Comments on: Is my pastor right about dismissal?

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:52:40 +0000

Hi Suzanne. Thanks for your post. I’m a little fuzzy, however, on why the candidates would need to be dismissed before the end of the liturgy to accomplish the goals you list.

We dismiss the baptized candidates with the rest of the assembly after the final blessing. They then gather in a meeting space to participate in breaking open the word. All of the bonding, pondering, and praying happens, just as you point out. But it happens after Mass.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:10:54 +0000

I disagree that the baptized should not be dismissed. There are three cases that you have in RCIA:
1. Unbaptized & uncatechized (non-Christian or never had any religion whatsoever)
2. Baptized & uncatechized (Protestant)
3. Baptized & catechized (Catholic who left the church after they had first communion but were never confirmed)
The only case in which I can see them not being dismissed is the 3rd case. And even then, I would leave it up to the candidate if they wanted to or not. There is an important thing that takes place in dismissals for an RCIA group each year – dismissals is (or can and should be) a real bonding moment for that group as they take their journey into the Catholic Church. This is there time to discuss, ponder, pray, ask questions as a unit together the most. To be there for each other. This is the moment when they are not being catechized, talked at, etc. So the 3rd case might find it a useful and important part of their journey back to the church. To see and experience the fresh faith of others coming to it new. I just think that the group should be kept together as much as possible. They are all in different places – yes. However, that bonding during the RCIA process, if done right, I have found to be a forever thing as I have taught RCIA and it can actually be quite important to keeping them active once mystogogia is over with. So I think the only case that they don’t have to leave is the 3rd case and even then, I think they should be encouraged to attend dismissal.

By: Victoria Flynn

Victoria Flynn — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:13:16 +0000

I’ve been in two parishes, one which doesn’t dismiss the baptized, and the other one does. I would think it would depend upon whether the candidate was catechized or not. If there is needed foundation in scripture, then dismissal may be a good thing. There’s times where the baptized weren’t dismissed, and stated later they would like to be dismissed because of the growth experienced through the dismissal.

By: Anne Ferry

Anne Ferry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:30 +0000

Disagree. Just because a person is unbaptized doesn’t mean they cannot pray. They have made a choice to become part of the Catholic Church, are attending Mass at a different time, and are learning prayers. All get dismissed or all stay.