Your experiences in facilitating RCIA

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Mike_Dye said:
…each class is different and will have a different dynamic. I insist on completely orthodox teaching in our program.
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Ah, there’s the key that so many miss. Yes, different classes and dynamics but what is the common denominator behind the successful classes? Orthodoxy. But why?
Mike_Dye said:
Trust me when I say that people are hungry for the truth…don’t water down our beliefs.
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Bingo. This is why orthodox RCIA is successful. People are hungry for the truth regardless of what the secular world may say. Thanks Mike.
 
Mike_Dye said:
Trust me when I say that people are hungry for the truth…don’t water down our beliefs.
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How wonderful that you have spent so many years facilitating RCIA 👍

In my parish they teach from the Catechism and there is no nonsense.
 
Teaching from the catechism is the way to go! I was on the RCIA team for a couple of years and it was an amazing experience! It is very important to make people feel welcome; I always looked for the ones who just sat there and never spoke and made a point to ask them how things were going and if they had any questions that they didn’t get a chance to ask in class; they usually did. Some people did tell me they were thinking about dropping until I talked to them, remember some of them are there against their family objections and things might be difficult for them at home for a while, they need all the support we can give them!
 
Catholic1954 said:
Teaching from the catechism is the way to go! I was on the RCIA team for a couple of years and it was an amazing experience! It is very important to make people feel welcome; I always looked for the ones who just sat there and never spoke and made a point to ask them how things were going and if they had any questions that they didn’t get a chance to ask in class; they usually did. Some people did tell me they were thinking about dropping until I talked to them, remember some of them are there against their family objections and things might be difficult for them at home for a while, they need all the support we can give them!
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That was very kind of you to do. And yes, when you first get there some contact like that really helps. So now (even though I’m not yet on the RCIA team 🙂 ) I try to do exactly that with anyone new to the class.
 
Catholic1954 said:
Some people did tell me they were thinking about dropping until I talked to them, remember some of them are there against their family objections and things might be difficult for them at home for a while, they need all the support we can give them!
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True. Even if they are not facing opposition they can still feel insecure because they have now started something new and different, they don’t yet know the lingo, etc. I have already experienced this, that some of the candidates really need to feel that the RCIA team are nice and helpful and supportive people. I am now fully aware of the responsibility of not putting people off and doing my best to be open and friendly.
 
=standay;12123781]Thanks Patrick. I’m not concerned about the timeline anymore. I had some confusion early on about how the RCIA timeline worked but with prayer (and additional research online!) I understand what’s going on much better now. There’s a lot to all that but I won’t go into it in this thread.
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At any rate, yes, I am *very *thankful to be in such a good program. Believe me, after the things I’ve read I do not take it for granted. A good RCIA program is not a given.
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When I’m confirmed (should be this coming Easter) I’ll have been in RCIA close to 2 years. But I realized several years ago when I first started researching Catholicism that the Catholic Church “runs deep.” Very deep. I know I’ll only scratch the surface in that time which is one of the big reasons I want to stay in RCIA with the team. I love learning about the Catholic Church and I figure, what better way than to continue with RCIA by being on the team?!
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Know that you’re in my daily thoughts and prayers,
Patrick
 
fide said:
In several dioceses, btw, I also ran into some RCIA programs, directors and catechists who operated with disturbingly unorthodox attitudes about RCIA, the Catholic Faith, and the Church itself. This, of course, without any correction from the Chancery. Very troubling.
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I must be in one of ‘those’ diocese. I just shied away from a prayer group because it was headed by one particularly overworked RE director/RCIA director/you-name-it church worker. I now just stay away from that parish. The whole disturbing RCIA process actually led me away from Roman Catholicism to an Eastern Catholic parish.

Knowing there are a few good people somewhere that welcome potential converts and reverts is hopeful.
 
“Most of them come from Hinduism and Buddhism.” Wow. When I was teaching RCIA here in the Bible Belt, most everyone was Fundamentalist or Evangelical.
 
kkollwitz said:
“Most of them come from Hinduism and Buddhism.” Wow. When I was teaching RCIA here in the Bible Belt, most everyone was Fundamentalist or Evangelical.
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It’s a different world over here 😃

I suspect they will have none of the usual hangups that many protestant convers have.
 
I have been on our RCIA team for 5 years now. We use the Bible a lot besides the Catechism and other sources. One thing I learned is to know the Scriptural basis for Catholic beliefs. Most of our converts come from Protestant backgrounds and are familiar with the Bible. This past year one of the candidates with a Pentecostal background approached me right away and told me she had a hard time in believing in the Eucharist (we hadn’t even got that far yet) and why do we believe as we do. I got the Bible out and showed her the relevant Scriptures from the Gospels. esp. John, and showed her the words of Jesus himself and explained them from a Catholic point of view. She looked at me in some amazement and said she had never thought of that before. A light went on, and she became one of our most excited candidates, she absolutely glowed at the Easter Vigil.

And if you don’t know the Scripture, tell them you will look it up. Most of our Protestant candidates know the Bible better than most Catholics, and that is what speaks to their hearts.

However, we have had Wiccans and Pagans, and atheists who knew virtually nothing of Christianity, and they have a lot of general questions. It can be a challenge.

But it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, especially when I see these people still coming to Mass regularly years later.
 
=CB Catholic;12161602]I have been on our RCIA team for 5 years now. We use the Bible a lot besides the Catechism and other sources. One thing I learned is to know the Scriptural basis for Catholic beliefs. Most of our converts come from Protestant backgrounds and are familiar with the Bible. This past year one of the candidates with a Pentecostal background approached me right away and told me she had a hard time in believing in the Eucharist (we hadn’t even got that far yet) and why do we believe as we do. I got the Bible out and showed her the relevant Scriptures from the Gospels. esp. John, and showed her the words of Jesus himself and explained them from a Catholic point of view. She looked at me in some amazement and said she had never thought of that before. A light went on, and she became one of our most excited candidates, she absolutely glowed at the Easter Vigil.
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And if you don’t know the Scripture, tell them you will look it up. Most of our Protestant candidates know the Bible better than most Catholics, and that is what speaks to their hearts.
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However, we have had Wiccans and Pagans, and atheists who knew virtually nothing of Christianity, and they have a lot of general questions. It can be a challenge.
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But it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, especially when I see these people still coming to Mass regularly years later.
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Hi,
I co-taught RCIA for 3 years before retiring. I now continue my Ministry through a FREE course and the internet, as a SUPPLEMENT to RCIA.

I certainly agree with buoyant expression of joy in sharing our Faith.

I’m curious as to how you pick and choose what to share as both books are extensive teachings of our Catholic Faith, which is why I was encouraged to develop and offer this addition and continuation of Faith Formation. A Mystagogia type extension that because of no time limits permits me to cover more topics, all in greater depth and detail, as well as answer questions.

Thank you for you’re Ministry, and I look forward Mystagogia to hearing how you select your materiel. I too deal a great deal with other faith Christians.

Continued Blessings,
Patrick
 
PJM said:
Hi,
I co-taught RCIA for 3 years before retiring. I now continue my Ministry through a FREE course and the internet, as a SUPPLEMENT to RCIA.

I certainly agree with buoyant expression of joy in sharing our Faith.

I’m curious as to how you pick and choose what to share as both books are extensive teachings of our Catholic Faith, which is why I was encouraged to develop and offer this addition and continuation of Faith Formation. A Mystagogia type extension that because of no time limits permits me to cover more topics, all in greater depth and detail, as well as answer questions.

Thank you for you’re Ministry, and I look forward Mystagogia to hearing how you select your materiel. I too deal a great deal with other faith Christians.

Continued Blessings,
Patrick
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Actually, each layperson on the team gives a talk on their assigned subject, and are given a list of reading materials, or we can do our own research. I do a presentation on Jesus as a Jew, another does one on Vatican II, a couple does one on the Sacrament of Matrimony, (annulment questions are handled by the priests), one is on the Communion of Saints and the first talk is a lay witness talk. There are 5 of us. The rest of the presentations are by our Deacons and Priests, so I do not know how they choose their material. The candidates are given assignments from the Bible for most of the topics and the Catechism is used as a reference. I don’t really have much say in what is used. They cover the Sacraments, Mary, Church history, the Nicene Creed, Sacred Tradition, Old Testament, New Testament, Morality and other basic Catholic dogma and doctrines. We are free to add to or contribute to any discussions.
 
=CB Catholic;12169011]Actually, each layperson on the team gives a talk on their assigned subject, and are given a list of reading materials, or we can do our own research. I do a presentation on Jesus as a Jew, another does one on Vatican II, a couple does one on the Sacrament of Matrimony, (annulment questions are handled by the priests), one is on the Communion of Saints and the first talk is a lay witness talk. There are 5 of us. The rest of the presentations are by our Deacons and Priests, so I do not know how they choose their material. The candidates are given assignments from the Bible for most of the topics and the Catechism is used as a reference. I don’t really have much say in what is used. They cover the Sacraments, Mary, Church history, the Nicene Creed, Sacred Tradition, Old Testament, New Testament, Morality and other basic Catholic dogma and doctrines. We are free to add to or contribute to any discussions.
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Thanks Carolyn,

I wounder how much is missed?

God Bless you and again thanks for your Ministry,

Patrick
 
=SuscipeMeDomine;12171393]RCIA could take 10 years and things would still be missed! Being Catholic is a lifelong process; RCIA merely opens the door.
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TRUE:)

WHich is why I was prompted to OFFER MY FREE COURSE to facilitate the necessarily missed information from RCIA. I’m able to cover more topics and in far greater depth.

I agree the Protestants SEEM to know the bible better than many Catholics; the PROBLEM is God does not give them the Grace necessary to CORRECTLY understand it:). Which is why key issues like Mary as the Mother of God, the Real Presence, and sin forgiveness are ALL major issues with many of them.

Also the fact of One God; with One Faith in One Church [Eph. 4:1-7] is passed over.

God Bless you,
Patrick
 
=SuscipeMeDomine;12171393]RCIA could take 10 years and things would still be missed! Being Catholic is a lifelong process; RCIA merely opens the door.
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While this MAY be a true statement? There are nevertheless KEY Doctrines and practices that IMO, ought to be taught. How to use the bible, not assuming ALL know how.

And other factors such as:

The Three Infallible rules for RIGHT understanding of the bible [Mt. 16" 18-19 & 28: 16-20]
  1. Never EVER
    can may or does
    One verse, passage or teaching
    Have the power or authority
    to invalidate, make void, or override
    another verse, passage or teaching
Were this even the slightest possibility [ITS NOT] it would render the entire bible as worthless to teach or learn ones Faith
  1. ALL understanding in order to be "right: MUST conform fully to Catholic Teaching
  2. The bible IS a Catholic Book, it is the CC that birthed the bible
The Sovereignty of the Pope and the Magisterium, and the CC

The concept of JUST one Chosen people OT; and Only One Church NT
God is consistent in what He wants.

Mt. 10: 1-8
Mt. 16:15-19
John 17:14-26
Mt. 28:16-20
Eph. 4: 1-7 [the short course]

Introduce the Catechism, explain what it is and how to use it

The CREED’s, explain them

The Sacraments: especially the Eucharist: Mt. 26:26-27; Mk 14:22-23, Luke 22: 19-20; John 6:59; Paul 1st. Cor 11: 23-30 & Sacramental: Sin and Confession 1 John 8-10;
1 John 5: 16-17; John 20: 19;23 NOTING: that in John 17:18 & 20:21 Christ is actually transferring His very powers and authority to the Apostles [alone] and through them to His CC. Mt. 16: 18-19 & Mt. 10: 1-8 & Confirmation and what it means and requires.

There is more but these are essential IMO teachings for the new elect and catacumens.

God Bless you and MUCH success in your efforts.

Patrick
 
“RCIA could take 10 years and things would still be missed!”

Yes. Deciding what to include and what to leave out in a mere year of RCIA is quite a challenge; and it will vary depending on who the catechumen/ candidates are. I taught RCIA for a couple of years, and virtually everyone was a baptized, Bible-believing Sola Scrip candidate. Way different from say, those who are new to Christianity, or even theism.
 
kkollwitz said:
I taught RCIA for a couple of years, and virtually everyone was a baptized, Bible-believing Sola Scrip candidate. Way different from say, those who are new to Christianity, or even theism.
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Very true. Our candidates don’t have any of the usual Protestant hang-ups. But most also lack basic knowledge, and the level of teaching is adjusted to that so they can understand the material. We must be careful to use language without lingo. Many people have no clue what a parish is, let alone more complex theological concepts. It is a different challenge from teaching Protestant converts.

Our discussion so far has been very interesting. I am glad many are excited about teaching RCIA. I am very happy to have this opportunity.
 
.My circumstance is that I have been through RCIA and was baptized confirmed and received Holy Communion Easter 2014. In my experience subjectively rather than objectively, RCIA was most valuable to me, and well worth the time and I am eternally thankful to those RCIA leaders and sponsors who assisted my development.

On the other hand during that same period my wife converted her friend to evangelical protestant, she went to church one week, put up her hand to the sinners prayer, took the bread and grape juice, and never returned.

It is like marriage. You don’t just see someone say let’s get married and go back to living your own life. Tick done that in life. It takes time to love. The Catholic Church I now love, the evangelical church I attended for 18 years I was just a member of a club.

Sorry hope that makes sense.
 
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