| Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Fri, 30 September 2005 03:18  |
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Hello!
It appears the RCIA catechumen's and candidates are quiet as well as the sponsor teams. I have been a sponsor/team member of our Parish's RCIA program for six years. I too went through the program seven years ago. During this entire time we have had a priest present at most of the meetings. The laity is doing some of the presentation but with the priest present to answer any questions. We have received conflicting information though...is the RCIA program at your Parish completely laity or priest assisted?
Thanks for any assistance.
Janet
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Fri, 30 September 2005 05:42  |
 enchamade
Messages: 212
Registered: April 2004 |
Senior Member |
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Our priest is often at the RCIA classes, but it is, I understand, taught primarily by a layman. The teacher, however, knows his material quite well indeed.
When I went through RCIA, the main teacher was a deacon, but our priest was often present at classes. We had sub-groups in which we discussed topics with our sponsors. My situation was a little different, since I became a Catholic while a senior in college, at the university parish. The congregation, you see, was really transient -- mainly students. Our sponsors were assigned to us from the main town parish. I rather liked that method, since the sponsors were screened, and the clergy knew that each was a practicing, knowledgable Catholic who actually could answer questions and serve as a spritual mentor.
The class handled topics from doctrine to things such has "how do I pray the Rosary", and "HOW do I go to confesssion?" -- it wasn't all just talk. The class also explained HOW to do things. I know many RCIA folks who entered the Church, but have no clue, really how to use the confessional or pray the Rosary. Strange, but often the RCIA people are flushed through one of those "general confession services"...those don't seem all that valid to me, but hey...these days so little does.
JP
[Updated on: Fri, 30 September 2005 05:42]
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Fri, 30 September 2005 05:47 |
Anne
Messages: 3816
Registered: April 2004 |
Senior Member |
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Do you have team members/lay leaders who are trained for the program? Why does the priest feel that he has to be there every time? Is he not trusting? It's good for the pastor to be present occasionally but not necessary every time.
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Fri, 30 September 2005 19:13 |
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Thank you so much for all your insight and responses. We (the team) feel the need for a priest present for our comfort zone too. We feel, over the years, the Catechumens and Candidates really appreciate the interaction. Our team is trained with various Diocesan programs though only one has their RCIA certificate. We do preview all our presentations with the priest(s). We have a varied age group joining the church from various backrounds, as I will assume you do also. Our biggest challenge each year is the person coming from a different religion due to the spouse desiring his or her partner to fully participate in mass. These folks have had a lifetime of Catholic misconceptions taught to them. The team's answers usually do not suffice to these folks! We do have a general question and answer format where as the folks want the 'answers' now. You can imagine the routine questions, "At my old church anyone could take communion and if I say I believe this is the body of Christ why can't I take the communion now?" (my answer to this particular person was to ask him about the first two weeks he dated his wife - did he know he wanted to spend a lifetime with her right away or did he want to take things slowly, to learn everything he could about the true love versus like or desire - did he marry her the next day or wait until the relationship unfolded to something worthy of a lifetime - he then understood our stance of waiting until the time was right to come into the church in full communion when the time WAS right) "Why do you go to confession when you can just talk to Jesus?" --- These questions have a simple and also complex answer and even though we tell the folks we will cover this and other material for them, they want their answers now! I think too, some of this is from friends or other family members that are not Catholic feeding more misinformation to them. I just had Lutheran co-worker ask why the priest only receives the Blood of Christ. I told her as a Eucharistic Minister of the Body and Chalice - I serve both species and did not know where she received this information!
Again, thank you so much for your insights - I will take this information to our coordinator.
Janet
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Mon, 03 October 2005 18:14 |
Br. Rich SFO
Messages: 18
Registered: April 2004
Location: NC |
Junior Member |
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The Pastor specifically but the priests in general are the chief Catechists in a parish. I personally find many things that are presented even by clergy that need to be corrected later on. I think it is good for the pastor or the other priests and deacons to stop by and greet the Candidates and Catechumens but if you have trained catechists who know their material and make sure that they are grounded in the Catechism and not opinion you are better off to let lay catechists present. But someone needs to listen and watch for errors.
ECCE ADSUM DOMINE UT FACIAM VOLUTATEM TUAM
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sat, 08 October 2005 16:13 |
Maureen
Messages: 4
Registered: April 2004 |
Junior Member |
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Beginning with paragraph 9 of the RCIA, the Ministries and Offices of the Rite are defined. One critical point is that "the initiation of adults is the responsiblity of all the baptized." What each specifically does is spelled out in further paragraphs and describes the roles of bishops, priests, deacons, catechists, sponsors, and godparents. It's well worth reading as the ideal situation. Most of us live in the less than ideal real.
Teaching is a gift and not everyone has it. As long as what is taught is correct, I think the person with the gift of teaching should do the bulk of the catechesis, whether that person is a priest, deacon, or catechist.
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sat, 04 February 2006 09:26 |
Credable
Messages: 2
Registered: January 2006
Location: Lake Jackson, Texas |
Junior Member |
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I am very late coming into this discussion and I apologize for that. Our pastor never attends any of our sessions. He does make the retreats and participates in them. I guess he figures RCIA is in good hands. I know I am being nit picky but there is a word that is running through this thread and it bothers me. Perhaps I am wrong but I understood that RCIA was not a class where people are taught, but instead a place where people could be catechized. Information given for the perposem of forming people. The word teaching brings to mind the Baltimore Catecheism. I would hope we are beyond that. Perhaps I am over reacting and if so I apologize.
Together we share our faith
Together we serve our God
Together we grow in Christ
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sat, 04 February 2006 09:39 |
PhiMuAlpha2681
Messages: 714
Registered: November 2004
Location: Camp Hill, PA |
Senior Member |
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Catechesis: oral instruction given to catechumens.
Late Latin catechesis, from Greek katekhesis ("oral instruction"), from katekhein ("to teach by word of mouth").
(compliments of Dictionary.com)
~nb
An artist can be truly evaluated only after he is dead. At the very 11th hour, he might do something that will eclipse everything else.
-- Van Cliburn
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sat, 04 February 2006 09:53 |
Anne
Messages: 3816
Registered: April 2004 |
Senior Member |
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You are correct in the sense that RCIA should not be like a religious ed class. RCIA is suppose to be a process for conversion.
Conversion is a journey of faith with the chosen community, grounded in the Gospel and culminating with the Sacraments of Initiation. Of course there is some catechesis involved, mostly liturgical. Learning Catechism comes later.
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sat, 04 February 2006 19:17 |
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Thank you for your replies. Our class, though small, is forming very nicely. We are not getting the question and answer exchanges too much as most of the folks going through are in marriage preparation also. Our new Priest has a fabulous gift of teaching (information explanation) and I think his talks on our topics are well thought out for the expected queries. The group of priests divided the topics where as each offers a different technique. I am extremely pleased with the content and the sponsors are also learning in our continued faith formation. The "teaching" aspect is more on the line of Catholic prayers, we chose each month to highlight the typical prayers one would hear at mass. So in some sense there is a touch of RE in the program but not as intense as the confirmation of the 8th grade class!
Hope you all are having as much a positive experience as we are this year.
Be well,
Janet
Denver, PA
I saw there is another poster from our Diocese. See you at the Rite of Election!!!!
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sun, 05 February 2006 10:51 |
PhiMuAlpha2681
Messages: 714
Registered: November 2004
Location: Camp Hill, PA |
Senior Member |
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Janet,
I'll be there in my reserved seat.... at the organ console. 
(I'm thinking about a music program recruitment ad: "Want a reserved seat for Midnight Mass? Join the choir!")
~nb
[Updated on: Sun, 05 February 2006 10:52]
An artist can be truly evaluated only after he is dead. At the very 11th hour, he might do something that will eclipse everything else.
-- Van Cliburn
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| Re: Priest as speaker for RCIA |
Sun, 05 February 2006 15:12 |
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Great idea! This may also be used for Easter and Christmas advertisement.
I think I am to have tasks for this year's events. I am awaiting just 'what' these tasks will be for this Rite. The sound acoustics at the cathedral are so awesome as well as the vocalists - my favorite part and always brings tears to my eyes. I do have to share this - last year the girl I was sponsoring had to move out of state near to the Easter vigil, our priest allowed me to send her the lessons and finish with any questions via email. She really did not want to finish out in a church in a different state and without her family. I went to St. Patrick's as her sponsor with camera in hand to send her pictures. When I left the service there was a perfect pink rose bud by my front car wheel - I saved it for her as I knew her patron Saint was "The Little Flower" - we had a private baptism and confirmation for her in May at our mission chapel where I presented her with the rose bud that I placed in an acrylic case. The rose was still in perfect condition. Each year I sponsor something awesome happens!
Janet
(I'm thinking about a music program recruitment ad: "Want a reserved seat for Midnight Mass? Join the choir!")
~nb[/quote]
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