIA leader is the only person in the parish who stepped forward to lead the participants. She’s probably doing the best that she can. Thank God for her and reinforce her efforts by witnessing to the faith when you can.
 
jammer44 said:
Actually we are validly baptized. Our director insists that everyone go through the same process.
Click to expand...
Then you cannot go through the Rite of Acceptance it does not apply to you if you are already Baptized. Make sure you have given them a copy of the documentation for your Baptism and refuse to participate in the Rite of Acceptance. Speak with the pastor if necessary and then the Bishop. The proper Rite for a Baptized Candidate is the Rite of Welcome which is different than the Rite of Acceptance.

That would be like insisting that someone take the Bar exam to be a doctor.
 
quiet52 said:
Then you will be part of the “Combined Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming” – Acceptance for the unbaptized and Welcoming for the Baptized.
Click to expand...
Just so everyone understands the “Combined Rites” are not a mixture of the Rites. But two distinct Rites, for two distinct groups, Candidates and then Catechumens, celebrated at the same liturgy. If this takes place at Mass, the Catechumens are then dismissed and the Candidates are Not.
 
jammer44 said:
I’m a former protestant seminary student who, after years of study was called home. It’s been a long road for me (and my family), but I’m happy to have finally found where God wants me to be. However, here’s my question. Our priest wants us to go through RCIA. Especially since my wife never did seminary or anything like that. They were going to let me maybe slide through some of it, but I don’t want to have her going alone, so we’ve started attending the class.

However, the classes are becoming quite painful. The structure of the class is that we show up, we do a couple short prayers, and then the Sister who teaches the class starts lecturing for 90 minutes. We go through the Scripture readings for the next week (getting her interpretation on them), and then usually have an hour of our 90 minutes left for teaching time from the Catechism and another book that we’ve all been assigned to read each week.

The lady is a sweet lady, but I’m sorry, 90 minutes of lecture is just too much. We all have to fill out a form for the RIte of Acceptance in a week or so and it’s asking questions about what we’ve learned. Frankly, I don’t know that we’ve learned that much because we can’t remember any of it!

So my question is, is this how RCIA usually works? Is this the prescribed format? Can anyone share how their classes were structured?
Click to expand...
Hi I can understand where you are, being a graduate of a Protestant seminary. RCIA probably differs in how it is ran from parish to parish. I would recommend doing some personal study on the side if your RCIA experience is not doing it for you.

The woman is probably trying, but my RCIA is far more interactive than what you describe. Our teacher engages us in discussion. Lecture is an efficient way to teach, but it can cause the students to be lost if the students are not engaged in discussion.

Are other students in your RCIA asking questions? I would recommend asking any questions you may have, they may lead to discussions among the group.

Even though I graduated from seminary and researched the Catholic faith on my own, I am finding RCIA to be very beneficial. It is filling the gaps where my knowledge of the Catholic faith is incomplete.

Send me a private message if you want to discuss your situation further with someone who might be able to understand where you are and what you are feeling.
 
Oh I know what you mean!

I am a Catholic from the cradle who has completed all my sacraments of initiation but I wanted to learn more about our faith so I signed up for …

Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults.

The class consists of an hour and a half of the “teacher” talking.

There is barely time for questions at the very end of class. The only reason I am still attending is I convinced,with the help of the Holy Spirit, my older sister to come back to the Catholic Church, she was “a born again Christian”, and I’m her ride:rolleyes: .

So I continue to educate myself. But for my sister the class is exactly what she needed:thumbsup:

I also convinced 8 others to attend, so I can’t stop showing up I said I would be there:blush:

I did ask a question about if Limbo was considered a capital “T” Tradition or a lowercase “t” tradition and is that why the pope said it is not the teaching of the Catholic Church officially.

The answer…

“What is Limbo?”:eek: The teacher for that class has only been a Catholic for four years. We get a different teacher every Monday depending on the topic.

Nope not a one time deal.

No treats either.
 
It’s encouraging to hear others talk about their frustrations with RCIA. It was one of the hardest things I ever did, and it is still difficult now as a volunteer being on the other side and not able to change things very much.

It’s a good lesson in how the Church is made up of all of us imperfect people (aka sinners) but we’re all doing the best we can to work towards perfection/holiness and help others along the way.

In that way, in addition to what you will learn about the Church, faith, why we do what we do, etc., you’ll also be learning about how we function and work together as a Body. One of the most fascinating aspects of being Catholic, which I find very different from being a Protestant, is the aspect of community, that God designed us to work best together, and to have patience with each other.

Hang in there, it is totally worth it, and the Church, the Eucharist, everything is too wonderful for words. Here I am, almost five years as a Catholic, and still nearly brought to tears at the mere thought of all the joy and beauty I have found. I will add that I will be eternally grateful to EWTN and Catholic Radio (and Catholic Answers!) for continually feeding me and teaching me the faith – I can never say thank you enough.

God bless you (and all of us) on the journey!

Mimi3
 
there is no typical RCIA, every parish does its best according to staff, paid and volunteer, resources, and the people it is serving. there is a template which is the Ritual book for the rites, there are several good resources for both the catechetical portion and the scriptural portion of the formation, but what the catechist chooses is up to them, within framework of diocesan guidelines (which are non-existent in many places).

with that, a couple of notes
OP states his pastor suggested he join the class
ultimately the pastor decides what is best for each individual and he may have very good pastoral reasons for deciding in this case the full year is necessary and beneficial
(Or not, maybe this parish, like mine, puts everyone in the same class and same track because there is no one to work with individual needs and individual situations, or because pastor lacks time or will to tailor the process to individual needs).

would like to ask OP to consider going the course for the simple reason his presence there will be so good for other members.

also bear in mind what we catechists must always remember, but candidates should also understand, that when (and to the extent that) the pastor, catechist, parish and candidates place their efforts under the direction of the Holy Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit who will speak through the catechist, sponsors and even the candidates as they participate. the Holy Spirit is guiding the candidate’s formation. Just as a bible with a tattered paper cover and dog-earned pages has the same content as a nice leather bound volume with gilt edges, the fragile, fallible catechist is simple the means the Holy Spirit uses to speak to the heart of the candidate. try to get past the human deficiencies and be always open to the action of the Holy Spirit and listen to the Word speak in your heart (as you have always done in your life, and the reason you are here asking the question).

Welcome Home!
 
I would be interested in hearing what people would LIKE from RCIA, especially the ones who feel they suffer/suffered through it in order to jump through the hoops to become Catholic.

From what I’m reading, some of the problems have to do with the particular individuals teaching – someone who drones on or isn’t knowledgeable about the subject. There isn’t much you can do about that since everyone is different and some teachers are better than others.

What else is good or bad? Besides the catechetical side of things, how is your program? In what ways is your spiritual side being nurtured? How are you being helped to turn toward God?

In what ways are you made to feel part of the parish community? To feel part of the Church in general?

Are there things in your program that you think are wonderful and everyone should adopt?
 
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