What they don't tell us in RCIA

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mj01313

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Hello all! If you were starting RCIA what questions would you ask? There are times that I don’t know what questions to ask – for example – what happens if you have to work on a Sunday and are unable to make it to Mass? Can you all give me a list of the questions you asked when starting RCIA or wish that you had asked?
Thanks!!
Melody
 
Well…I am a former convert that had the advantage of being educated in Catholic schools…so I already knew most of the Doctrine of the Catholic Church…I just was never confirmed with my senior class…I sought confirmation a few years later and went through RCIA…a wonderful program.

As far as any questions…I would reccomend purchasing a copy of the Cathecism of the Catholic Church…it will answer any and all questions you may have…but some sample questions could be:

WOuld you please explain the “True Presence” to me?

What are the 7 Sacraments? What are the initiation sacraments? etc.

What is purgatory?

What is genuflecting?

What is the Nicene Creed?

Why must we confess our sins to a Priest?

What is the Catholic view on Salvation?

Must we live the Beatitudes to make it to heaven?

What is Apostolic Succession?

What is Papal Infallibility?

Do Catholics believe in the Rapture?

I can give you more if you would like…but reference your CCC…it is a wealth of knowledge.
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mj01313:
Hello all! If you were starting RCIA what questions would you ask? There are times that I don’t know what questions to ask – for example – what happens if you have to work on a Sunday and are unable to make it to Mass? Can you all give me a list of the questions you asked when starting RCIA or wish that you had asked?
Thanks!!
Melody
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Great Minds - I got a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church today - any suggestions as where to start - other than at the beginning? I wrote down your questions and plan on looking them up tonight. It sounds like our weather will be nasty for the next couple of days and I will truly have time to read a “GOOD BOOK”.

Thank you for your fast response. Another question - do they have instant messaging chats?
Melody
 
Send me an email to hclerk@yahoo.com I will be more than willing to further assist you…Catholicism is my passion…I love it. I have more questions you can use. Just email me. Also…I suggest reading the CCC from beginning to end…eventually. At first…what I would do if I were you would be to brainstorm and come up with topics of interest and go to the index in the back and find the corresponding paragraph and see what it has to say…the CCC is great…I can also give you a list of good books to read for new Catholics if you send me an email…I look forward to hearing from you. Godspeed on your journey.
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mj01313:
Great Minds - I got a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church today - any suggestions as where to start - other than at the beginning? I wrote down your questions and plan on looking them up tonight. It sounds like our weather will be nasty for the next couple of days and I will truly have time to read a “GOOD BOOK”.

Thank you for your fast response. Another question - do they have instant messaging chats?
Melody
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There are several things that bug me about some of the posts in this forum that are focused on the RCIA. Before getting into that however I would have to say Bravo! to the recommendation to purchase a CCC.

It seems that some teachers/leaders bring in bits of advanced or speculative theology that are not at all appropriate in my opinion for RCIA. Our program covers all that DumSpiro mentioned above and much more. The much more sticks pretty close to the basics and in my opinion gives a better overview of the Faith than some of our kids get in 10 years of RFP. It also bothers me that some seem to have the attitude that RCIA should cover all aspects of the Faith in an exhaustive manner. Over forty years ago I had spent 16 years in Catholic Schools and College and in the years since have still come no where near to even scratching the depths of what is out there to read and study about the Catholic Faith. If our candidates had to learn much more it would take them many years before they would be allowed to join us fully in the Faith. Sadly I believe that many Catholics feel that the minimum is all they need and never ever confront the riches available to them in Our Faith. 🙂 🙂
 
Amen to that rwoehmke…I am involved in RCIA at my Parish and I often find myself upset with some of the things the team member say, such as “women in the priesthood will be allowed eventually”, etc…I quickly counter with quotes from The Holy Father and then I talk to that person in private after the session…too many times people get caught up trying to teach people personal beliefs instead of doctrine and dogma…and when they do that…they are doing the candidates a disservice.

The point of RCIA is to cover all of the major Theological and Doctrinal beliefs…if a candidate accepts those beliefs whole heartedly…then let them be confirmed…beyond confirmation is CLE (Continued Learning Education)…and it is a continual path with no end…we can read and study for the rest of our lives, but we will never know it all.
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rwoehmke:
There are several things that bug me about some of the posts in this forum that are focused on the RCIA. Before getting into that however I would have to say Bravo! to the recommendation to purchase a CCC.

It seems that some teachers/leaders bring in bits of advanced or speculative theology that are not at all appropriate in my opinion for RCIA. Our program covers all that DumSpiro mentioned above and much more. The much more sticks pretty close to the basics and in my opinion gives a better overview of the Faith than some of our kids get in 10 years of RFP. It also bothers me that some seem to have the attitude that RCIA should cover all aspects of the Faith in an exhaustive manner. Over forty years ago I had spent 16 years in Catholic Schools and College and in the years since have still come no where near to even scratching the depths of what is out there to read and study about the Catholic Faith. If our candidates had to learn much more it would take them many years before they would be allowed to join us fully in the Faith. Sadly I believe that many Catholics feel that the minimum is all they need and never ever confront the riches available to them in Our Faith. 🙂 🙂
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I am currently in the RCIA program here. I have had nothing but a great experiance in it. When I have questions and am patient they always get answered. If I do have questions that aren’t addressed I can always ask my sponser who will offer up an answer or if he doesn’t know he will find out for me. I can also ask a priest in our parish, everyone is very supportive of our RCIA program. I also study on my own. One of the first things I did do was get a copy of the CCC. It has helped immeasurably. Best wishes to you on your RCIA journey, my prayers are with you.
 
I don’t want anyone to think that I am trying to fast track RCIA. I am just looking for info and thought that others that had been in my place would have info that would benefit my search.
Melody
 
Here’s one I asked back in my RCIA in 1998.

On one evening we had a guest speaker who taught us about our “conscience formation”. We received a handout by “Catholic Update” entitled ‘Your conscience and church teaching: how do they fit together?’ We also received a one page typed paper called, “Conscience Formation”. It had no author, citation, nothing.

The Catechism was not used, let alone mentioned.

When she was done I was dumbfounded. She said nothing about abortion.

Unable to hold it in, I blurted, “What about abortion? Doesn’t the Church teach it’s wrong?”

Her answer was a dodge. She replied that we still follow the steps outlined in “Conscience Formation.”

In other words, the RCIA team was unwilling to discuss abortion, period. They also did not want to discuss the Rosary which I asked about.

Our family now uses the Catechism and our daughter, 14, takes weekly CCD classes.

If your RCIA team is uncomfortable toward the Catechism, the Rosary, perhaps you should ask an apologist online here what you should do next.
 
Dolores49

Am very lucky that Father is willing to answer my questions - any and all - must be because he works with high school students during the day - HA -

Thanks for your post
melody
 
I am a cradle Catholic, but I’ve had several experiences with RCIA, including sponsoring a candidate into the Church in 2000. After my experience, I’ve reached the conclusion that having a good RCIA instructor is the second most important role in the parish, behind the pastor. They can influence people’s ultimate direction so much, right through the end of their lives. It is critical that they hold and teach beliefs that are faithful to the Magesterium - unfortunately, that is sometimes not the case (you can see that from posts in this forum).

For new, impressionable Catholics, how would they know if what they were taught in RCIA was right, unless they are proactive and went on to learn more from CA or other resources like the CCC (which they should - this is lifelong learning).
 
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Dolores49:
Here’s one I asked back in my RCIA in 1998.

On one evening we had a guest speaker who taught us about our “conscience formation”. We received a handout by “Catholic Update” entitled ‘Your conscience and church teaching: how do they fit together?’ We also received a one page typed paper called, “Conscience Formation”. It had no author, citation, nothing.

The Catechism was not used, let alone mentioned.

When she was done I was dumbfounded. She said nothing about abortion.

Unable to hold it in, I blurted, “What about abortion? Doesn’t the Church teach it’s wrong?”

Her answer was a dodge. She replied that we still follow the steps outlined in “Conscience Formation.”

In other words, the RCIA team was unwilling to discuss abortion, period. They also did not want to discuss the Rosary which I asked about.

Our family now uses the Catechism and our daughter, 14, takes weekly CCD classes.

If your RCIA team is uncomfortable toward the Catechism, the Rosary, perhaps you should ask an apologist online here what you should do next.
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Sounds like my RCIA experience. It was all about the teacher, a young gal just out of college. She made us listen to drippy music, and we never did learn how to do things right. A visiting priest brought me up short for not saying “amen” after receiving the Host and I had no idea. We had ask her the proper way to cross ourselves. She talked about herself a lot. She taught a year or two then drifted on.

I am afraid that this experience, and the general lack of substance in 12 years of homilies I’ve heard, have made me reluctant to go any deeper with the parish like join in cursillos or retreats or SEAL etc. Instead, I read on my own, and am taking the KC home study course. Apparently it’s easier for a priest to write the orthodox truth in a pamphlet then preach it and catch flack from parishioners who feel marginalized by it…
 
My grandaughter, who is R.C.I.A., due for Baptism, Confirmation and 1st Eucharist at the Easter vigil on March 26th, came to me today with the following:
  1. Please explain the doctrine of Purgatory
  2. Why has Satan not been mentioned once since I’ve been in R.C.I.A?
  3. Do Catholics believe in Satan?
  4. Where do we go when we die?
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She is 22 years old, 6 weeks short of joining The Church and doesn’t know these answers!!!
She was raised with no religion and stumbled to Catholicism through “the door” (fundie group) and reading all the “left behind” books. She deserves better than she’s getting but she is too shy to speak up and ask these questions.
How many Catholics do not understand Catholic teaching on the last days and what happens after death? Seems like many from what I’m reading and hearing. 😦
Guess we’d better get busy catechizing ourselves and each other!
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I just cut & copied this post I did yesterday from another thread because it’s so relevant in this one.
I too am a convert and R.C.I.A. or no, I am mostly self taught because of certain subjects that were not tackled in my R.C.I.A. group. i.e.; end times, abortion, etc. When I once brought up that abortion is wrong I was told by the “instructer”, a nun(!!!), that “not every Catholic feels that way”. As though I was somehow wrong in my thinking.
Now this business with my granddaughter.
I meant what I said in my post yesterday, we’d better get busy in catachesis instruction because many people coming into The Church are clueless about doctrine and dogma.
:mad:
 
mj01313,

The important thing is to get YOUR questions answered. This is an inquiry period. Don’t be afraid to inquire and keep inquiring. Sometimes the RCIA team may have to defer answering your question until they do some research, or until they can get with you one-one-one. Sometimes you may have to wait another year until a certain barrier to the Catholic faith can be overcome. There’s no need to feel as though you must stick to the agenda, the RCIA schedule. The schedule is to be tailored to your needs and concerns individually.

The difficulty with RCIA is that the catechumens are often in different places in their faith journey. I’ve known some that know more about the Catechism than their sponsor does. I’ve also known some that have never prayed in their lives. It’s difficult to treat the group as if they are all in the same state of understanding and readiness to received the Catholic faith.

Be sure to ask about what it is that may still linger as a potential barrier to you submitting with mind and will to all that the Catholic Church teaches. Inquire, and never stop inquiring.
 
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Dolores49:
Here’s one I asked back in my RCIA in 1998.

On one evening we had a guest speaker who taught us about our “conscience formation”. We received a handout by “Catholic Update” entitled ‘Your conscience and church teaching: how do they fit together?’ We also received a one page typed paper called, “Conscience Formation”. It had no author, citation, nothing.

The Catechism was not used, let alone mentioned.

When she was done I was dumbfounded. She said nothing about abortion.

Unable to hold it in, I blurted, “What about abortion? Doesn’t the Church teach it’s wrong?”

Her answer was a dodge. She replied that we still follow the steps outlined in “Conscience Formation.”

In other words, the RCIA team was unwilling to discuss abortion, period. They also did not want to discuss the Rosary which I asked about.

Our family now uses the Catechism and our daughter, 14, takes weekly CCD classes.

If your RCIA team is uncomfortable toward the Catechism, the Rosary, perhaps you should ask an apologist online here what you should do next.
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The Rosary, Mary, sexual morality, abortion, Papal infallibility are topics which prove to be the toughest barriers for some candidates to overcome. I think as a result there are teachers who soft-pedal or avoid these topics. What a shame for the poor candidate to be decieved about what they are getting into. I have always held that by being a CCD or RCIA instructor one agees to teach as clearly as possible what the Church teachs whether I have personal reservations or not. If one cannot teach what is taught by the Church one has no business volunteering to teach. St. Paul says that those who teach will be held to a higher standard than others. In twenty years I can recall only one candidate who decided at the last minute that she couldn’t accept the teaching on Mary and the Saints. Better that thab to join the Church under false colors.
 
I want to Thank all of you for your suggestions and blessings!!!

As I have read back over some of the posts - I get the feeling that RCIA needs to be more of a team effort and we should all still ask questions. My father used to say that the first word I ever said was Why and I always was asking questions. It still amazes me how many different versions of the Bible are out there - MAN has sure done a number on God’s Word.

Melody
 
I was something of a revert when I went through RCIA (infant baptism, but no other sacraments or insruction/practice of the Faith until age 28). The thing I remember not learning in RCIA were the whys, wherefores, and hows of Catholic devotion–why do we light candles and what do they have to do with prayer and devotion? How does one pray either to a Saint and/or directly to God? Who are the various saints and what are some of their stories? In other words, all the cultural stuff that cradle Catholics take for granted when they are growing up Catholic. For those who have never experienced it, it is somewhat akin to culture shock. I know I probably could have asked someone, but when you are learning important doctrine and stuff, it seems too trivial to bother people with something everybody seems to know naturally.

Of course, after almost 20 years of being a practicing Catholic, I have caught up on all this. But at the time I remember feeling somewhat left out and not like a “real” Catholic for a long time.
 
Fidelis:
You have hit one of the nails on the head regarding what some of my questions are - what “cradle” Catholics (may) take for granted - we should all relearn!! I understand that learning doctrine is important, but do we tend to forget what some know naturally? I like the idea of being a PRACTICING Catholic because I believe that it is/will be a never ending learning process.

One such instance came to light - having two Priests saying the same passage but using a different line - were both right? When I got home and looked it up on Catholic Answers - I did find that there were two ways to say it

Blessings!!
Melody
 
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Dolores49:
Here’s one I asked back in my RCIA in 1998.

On one evening we had a guest speaker who taught us about our “conscience formation”. We received a handout by “Catholic Update” entitled ‘Your conscience and church teaching: how do they fit together?’ We also received a one page typed paper called, “Conscience Formation”. It had no author, citation, nothing.

The Catechism was not used, let alone mentioned.

When she was done I was dumbfounded. She said nothing about abortion.

Unable to hold it in, I blurted, “What about abortion? Doesn’t the Church teach it’s wrong?”

Her answer was a dodge. She replied that we still follow the steps outlined in “Conscience Formation.”

In other words, the RCIA team was unwilling to discuss abortion, period. They also did not want to discuss the Rosary which I asked about.

Our family now uses the Catechism and our daughter, 14, takes weekly CCD classes.

If your RCIA team is uncomfortable toward the Catechism, the Rosary, perhaps you should ask an apologist online here what you should do next.
Click to expand...
It is my opinion that maybe 30% of the “team leaders” in RCIA sign up to be a teacher so they can indoctriate the candidates with their LIBERAL attitude toward the church. Those kinds of people usually are the talkative ones.
 
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mj01313:
Can you all give me a list of the questions you asked when starting RCIA or wish that you had asked?
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Why do Catholics kneel before they go into pews?
What happened to the last piece of the Lord’s Prayer (our father)?
Can you wear a rosary around your neck?
Are we supposed to wait until we are confirmed to receive Jesus?
Do you guys really mean it about the contraception, or is it just assumed that you’ll use it and nobody cares, and it is just a thing you are supposed to pretend about?
What’s a general confession?
What can I read to find out more about the Church?
Is there anything better than fish to eat on Friday?
What if your spouse murders your kids, then can you have a divorce?
What’s with this holy water and the sign of the cross?
Is Fat Tuesday a Catholic tradition?
Is it just in the movies that people say “Bless me Father for I have sinned”? Why would you get blessed for having sinned???
Does the Vatican have a secret office that has dealt with vampires through the centuries? (Okay, I didn’t ask that one)
etc.
etc.
etc.
 
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