Who should be invited to RCIA?

[Joe_5859]

I am soliciting feedback, particularly from those here who are involved in their parish RCIA.

The basic question is: Who should be invited to attend RCIA?

I know that first and foremost, RCIA is for those who have never been baptized (i.e. the catechumen). It also tends to get used for the candidates who have already been baptized. I know that some argue that the two groups should be kept separate as they are coming from different places, but practical considerations often prevent most parishes from doing such a thing.

But what about inviting just anyone from the parish? I know that, in the real world, many fully initiated Catholics have had just as little proper formation as those who are just entering RCIA. I’ve known parishes that will basically open the doors to RCIA for anyone in the parish to come and get a refresher course on the Catholic faith. And, for whatever reason, these Catholics seem more inclined to go to RCIA than to go to a parish Bible study or other such adult faith formation opportunity.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, that’s not really what RCIA is for. But on the other hand, the fully initiated Catholics are in need of conversion, too. Plus, it would have the tendency to increase the size of the class, which seems like it could generate more discussion. Finally, it puts the “new” Catholics in contact with a greater number of the “old” Catholics, which strikes me as a good thing. Too many people who go through RCIA end up leaving within their first year of being Catholic largely because they never get fully integrated into the parish. Having more people from the parish for them to get to know seems like a good way to minimize that attrition.

So what are your thoughts? What does your parish do? Any insights would be appreciated. This is my first year being involved on RCIA team directly and I am toying with the idea of “opening it up” in some future year to a wider audience. But, obviously, I don’t want to do something that misuses RCIA.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I see a few problems with inviting those who are already Catholic to come to RCIA.

One is that it turns RCIA into a class that someone attends and that’s really not what it is intended to be. It is much more about formation and apprenticeship into the Catholic Christian life. Depending on the background of the catechumens, instruction may be at a very basic level. And I want the catechumens to feel comfortable asking their “dumb” questions.

Too often it seems like RCIA becomes the dumping ground for adult faith formation. The parish should take responsibility for continuing to educate and form its adult members and leave RCIA for its intended purpose.

 

[Joe_5859]

I see a few problems with inviting those who are already Catholic to come to RCIA.

One is that it turns RCIA into a class that someone attends and that’s really not what it is intended to be. It is much more about formation and apprenticeship into the Catholic Christian life. Depending on the background of the catechumens, instruction may be at a very basic level. And I want the catechumens to feel comfortable asking their “dumb” questions.

Too often it seems like RCIA becomes the dumping ground for adult faith formation. The parish should take responsibility for continuing to educate and form its adult members and leave RCIA for its intended purpose.

Good point. Thank you.

 

[1ke]

RCIA is not the place for poorly catechized catholics, they can confuse catechumens and candidates and can have their own agendas and issues with Church teaching. Best to offer them adult education classes separate and apart from RCIA.

In the RCIA program I was part of in my old city, Catholics could only attend RCIA if they were sponsors or team members, both of whom received training on how not to hijack discussion groups and how to let the candidates and catechumens open up, ask questions, etc. We were trained on the RCIA rites, the stages, the proper way to help those in RCIA.

In my new parish, it isn’t a problem because it is small and I am usually helping only one or two people come into the Church at a time. so, it isn’t a big program with speaker, etc. Just me.

 

[Joe_5859]

RCIA is not the place for poorly catechized catholics, they can confuse catechumens and candidates and can have their own agendas and issues with Church teaching. Best to offer them adult education classes separate and apart from RCIA.

In the RCIA program I was part of in my old city, Catholics could only attend RCIA if they were sponsors or team members, both of whom received training on how not to hijack discussion groups and how to let the candidates and catechumens open up, ask questions, etc. We were trained on the RCIA rites, the stages, the proper way to help those in RCIA.

In my new parish, it isn’t a problem because it is small and I am usually helping only one or two people come into the Church at a time. so, it isn’t a big program with speaker, etc. Just me.

Thanks. More good points. You both have convinced me.

 

[phil19034]

Thanks. More good points. You both have convinced me.

Convinced me too!

 

[mountee]

I agree with the responses you have received so far but I have to admit that when I was a sponsor to a candidate, about 15 years ago, I learned quite a bit. Because of my experience I would have to urge you to keep an open mind because it would be a shame for someone to miss out on the same experience I had. As a cradle Catholic, exclusively educated through college at Catholic schools, there were many things that I learned for the first time which I should have heard and understood long before I was a sponsor. I don’t think RCIA is especially suited or meant for poorly catechized Catholics but I never saw myself that way until I went. If someone is serious about correcting a lack of education or catechization in their formation I would hope that if possible, they could join in to begin fixing the problem. I see many of the challenges facing our Church these days as a direct result of poorly catechized Catholics thinking that they can pick and choose what they want to believe and they want change where change can’t happen. I am not suggesting opening the doors as if this were a class for the parish, but I am urging you to look at each individual case and allowing them to join in if there is room and they seem sincere.

 

[casslean]

As a current catechumen through RCIA, I would find it intimidating to have a large class of Catholics who have been through catechism and RE as children, who were raised in the church, even if the education was poorly done. One of the things that has been reassuring for me is knowing that my “classmates” are all in the same place I am.

It also allows us to have the opportunity to discuss why we are joining the Catholic church, because we have all chosen to join - that’s an important discussion to have. I became very emotional when first talking about why I felt I was being called to join the Catholic church, because it gave me that opportunity to see and realize that I had finally found where I belonged.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Casslean, I think you bring up an important point. There is a bonding that takes place when you have a group of adults who are all part of the same experience of change in their lives, all of whom have made the choice to make this change. People who have perhaps never been comfortable talking about their faith or their spiritual lives trust these other people to truly understand where they’re coming from.

 

[Miserissima]

RCIA is not the place for poorly catechized catholics, they can confuse catechumens and candidates and can have their own agendas and issues with Church teaching. Best to offer them adult education classes separate and apart from RCIA.

RCIA is a good way to engage in “continuing conversion” for a Baptized Catholic; I agree that the size of the class matters. If you’re talking a group of 6 to 10 people, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

For larger “mixed” classes, (logistics notwithstanding, of course), perhaps partnering with another parish would help: St A’s takes the Catechumens while St. B’s takes the Catholics. St. B’s could still use the RCIA format but allow more time for discussion.

 

[3DOCTORS]

Interesting; I’d never thought about this before. My parish opens it to both groups. casslean and SuscipeMeDomine raise points I hadn’t thought about. The practical application may prove trickier, though, depending upon the size of the parish - some parishes aren’t going to be large enough to offer both RCIA and a refresher course at the same time. So I think that’s why they end up combining them.

Since I’m a cradle Catholic, I am only in the last few years becoming aware how intimidating it may be for some to come to RCIA class from “outside.” The moderator of the class, I suppose, might want to address this, and maybe all pray for a spirit of mutual assistance and support to be with the class. I’ve also known some cradle Catholics who got so far away from the Church that they were almost like they’d never been Catholic by the time they made their way back. They had to relearn or learn most everything from the beginning. And if they had a rough journey through the intervening years, they too might be experiencing emotional struggles and in need of gentle ministering to. So in some ways it is going to be a mixed bag no matter what.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thank you all for even more good points to consider. Thank you, casslean for providing the perspective from the catechumen’s perspective. That is definitely an important thing to be sensitive to.

 

[pianistclare]

I see a few problems with inviting those who are already Catholic to come to RCIA.

One is that it turns RCIA into a class that someone attends and that’s really not what it is intended to be. It is much more about formation and apprenticeship into the Catholic Christian life. Depending on the background of the catechumens, instruction may be at a very basic level. And I want the catechumens to feel comfortable asking their “dumb” questions.

Too often it seems like RCIA becomes the dumping ground for adult faith formation. The parish should take responsibility for continuing to educate and form its adult members and leave RCIA for its intended purpose.

Absolutely agree. I would add though, that many times, we have folks who complete the process, and ask to come back for a second round. This can, depending on the individual, be helpful for them, for I know that at least in our parish, our program is too short. I doubt that turning new Catholics loose in Adult Ed can always be the best thing.
So it does work both ways.
Problem is, you have to make a decision one way or another. Some would come back with, “hey, how come so and so can come, and I can’t”?
Strive for a vibrant and welcoming adult ed. Not a coffee between the Masses group of the cradle Catholics. If they are there, and are well formed, turn them into catechists! Let them lead, and not just sit and rehash all their favorite topics.
Also, Adult Ed is hard to sell, because many people have not yet bought into the lifelong learning module.
But I agree with the previous poster. RCIA is not for already formed Catholics.
They need to be working in the vineyard already! LOL
Peace!

EDIT: I might add: That it only takes one poorly catechized Catholic with an axe to grind to completely derail RCIA. Seen it happen loads of times. Very upsetting, confusing, and rude, frankly.

 

[CalCatholic]

I see a few problems with inviting those who are already Catholic to come to RCIA.

One is that it turns RCIA into a class that someone attends and that’s really not what it is intended to be. It is much more about formation and apprenticeship into the Catholic Christian life. Depending on the background of the catechumens, instruction may be at a very basic level. And I want the catechumens to feel comfortable asking their “dumb” questions.

Too often it seems like RCIA becomes the dumping ground for adult faith formation. The parish should take responsibility for continuing to educate and form its adult members and leave RCIA for its intended purpose.

I agree!

 

[awsiukiewicz]

I don’t really follow Fr. Jensen’s comments are they concerning the RCIA thread…? Anyway…I attended RCIA in our Parish a few years ago just see what was being presented…not to create problems… there was another person there like myself…grounded in the faith…who would offer very good well meaning comments during the lectures…it was not an open forum nor was there any arguing…it all concerned the beauty of the the Church and it’s teachings…I, for one…have always been just a little more than curious as to how ANYONE regardless of their prior background (religious) and/or formal or lack thereof of formal education…could grasp the teachings of the Church…albeit a basic course…to aptly apply what they have learned in these classes to being Catholic…I posed my question to the primary Priest…(who I think is fantastic, and incidentally is a Methodist convert)…and he very nicely explained that it is the hope of the Church that these individuals continue their reading and study of the Faith…I found that it went a great deal more into Marian devotions and the Rosary…and Purgatory…etc…calling Priests Father…and the list goes on…it was a great deal more than that…our Priest did what I thought was a great job of instruction on the teachings of the Church…soo…I think having well meaning knowledgeable Catholics at these classes can be a good thing…

 

[pianistclare]

I don’t really follow Fr. Jensen’s comments are they concerning the RCIA thread…? Anyway…I attended RCIA in our Parish a few years ago just see what was being presented…not to create problems… there was another person there like myself…grounded in the faith…who would offer very good well meaning comments during the lectures…it was not an open forum nor was there any arguing…it all concerned the beauty of the the Church and it’s teachings…I, for one…have always been just a little more than curious as to how ANYONE regardless of their prior background (religious) and/or formal or lack thereof of formal education…could grasp the teachings of the Church…albeit a basic course…to aptly apply what they have learned in these classes to being Catholic…I posed my question to the primary Priest…(who I think is fantastic, and incidentally is a Methodist convert)…and he very nicely explained that it is the hope of the Church that these individuals continue their reading and study of the Faith…I found that it went a great deal more into Marian devotions and the Rosary…and Purgatory…etc…calling Priests Father…and the list goes on…it was a great deal more than that…our Priest did what I thought was a great job of instruction on the teachings of the Church…soo…I think having well meaning knowledgeable Catholics at these classes can be a good thing…

Sure, as certified Catechists…

 

[Joe_5859]

I don’t really follow Fr. Jensen’s comments are they concerning the RCIA thread…? Anyway…I attended RCIA in our Parish a few years ago just see what was being presented…not to create problems… there was another person there like myself…grounded in the faith…who would offer very good well meaning comments during the lectures…it was not an open forum nor was there any arguing…it all concerned the beauty of the the Church and it’s teachings…I, for one…have always been just a little more than curious as to how ANYONE regardless of their prior background (religious) and/or formal or lack thereof of formal education…could grasp the teachings of the Church…albeit a basic course…to aptly apply what they have learned in these classes to being Catholic…I posed my question to the primary Priest…(who I think is fantastic, and incidentally is a Methodist convert)…and he very nicely explained that it is the hope of the Church that these individuals continue their reading and study of the Faith…I found that it went a great deal more into Marian devotions and the Rosary…and Purgatory…etc…calling Priests Father…and the list goes on…it was a great deal more than that…our Priest did what I thought was a great job of instruction on the teachings of the Church…soo…I think having well meaning knowledgeable Catholics at these classes can be a good thing…

No, that quote has nothing directly to do with the thread. It is just part of my signature that appears in all my posts at the moment.

 

[thequeen]

At my Parish anyone who wants to is welcome to sit in on the RCIA classes.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

At my Parish anyone who wants to is welcome to sit in on the RCIA classes.

And are there ways you see that as beneficial to the candidates and catechumens?

 

[thequeen]

And are there ways you see that as beneficial to the candidates and catechumens?

Its not like we interupt the teacher we just sit there and listen along with everyone else and it also helps us in our faith journey I am a convert myself and I never got to go through rcia I had private instruction by a very good priest who was very orthodox in his thinking because my parish did not have rcia at the time.