Recently, I was at a liturgy with what appeared to be some unsponsored catechumens. Perhaps they had sponsors, and the sponsors were just absent that day. Still, I wondered how that happened. In sponsor training sessions, it is important to emphasize the crucial role sponsors play on Sundays. Here are nine tasks for sponsors to attend to when caring for their catechumens on the Lord’s Day.

1. Pick up your catechumen for Mass or meet him or her at the entrance to the church. The catechumen shouldn’t have to walk into church alone.
2. If your catechumen misses Mass, make a follow up call on Sunday afternoon.
3. If you have to miss Mass, find a substitute to be with your catechumen.
4. Show your catechumen how to bless him or herself with holy water from the font.
5. Introduce your catechumen to at least one new parishioner each Sunday.
6. Show your catechumen how to genuflect and bow. If the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, behind the altar, you would genuflect before entering your pew. If the tabernacle is off to the side or in a separate space, you would bow to the altar before entering your pew.
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7. Show your catechumen how to use the parish worship aid or hymnal.
8. Always sing and respond to the ritual dialogue to provide a good example for the catechumen.
9. After Mass, join your catechumen for the catechetical gathering. If there is no catechetical gathering, touch base and say goodbye before going home.

What’s missing? Can you think of other tasks for RCIA sponsors? Add to the list by clicking on the comments link below.

See also these related articles:

• Listening skills for RCIA sponsors
• How do you train sponsors for the RCIA?
• 20 ideas for finding sponsors
• Sponsors: Nine must-know facts

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