What to do about someone who has missed most of RCIA but says they want to be Catholic?

[mfrances]

I’m on the RCIA team in my parish.

In September when we start that year’s program, we hand out a form that states that we will ask a Catechumen to repeat the program for an additional year if they cannot attend at least 2 classes and Masses per month. 2 out of 4 classes a month is not asking too much!

 

[PJM]

=Cupertino2010;8989886]I have a situation that I am having a hard time dealing with. I’m responsible for my parish’s RCIA program and I have an individual that moved into our area in Nov 2011 and started RCIA with us. The problem is that individual has only been to 4 events/sessions, one Mass, and seems to think that RCIA is a “home study” or “self-study” program. I’m perplexed because I cannot, in good faith, state to the priest, bishop and parish that this person is ready to receive the sacraments of initiation come Easter 2012.

I’ve called and emailed the person multiple times to find out why they weren’t showing up. No responses to email or phone messages. Finally, I spoke with my priest and he said it was my decision. So, after trying to call the person to set up one last meeting to no avail, I sent them an email basically stating that I could not recommend that they be accepted into the Church this Easter.

A few days later, I get an email from the indivdual accussing me of making false statements about the expectations of RCIA participants, etc., and that the individual is serious about coming into the Church. We’re less than a week from the Rite of Election and Enrollment and I feel for this person but I cannot bring myself to agree with recommending them for acceptance into the Church. I feel an obligation to protect our Faith but hate the thought of turning someone away from the Church.

Am I wrong to tell the person that I don’t think they’re ready? What would you do?

RCIA * is alot more than a good idea. It’s MANDATED because it’s necessary. IF one cannot attend classes they ought to arrance for personal one on one instruction. Acceptance into the church requires a Covenant type commitement between then and God; this ca’t be done without understanding the commitment and the WHY"S and HOWS of our catholic Faith.

Such a person ought NOT be addmitted into the church for these reasons and because if one can do it; what is to prevent others from doing it?

I’d discuss it with the Pastor but hold to what is RIGHT!

God Bless you and thanks for you’re Ministry.

Pat*

 

[mrogers1257]

Hey there!
So I was a Catechist for about 4/5 years now and my churches policy was no more than 3 classes. If one of my students missed classes, I would simply send home homework to make up for the classes that they have missed, it was up to them to turn it in and get credit or not. Teaching in the church has lead me to go into teaching as a career - I’m in college for it now but based off of my experience in the classroom: the effort must be made on both ends. If this person is not showing initiative for joining the Catholic Church and is not making the effort to attend classes and mass, then, I would simply tell them that it would be best for this person to discern whether or not the Catholic faith is something they can take seriously and return to the RCIA process the next year.

Now if this person gives you legit life issue problems (passing of relatives, job loss etc) then find a way to work with them. I have had experience teaching 6th 7th and 8th grade classes and I find that middle schoolers, when offered a hand for help, usually take it. Adults should have the same capability.