What should be taught in RCIA? We seem to omit a lot

[JCPhoenix]

If you can’t get a Catechism class going, the next best thing would be to do a mini-Catechesis at some point during each BOW, based on the Scripture readings of the day.

This is reasonably simple to do - just take the “key verse” that points to a doctrine, and mention or point out that this verse reminds us that - whatever it reminds us of.

For example, after reading this week’s Gospel reading you could mention to the participants that one of the titles of our Pope is “servant of the servants of God” and that this is because he is the successor of these same Apostles. This wouldn’t take very long to do, and would naturally generate the sort of questions that would allow you to lead them to a deeper understanding of Apostolic succession and the role of the Pope in the Church.

In your case, it may take some creativity, but it is definitely do-able, I think.

I am actually trying to do this. On my first scripture reflection I ended up talking about Adoration, the Blessed Sacrament, exposition/benediction, very briefly because I knew I had to explain the terms which were part of my example.

This WEd I’m doing next Sunday’s readings: I’m going to talk about confession and this time, give a personal testimony. As we haven’t really discussed confession yet…that topic comes up later, I’m going to have to define a few things; like “in personal Christi” and explain that we are meeting Jesus in the sacrament, and the prest is only acting in His behalf. We confess to Jesus, not to Man, and the priest is acting on Jesus’ authority.

The 2nd reading is about the order of Melchizadeck, so I’m trying to put together a simple (very) explanation, and one of our priests is going to speak in greater detail on Holy Orders–it relates to authority and I"l focus on that. An annointing. Still trying to figure that part out.

Although Confession will come up in detail later, I think it would help to provide a brief description to go with my example, which literaly parallels the Gospel (the blind man).

And yes, I’m finding I have to be creative in doing this, especially because I don’t know everything thus I have to study and try to fit all the puzzle pieces together.

 

[Andruschak]

It turns out my RCIA Catechuman Class finally did something useful. Yesterday we were given this 90 page booklet, but I didn’t get around to reading it until today

OUTLINES OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH, printed by The Leaflet Missal Company.

The first 65 pages are an excellent summery of the Church’s beliefs, The rest is devoted to common prayers.

Of course, being one of those RCIA Candidate’s who is an obnoxious know-it-all I didn’t learn anything new. But I will carry this booklet around to help answer questions on Faith and Doctrine that I am getting as more find out about my RCIA path.

Even better, all those prayers in the back are those I use, now in one handy booklet to carry around in my lunch bag

PLUS…pant…pant…THE NICENE CREED, which I will have to learn all over again for my Profession of Faith. I used to know all the creeds by heart back in my Lutheran Confirmation days (where I was an obnoxious know-it-all Lutheran Teenager)

There may be better booklets for the catechuman, but this will do for starters:thumbsup:

 

[jmcrae]

And yes, I’m finding I have to be creative in doing this, especially because I don’t know everything thus I have to study and try to fit all the puzzle pieces together.

Make frequent use of your Catechism.

Look up the topics in the index, and also, someone mentioned that Magnificat has Catechism references next to each day’s readings - if you can get hold of those, they will come in very handy for you.

Also, if you plan to teach them the Latin terms, make sure you know how to spell them, how to pronounce them, and what they mean - otherwise, stick with English.

 

[puzzleannie]

I wish each RCIA program would based their lesson plans on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Each attendee should be provided their personal copy for home study and lesson reviews. It is a large book, however, most RCIA classes start in September and end in May or June. A good lesson plan would provide the means to cover the most important material in this time frame, God Bless

the US Bishops have mandated that all catechetical materials be based on the catechism, and all those that are approved are so based, including some of the popular ones mentioned here. The CCC itself is not, however, a textbook, and just handing someone a catechism is not catechesis.

RCIA (when I speak of it I mean the entire process of preparing an unbaptized adult or child over age 7 for full initiation into the Catholic Church) is also more than catechesis and more than a class. Sept. to May is not adequate. It must take at least one full calendar year, from right after Easter to Easter of the following year, plus the mystagogy period (at minimum, until Pentecost).

RCIA is a process of conversion, formation, evangelization and catechesis. The evangelization part, immersion in the Gospel, is Breaking open the Word. This has 3 parts, proclamation (they hear it at Mass before they are dismissed and hear it again read slowly in class). Teaching–the homily and an extended teaching in the class. Reflection and applying the Word to daily life–this may include journalling, guided meditation, or faith-sharing. This part is supposed to cover one entire liturgical year. If you miss all Summer you miss the essential post-Resurrection Gospels and half the lectionary cycle. Lectionary-based catechesis is inadequate if it is not year-round.

The catechesis part is formal systematic instruction on Catholic doctrine and practice, using approved materials based on the CCC. The purpose is not to get an MA in theology, the purpose is to understand the elements of the Creed in order to make an informed profession of faith, and to understand the sacramental economy of the Church, the Moral law and the commitments a new Catholic is making and the disciplines under which they will agree to bind themselves. This must be systematic but the class schedule of topics can be determined in two ways: following the CCC structure, and there are many good reasources for this:
ACM (Assoc of Catechumenal Ministry) guides are the gold standard, and besides leader’s and director’s guides, include a catechumen resource packet of “handouts” that is reproducible so over time is the most cost-effective.
Our Sunday Visitor has catechisms for teens and adults that are very good, so does Liguori and so do other reliable publishers.
The Journey of Faith handouts from Liguori and their other materials are quite good. There are others. Each of these publishers has leader’s guides to make sure catechesis is systematic and complete. Making Disciples from OSV is excellent on “what do we have to teach”.

Or the catechesis can be lectionary-based, that is, the topic for the catechetical portion can be based on the Sunday readings. Each of these publishers has a resource that lists the various CCC topics that relate to each reading. It is harder to make sure all the bases are covered this way, but it can be done. The danger is always using a given reading to teach the same topic, then some topics may be missed all together if the leader is not checking against a systematic catechist guide.

 

[puzzleannie]

post was too long, surprise surprise, but my golden words continue on this post, thank you for your patience boys and girls.

What is often neglected in RCIA is the initial inquiry period or pre-evangelization, which is a time of free-er discussion and Q&A, and in which a knowledgeable catechist is required, because a lot of mis-information and downright error is transmatted in this time (we on the forums are not blameless here). The other period often neglected is mystagogy, the period after Baptism and the other sacraments when the neophytes are lead to a deeper reflection upon and understanding of the Resurrection and of the relation of the sacraments they have just received to participation in Christ’s sacrifice and mission.

The formation part of RCIA is “how to be Catholic” and that is where sponsors come in, to help the candidates feel welcome into the community and become part of parish life. This includes service, prayers and devotions, understanding and participation in the Mass, and application of Catholic teaching to real life situations and circumstances.

Conversion is directed by the Holy Spirit. Everyone there is present because of some initial prompting of the Spirit, and all involved in RCIA ought to make it their first concern not to squash the movement of the Spirit within that person. This is where pastoral guidance throughout the process is so essential. The pastor must be involved, as no lay director or catechist is competent to advise on pastoral situations such as marriage and other lifestyle issues that must be addressed, effect of the individual’s conversion upon his family, persistent attachment to sin etc.

RCIA takes as long as it takes, and each individual is different.
Each member of the RCIA team should know their role, why they are there, and avoid the huge temptation to substitute their personal experience and opinions for catechesis.

Each person on the RCIA team should have a copy of the RCIA ritual book, read and study it, preferably with the guidance of a formal course offered by the diocese, the North American Forum on the Catechumenate (their instruction on the actual rites is excellent, some of their instructors are fuzzy on catechesis, some are great), or again, the best is a course by ACM. Liturgical Training publications at www.ltp.org is the source for the Ritual book, the link to ACM and the distributor of their materials, and other excellent RCIA resources. the team should be studying and working together, not a bunch of lone wolves each doing their own thing.

 

[puzzleannie]

One more thought, then I will shut up. I have urged several times before on this forum that number one all those who have complaints about RCIA, especially those precious ones who have entered the Church through that process, become active on the RCIA team of your parish.

Second, that the first year you participate as a sponsor and go with the flow through one entire liturgical cycle before you become a full-fledged catechist. Learn from the Rites themselves.

One thing the North American Forum is so good on, and this will be their saving grace, is the that liturgical rites reflect what the Church believes. That is true of all liturgy especially the Mass of course and of RCIA. Learn from the rites themselves, which oddly enough, many of us catechists and other team members tend to gloss over or ignore entirely. Become immersed in the rites for which the candidates are preparing. For the last several weeks that has been the Rite of Acceptance. the more you study the words and actions of the Rites, the more you realize what the candidates need (and what they do not need at this point).

I left out the most important part, related to my last sentence. Each candidate approaches this process from a different point, and their needs are not identical either in catechesis, formation, conversion or pastoral. an effort to cram everyone into a one-size-fits-all Sept-May, do the rights, put your quarter in the machine and get your sacraments will fail. There must be a companioning, and the sponsor is essential for this, which is why the boyfriend, spouse or fiance is not generally the best person, this should be someone from the parish community to draw them into the community. there must also be continual access to pastoral care from the priest. third, if the neophytes are not cared for after Baptism through at least a year of further instruction and participation in parish life, they will very likely be lost, and may even leave the Church within 5 years.

 

[Orionthehunter]

. . . .
I left out the most important part, related to my last sentence. Each candidate approaches this process from a different point, and their needs are not identical either in catechesis, formation, conversion or pastoral. an effort to cram everyone into a one-size-fits-all Sept-May, do the rights, put your quarter in the machine and get your sacraments will fail. There must be a companioning, and the sponsor is essential for this, which is why the boyfriend, spouse or fiance is not generally the best person, this should be someone from the parish community to draw them into the community. there must also be continual access to pastoral care from the priest. third, if the neophytes are not cared for after Baptism through at least a year of further instruction and participation in parish life, they will very likely be lost, and may even leave the Church within 5 years.

I hope everyone will read all three concurrent posts by Puzzle. As one who has been on an RCIA team for five years, there is so much wisdom in the post that it has to have been inspired .

I wish I could have said it all as well as she did but I’d like to reinforce the point that is made above. The challenge of making the class meet the needs of all the candidates is a very difficult juggling act for most parishes. Our Priests are so over-loaded with responsibilities (funerals, weddings, visiting the sick and homebound, preparing families for baptisms, work with children and teens preparing for their first sacraments) that by necessity adult education/RCIA often falls to the non-ordained (volunteer laity or paid religious ed directors). Because of our limited training, we lack the experience of knowing how best to customize a program to meet the different needs of different candidates/catechumens. In the years I was involved, we had some years where the predominance of the class was basically unchurched while other years it was predominantly converts with a great deal of past religious education and experience. Not only was it a challenge to adjust the class to meet the needs of the majority but it was an equal challenge to meet the needs of the minority. Did we do a perfect job? Never. But because our hearts were in the right place, I believe that everyone understood that we did the best we could.

And to the point of puzzle’s post above, the sponsor’s were so vital in providing some one-on-one mentoring that augmented the shortcomings in our program. To this day, every sponsor who assisted us has a special place in my heart. And while we invited the significant other to be present through RCIA, it was the sponsors who we had selected because of their knowledge of the process that were the most critical in filling in the gaps. The significant other provided the emotional support but the catechetical and other support was best and effectively filled by the Parish selected sponsors.

 

[CRW]

the US Bishops have mandated that all catechetical materials be based on the catechism, and all those that are approved are so based, including some of the popular ones mentioned here. The CCC itself is not, however, a textbook, and just handing someone a catechism is not catechesis.

RCIA (when I speak of it I mean the entire process of preparing an unbaptized adult or child over age 7 for full initiation into the Catholic Church) is also more than catechesis and more than a class. Sept. to May is not adequate. It must take at least one full calendar year, from right after Easter to Easter of the following year, plus the mystagogy period (at minimum, until Pentecost).

RCIA is a process of conversion, formation, evangelization and catechesis. The evangelization part, immersion in the Gospel, is Breaking open the Word. This has 3 parts, proclamation (they hear it at Mass before they are dismissed and hear it again read slowly in class). Teaching–the homily and an extended teaching in the class. Reflection and applying the Word to daily life–this may include journalling, guided meditation, or faith-sharing. This part is supposed to cover one entire liturgical year. If you miss all Summer you miss the essential post-Resurrection Gospels and half the lectionary cycle. Lectionary-based catechesis is inadequate if it is not year-round.

The catechesis part is formal systematic instruction on Catholic doctrine and practice, using approved materials based on the CCC. The purpose is not to get an MA in theology, the purpose is to understand the elements of the Creed in order to make an informed profession of faith, and to understand the sacramental economy of the Church, the Moral law and the commitments a new Catholic is making and the disciplines under which they will agree to bind themselves. This must be systematic but the class schedule of topics can be determined in two ways: following the CCC structure, and there are many good reasources for this:
ACM (Assoc of Catechumenal Ministry) guides are the gold standard, and besides leader’s and director’s guides, include a catechumen resource packet of “handouts” that is reproducible so over time is the most cost-effective.
Our Sunday Visitor has catechisms for teens and adults that are very good, so does Liguori and so do other reliable publishers.
The Journey of Faith handouts from Liguori and their other materials are quite good. There are others. Each of these publishers has leader’s guides to make sure catechesis is systematic and complete. Making Disciples from OSV is excellent on “what do we have to teach”.

Or the catechesis can be lectionary-based, that is, the topic for the catechetical portion can be based on the Sunday readings. Each of these publishers has a resource that lists the various CCC topics that relate to each reading. It is harder to make sure all the bases are covered this way, but it can be done. The danger is always using a given reading to teach the same topic, then some topics may be missed all together if the leader is not checking against a systematic catechist guide.

I agree that for those 7 to 14 years old the class should be different. Our church separate them and has a different class for the adults. I spent a lot of time asking questions of those that have completed the class. They could not answer the most simple (important) questions about confession, mortal sin, moral issues, the Pope, Bishop and Priest roles. Holy Days of Obiligation, fasting, divorce, marrying outside of the church and so on. I actually attended a class as a sponsor and could not believe the process and material that was use to teach the class. The material was also approved for the RCIA. As students must pass test to gain position in life, I think that the RCIA should also require test to show progress of the candidates. IMHO. Are we not teaching them to become Catholic, the Catholic teachings, norms, and beliefs. Bible study is a life long process and has it time in personal development. Do we not learn something different each time we read the bible or hear a homily concerning the gospel? What I like about the CCC is that it has a great outline and many Bible references to refer you to the teaching of the church. We are now entering a period in our Church for the Alpha study, ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/alpha2.htm one which has been report as not Catholic in it’s teachings. Always a new toy to play with. Reading the post on Catholic Answers proves to me that we need a better education of all Catholics.

 

[Chris-WA]

the US Bishops have mandated that all catechetical materials be based on the catechism, and all those that are approved are so based, including some of the popular ones mentioned here. The CCC itself is not, however, a textbook, and just handing someone a catechism is not catechesis.

RCIA (when I speak of it I mean the entire process of preparing an unbaptized adult or child over age 7 for full initiation into the Catholic Church) is also more than catechesis and more than a class. Sept. to May is not adequate. It must take at least one full calendar year, from right after Easter to Easter of the following year, plus the mystagogy period (at minimum, until Pentecost).

RCIA is a process of conversion, formation, evangelization and catechesis. The evangelization part, immersion in the Gospel, is Breaking open the Word. This has 3 parts, proclamation (they hear it at Mass before they are dismissed and hear it again read slowly in class). Teaching–the homily and an extended teaching in the class. Reflection and applying the Word to daily life–this may include journalling, guided meditation, or faith-sharing. This part is supposed to cover one entire liturgical year. If you miss all Summer you miss the essential post-Resurrection Gospels and half the lectionary cycle. Lectionary-based catechesis is inadequate if it is not year-round.

The catechesis part is formal systematic instruction on Catholic doctrine and practice, using approved materials based on the CCC. The purpose is not to get an MA in theology, the purpose is to understand the elements of the Creed in order to make an informed profession of faith, and to understand the sacramental economy of the Church, the Moral law and the commitments a new Catholic is making and the disciplines under which they will agree to bind themselves. This must be systematic but the class schedule of topics can be determined in two ways: following the CCC structure, and there are many good reasources for this:
ACM (Assoc of Catechumenal Ministry) guides are the gold standard, and besides leader’s and director’s guides, include a catechumen resource packet of “handouts” that is reproducible so over time is the most cost-effective.
Our Sunday Visitor has catechisms for teens and adults that are very good, so does Liguori and so do other reliable publishers.
The Journey of Faith handouts from Liguori and their other materials are quite good. There are others. Each of these publishers has leader’s guides to make sure catechesis is systematic and complete. Making Disciples from OSV is excellent on “what do we have to teach”.

Good posts, puzzleannie. Great overview of the RCIA process, and how it’s supposed to work. Unfortunately, I fear that many parishes are failing miserably at providing this comprehensive program. Too often we hear horror stories of how bad RCIA programs are. I think it comes down to a sad lack of standardization across the church. There is way too much leeway afforded, which allows terrible catechesis, and sometimes outright heresy. There shouldn’t be multiple RCIA programs to choose from. There should be one single program created by the Magisterium and endorsed by the pope, translated into each language. Though the materials are supposed to be approved by the local bishop, I dare say that often this is not the case because we’ve all read the horror stories that go on at RCIA programs here and there. There is a tremendous lack of oversight by the Magisterium on this matter. The catechesis is often so poor that all we are creating are more lukewarm Catholics. We don’t need any more of those, we have too many already.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again–how can you possibly love what you do not know? The more you learn about the church, the more you are absorbed into the depths of its beauty. There is far too much nonsense going on out there. I know I saw it when I was a sponsor in our RCIA program 2 years ago. I used to bring my copy of the Catechism and bring up things when the class was clearly going astray in one direction or another. I received a phone call from the RCIA leader to stop doing that. They didn’t want to hear authentic Catholic teaching. They only wanted to share their own opinions about each issue, and it was often left at that. Muddy waters. Unclear teaching. Relativism. Terrible catechesis. This is the prescription for more lukewarm Catholics who are easy prey for missionaries from other churches that actually take the time to explain the teachings of their faith. We suffer by comparison to the point where a lot more leave us than join us. We need to stop the nonsense and get back to the nuts and bolts of teaching Catholicism to Catholics and prospective Catholics.

 

[asquared]

Good posts, puzzleannie. Great overview of the RCIA process, There shouldn’t be multiple RCIA programs to choose from. There should be one single program created by the Magisterium and endorsed by the pope, translated into each language. Though the materials are supposed to be approved by the.

The CCC directs national bishops’ conferences to create catechisms for each country, which our bishops have just published, but I stand by what I said, a catechism alone is not an RCIA program, and there is no one-size-fits-all program.

We do have one single program it is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults which has been given to us by the magesterium. As well as the rites, it specifies how catechesis is to be done. Each national bishops conference has adapted the rites for use in its country.

Each Bishop is in charge in his own diocese. As with every other aspect of church discipline, some pastors, DREs and others charged with this responsibility obey,a and some do not, but I can assure you, 95 % of those involved in RCIA, and most of them are volunteers, are doing their best and are following the directives they have received to the best of their ability, by their lights. With very few exceptions, no one is actively out to submarine the process.

Horror stories also are not reality. If you don’t like the way RCIA is done in your parish and you are doing nothing to help, I really don’t see what you have to complain about.

 

[Orionthehunter]

From Chris WA: Unfortunately, I fear that many parishes are failing miserably at providing this comprehensive program. Too often we hear horror stories of how bad RCIA programs are.

And many are doing just fine. In fact, if you were to do a study of converts vs. cradle Catholics, my suspicion is that the greater problem is not with the converts who go thru RCIA.

From Chris WA: I think it comes down to a sad lack of standardization across the church. There is way too much leeway afforded, which allows terrible catechesis, and sometimes outright heresy. There shouldn’t be multiple RCIA programs to choose from. There should be one single program created by the Magisterium and endorsed by the pope, translated into each language.

This is not Catholic. Bishops and his designees are responsible for teaching in the dioceses. From the Catechism:

888: Bishops, with priests as co-workers, have as their first task “to preach the Gospel of God to all men,” in keeping with the Lord’s command. They are “heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic teachers” of the apostolic faith “endowed with the authority of Christ.”

More importantly, I refer you back to my earlier posts. A program designed exclusively for those who are well-churched in another faith tradition have very different needs than one who is basically unchurched. Then you have the issue of a class that is predominent from a “Bible-only” tradition requires different methods than those from a liturgical tradition (ie. Lutheran or Episcopal). I can’t even imagine the customization required for an RCIA program in Africa where they are converting from a Pagan or Muslim tradition. It takes great effort on the part of the Pastor, religious ed. director, and RCIA team to adapt the program to best meet the needs of the class. To require a one-size fits all across cultures is ludicrous.

From Chris WA: I’ve said it before and I will say it again–how can you possibly love what you do not know? The more you learn about the church, the more you are absorbed into the depths of its beauty.

I agree. But anyone and I mean anyone who thinks that there is any person who can grasp the fullness of the Church during the less than 100 hours of RCIA instruction is dreaming. I was like you when I first joined the RCIA team. I wanted to push as much catechesis as possible into the sessions. But my Pastor was insistent. Our goal is to first evangelize so that the Holy Spirit will be able to break through and create a hunger for the Eucharist and a desire to live a Catholic life. If we succeed in that, they will take it upon themselves to learn the rest. We need to keep in our mind that we aren’t OSAS Protestants where it is about a particular moment of time or attaining a certain defined level of knowledge or Holiness. Our lives are journey’s. It is a life full of conversions, steps back, learning, and growing in Christ. It is the end of the race that is important.

From Chris WA: There is far too much nonsense going on out there. I know I saw it when I was a sponsor in our RCIA program 2 years ago. I used to bring my copy of the Catechism and bring up things when the class was clearly going astray in one direction or another. I received a phone call from the RCIA leader to stop doing that.

On more than one occassion our Pastor had to call sponsors and remind them that the class wasn’t about them or what they thought was important. It was about the candidates and it was he (the Pastor) who was ordained to teach.

 

[here_i_stand]

puzzleannie and orion - Thank you for describing how beautiful RCIA is supposed to be. That is what i was expecting when entering the program this year. I am one of the unfortunate ones who is in a class with very uninformed leaders. I don’t mind going back to the basics - that is what I was expecting, but we’re not even doing that. (see post on non-catholic religions forum)

 

[Orionthehunter]

puzzleannie and orion - Thank you for describing how beautiful RCIA is supposed to be. That is what i was expecting when entering the program this year. I am one of the unfortunate ones who is in a class with very uninformed leaders. I don’t mind going back to the basics - that is what I was expecting, but we’re not even doing that. (see post on non-catholic religions forum)

While it saddens me that this is your introduction to the Chruch, what a wonderful opportunity you have before you. You offer up this to God to add your cross to that of Christ, you can take it upon yourself to do self-study, and ultimately, you can get involved in the future to be an instrument of change.

I shudder to think how our class might have been a few years ago when our Pastor went on Sabbatical and we were left to teach RCIA up until Advent if it had been our first year. Give your teachers the benefit of the doubt, pray for them, look for opportunities to charitably give them feedback, talk to your Pastor, form a prayer/study group that involves your classmates, etc.

I just read your post. That my friend in Christ is appalling. But still give them the benefit of the doubt. Their faulty teaching may be more out of ignorance than agenda. Talk to the Pastor. If you can, find another RCIA class at another parish (this is the first time I’ve ever recommended this. For those who are Catholic who don’t like what is going on in their parish, I believe we need to stay and pray vs. run and hide). But if these aren’t an option, find a good curriculum on the internet, find a good study mentor to work thru it with you (not your boyfriend), attend your classes as a penitential act of charity and obedience, and learn what you can as you travel on your journey. God Bless you.

 

[Chris-WA]

In fact, if you were to do a study of converts vs. cradle Catholics, my suspicion is that the greater problem is not with the converts who go thru RCIA.

Oh, I agree that cradle Catholics are in worse shape than those coming into the church through RCIA. But that’s really more a case of extremely poor catechesis of cradle Catholics than a blazing endorsement of the effectivness of RCIA. Look, I have no problem with the way RCIA is supposed to work. That’s not the problem. The problem is the execution. Basic catechesis has to be a very crucial leg of the overall program, and this is where we as a church are failing. I don’t doubt the sincerity or commitment of RCIA sponsors, but there is way too much variability in overall quality, precisely because the standards are not clear and enforced church-wide. I believe this can only come from the Magisterium. There are certain basics that apply to the whole universal Catholic Church, as contained in the Catechism.

This is not Catholic. Bishops and his designees are responsible for teaching in the dioceses. From the Catechism:

888: Bishops, with priests as co-workers, have as their first task “to preach the Gospel of God to all men,” in keeping with the Lord’s command. They are “heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic teachers” of the apostolic faith “endowed with the authority of Christ.”

Actually what I said is very Catholic. Yes, the bishops are responsible for passing on the teachings of the church in their own dioceses. But that doesn’t mean each one can decide what to include and what to omit. Each diocese isn’t its own church. The bishops transmit the teachings of the church–all the teachings. So it makes sense that there could be a world-wide syllabus that ensures the minimums are covered. Of course each bishop can taylor the program to their own diocese, but not at the expense of dropping basic truths about the faith. Today, even within a single diocese, the quality of catechesis varies greatly from parish to parish. I believe that’s because standards are not clearly set, communicated, and most importantly, enforced. What you get primarily depends upon the personal interests of the local parish RCIA coordinator, and ultimately luck decides whether or not you get a good one. At least with a worldwide syllabus we could ensure the bare minimum essentials were being taught to candidates and catechumens.

I agree. But anyone and I mean anyone who thinks that there is any person who can grasp the fullness of the Church during the less than 100 hours of RCIA instruction is dreaming. I was like you when I first joined the RCIA team. I wanted to push as much catechesis as possible into the sessions. But my Pastor was insistent. Our goal is to first evangelize so that the Holy Spirit will be able to break through and create a hunger for the Eucharist and a desire to live a Catholic life. If we succeed in that, they will take it upon themselves to learn the rest. We need to keep in our mind that we aren’t OSAS Protestants where it is about a particular moment of time or attaining a certain defined level of knowledge or Holiness. Our lives are journey’s. It is a life full of conversions, steps back, learning, and growing in Christ. It is the end of the race that is important.

I think you are misunderstanding what I’m trying to get across. Your paragraph above makes perfect sense to me. I’m not saying that we need to teach masters-level theology. What I’m saying is that the bar is currently so low on the catechesis side that far too many finish RCIA without a basic solid foundation to live as a Catholic should.

On more than one occassion our Pastor had to call sponsors and remind them that the class wasn’t about them or what they thought was important. It was about the candidates and it was he (the Pastor) who was ordained to teach.

You’re lucky. I don’t think our pastor teaches RCIA. It’s left up to volunteer laypeople who may or may not have their own personal agenda as to what should be taught. This is the breakdown in the system. This is what I want to see changed. That’s why I think we need more direction from Rome, so we can narrow the gate of opportunity for omission and in the worst cases–heresy being passed on as doctrine.

 

[here_i_stand]

While it saddens me that this is your introduction to the Chruch, what a wonderful opportunity you have before you. You offer up this to God to add your cross to that of Christ, you can take it upon yourself to do self-study, and ultimately, you can get involved in the future to be an instrument of change.

I shudder to think how our class might have been a few years ago when our Pastor went on Sabbatical and we were left to teach RCIA up until Advent if it had been our first year. Give your teachers the benefit of the doubt, pray for them, look for opportunities to charitably give them feedback, talk to your Pastor, form a prayer/study group that involves your classmates, etc.

I just read your post. That my friend in Christ is appalling. But still give them the benefit of the doubt. Their faulty teaching may be more out of ignorance than agenda. Talk to the Pastor. If you can, find another RCIA class at another parish (this is the first time I’ve ever recommended this. For those who are Catholic who don’t like what is going on in their parish, I believe we need to stay and pray vs. run and hide). But if these aren’t an option, find a good curriculum on the internet, find a good study mentor to work thru it with you (not your boyfriend), attend your classes as a penitential act of charity and obedience, and learn what you can as you travel on your journey. God Bless you.

Thank you … I will definitely take your words to heart. God bless you too!

 

[mgrobertson79]

I went through RCIA in 2005. I do not feel like I was taught the faith, but bits and pieces. At one time evolution was taught as if it were proven fact. I am now seeking private instruction for a Priest to learn the faith. I know some parishes have a wonderful program and then others leave a bit to be desired.

 

[rwoehmke]

There are two things that are supposed to be happening during the Catechesis period: first is the Breaking Open the Word, which is what it sounds like you guys are doing. Then, separately, there should also be a Catechism class - yes, in the ideal they would be coming for RCIA twice a week; once for BOW and once for Catechism.

There are several resources available; my favourite is the Liguouri pamphlet series. They have four sets; one for each Period of the RCIA.

We have RCIA on Sunday after the 9 AM Mass. Because of the numbers we combine catachumens and candidates The Process Steps are different but the BOW and Catachesis are the same. Sponsors are picked or assigned by the 2nd or 3rd class and are expected to be there with their sponsoree the majority of the sessions. A session lasts a little over two hours. BOW takes about 45 minutes and teaching using the Ligouri series above follows after a five minute break. Coffee, Rolls and juice are available most Sundays thanks to parish groups who sponsor after Mass donut social time. In addition to Ligouri supplemental material in the form of tapes and handouts are also included. In the period of time between September and Easter we can cover the basics to the extent that everyone has a decent grasp of what it is and means to be a Catholic. Unless a person has that basic knowledge it would be not only unfair, but negligent to bring them into the Church. The theology isn’t deep but it is wide. We try to help them understand that when they accept and profess all that the Catholic Church teaches it is an act of Faith because no one individual can know it all before hand, not even a theologian or even the Pope ( I don’t tell them that.) Sounds like these folks are being made Catholics under false pretenses.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

I went through RCIA in 2005. I do not feel like I was taught the faith, but bits and pieces. At one time evolution was taught as if it were proven fact. I am now seeking private instruction for a Priest to learn the faith. I know some parishes have a wonderful program and then others leave a bit to be desired.

Just fyi
It will be great if you get time with a priest. The priest will tell you the base for RCIA is scripture, tradition, and the Balitmore Cathecism. You can pursue all with or without the priest. As all can be overwhelming, which is why RCIA can not completely cover all. I would recommend either using the index of the cathecism as an outline for discussion with the priest OR buy a starts guide as “RCIA for Dummies” or “This is Our Faith (old red version 1988)” there are thousands of these. Another important issue is RCIA is simply a beginning and is never considered a completed process.

 

[LeahInancsi]

A lot is omitted because time is so limited.

My big gripe a year out of RCIA is the need for continuted religious adult education. To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t exist. Just make sure you turn that tithe envelope in every Sunday and use the one you’re mailed. Not the one in the pew.

 

[jmcrae]

A lot is omitted because time is so limited.

My big gripe a year out of RCIA is the need for continued religious adult education. To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t exist.

Have you checked out local monasteries, convents, and Catholic colleges for adult education programs? Many parishes also have adult Bible study programs as well - you are not required to only go to programs at your own parish, and if there is something going on at a neighboring parish, they would certainly welcome you.

You can also try the Catholic Women’s League, which puts on educational programs for its membership from time to time.

Just make sure you turn that tithe envelope in every Sunday and use the one you’re mailed. Not the one in the pew.