Who should be invited to RCIA?

[fhansen]

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.

We allow parishioners to participate in RCIA. Its a great place for all to deepen their knowledge of the faith.

 

[Joannm]

We don’t allow parishioners to participate unless they are accompanying a catechumen or are considering joining the team. There is a very delicate dynamic going on with those preparing to enter the faith. I have seen it where a visiting parishioner has brought up a topic that is totally inappropriate for the stage we are at in formation. There is also the confidentiality issue. Our catechists and catechumens know that whatever is said in the session states there. They can open their hearts. It is a safe place. I don’t think that could happen if parishioners are allowed to just join in the group. RCIA is all about the catechumens (and candidates), nothing should take away from their ability to ask questions, to express doubts and concerns, and most of all to tell their stories. If parishioners want to learn about the faith offer adult formation classes.

 

[pianistclare]

We don’t allow parishioners to participate unless they are accompanying a catechumen or are considering joining the team. There is a very delicate dynamic going on with those preparing to enter the faith. I have seen it where a visiting parishioner has brought up a topic that is totally inappropriate for the stage we are at in formation. There is also the confidentiality issue. Our catechists and catechumens know that whatever is said in the session states there. They can open their hearts. It is a safe place. I don’t think that could happen if parishioners are allowed to just join in the group. RCIA is all about the catechumens (and candidates), nothing should take away from their ability to ask questions, to express doubts and concerns, and most of all to tell their stories. If parishioners want to learn about the faith offer adult formation classes.

I agree wholeheartedly. This is not meant to detract from those pastors who want to offer more catechesis to their flock.
Adult ed is a necessity. I believe that many parishioners prefer to sit in on RCIA rather than go to RCIA though, because they feel like it won’t appear like they know little. People are embarrassed about their lack of catechesis a lot of the time. In RCIA classes they feel like they’re not alone.
But the key is to offer adult ed led by someone who is welcoming, approachable, and kind.
Lots of people are good catechists, but like in any subject, some talk “over people’s heads” and others make things accessible. Both groups of people need ministering to. It’s up to the Religious Ed leaders to find the right fit for each group.
Peace.

 

[phil19034]

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.

It really depends on the community. In some smaller parishes, where everyone knows each other and the parish has a welcoming vibe, this could be a good thing (assuming everyone keeps quiet and just learns).

But in larger parishes or in ones which lack a “fellowship community” it could be intimidating for the catechumen and candidate. It could cause them to no ask questions which they would have otherwise asked, etc.

So as a rule of thumb, I would argue that the better option is to have an “RCIA like” adult faith formation class for all Catholics and leave RCIA to the catechumens and candidates.

If your parish purchases Symbolon then the Catholics can learn about the Faith at home, on their own time.

 

[Joe_5859]

It really depends on the community. In some smaller parishes, where everyone knows each other and the parish has a welcoming vibe, this could be a good thing (assuming everyone keeps quiet and just learns).

But in larger parishes or in ones which lack a “fellowship community” it could be intimidating for the catechumen and candidate. It could cause them to no ask questions which they would have otherwise asked, etc.

So as a rule of thumb, I would argue that the better option is to have an “RCIA like” adult faith formation class for all Catholics and leave RCIA to the catechumens and candidates.

If your parish purchases Symbolon then the Catholics can learn about the Faith at home, on their own time.

That’s a good point. The parish I ran across that opens the invitation to all (which is what prompted my initial question) is one of those types of smaller parishes with a pretty welcoming vibe. So that might be why it seems to work well for them. But I can see how it would be problematic for other parishes in light of many of the above comments.

We are using Symbolon for our RCIA. Though the resource was designed with RCIA in mind, they seem to deliberately avoid using RCIA terminology, which I think is helpful in that you could use it as a separate Adult study group without them necessarily knowing the material was designed for RCIA purposes.