Comments on: Who should lead your RCIA process?

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:30:27 +0000

Hi Anne. Thanks for sharing your process. It’s always helpful to have the voice of experience. Keep up the great work!

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:22:32 +0000

Michelle. I run my RCIA year round as well and 98% of the time meet with inquirers before they come to the group. It helps to talk about the sensitive aspects of the person’s background in private. If they want to share later at sessions, they have that option. If I have someone come a day or two before a session, i invite them to attend to “check it out”, but also try to meet with them before the actual session begins to do that interview. It’s a little rushed, so I shy away from doing it that way most of the time. Meeting someone before also gives me a feel of how the person may “fit in”, so I’ll know when they do attend a session what is sensitive and what isn’t.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:19:47 +0000

Hi Michelle. It sounds like you have a great process in place. And kudos to you for welcoming people in every season of the church year!

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:15:26 +0000

I liked this article-especially the part about developing leadership. But I have a question- do most parishes or RCIA directors do an initial interview with each person interested? I do an interview with each person before they come to an Inquiry session. I have several reasons for doing this- to find the right sponsor for the person, to get an idea of their background and religious beliefs, and to discuss what might be difficult or sensitive issues. I also give them an idea of the process since my parish offers RCIA year round- people begin at all different times. This helps me in presenting and discussing difficult things. If needed, I’ll refer them to the Pastor, but most of the time we can work through difficulties in the sessions. I find that this helps all of the people who are in the different stages. Of course, I’m in a very small parish with a very small number of candidates and catechumens, but I think that this could be a good tool even in a large parish.