Five things your RCIA team may not know about the dismissal

12 thoughts on “Five things your RCIA team may not know about the dismissal”

  1. I’ve been looking at our dismissal practices in our parish now. Currently, we dismiss everyone (catechumens and candidates) because after BOW we have the catechetical session. It seems it could easily be timed to have the BOW session finish by the end of Mass (we have to meet in a different building, so I don’t know that logistically going back over to church for the final blessing would be feasible.
    If the BOW is timed to the end of Mass, it would seem acceptable to me to have the catechetical session then, when the candidates could naturally join us. Anyone have thoughts on this?

  2. We dismiss catechumens every week from the time of the Rite of Acceptance until the Easter Vigil…including Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday. This year we have 1 adult and 5 children…all of them are dismissed. We rotate at which Masses the dismissals and scrutinies take place so as to have the whole parish community develop an awareness of what is happening and who is involved in RCIA. The adult meets with one parish faith sharer and the children meet together with another faith sharer.

  3. Charles Green

    Hi,

    One small correction in the title of #5. Catechumens are Catholics, they just have not been baptized yet. Should be Keep the baptized catholics in mass.

    I have just been pointed to your website and the few things I have read so far are great. I have been doing RCIA for many years and think things like your site are very much needed.

    Thank you,

    Love,

    Charley Green

  4. Gosh – I got to this new parish in the middle of the year – dismissal? GUESS who goes!!!
    Catechumens, sponsors, AND Team Members AND Catholic Adults seeking Confirmation!!!!! Needless to say, I’ve pared that down to catechumens and catechist for BOW!

  5. Derek Icenhour

    Charley,
    I don’t think that is correct. Baptism is what makes us part of the Body of Christ. Therefore, I don’t think you can rightly say that catechumens (the unbaptized) are Catholics.

    YIC,
    Derek

  6. In our parish we do dismissal throughout the summer, but we end the extended sessions on Pentecost Sunday. As for our baptized candidates our director always tells them that they do not have to dismiss but if they would like to they may, most choose to dismiss because they enjoy BOW, we have had a couple of candidates choose to stay at Mass.

  7. DebbieElizondo

    Last Advent was the first step we took to implementing the year-round R.C.I.A, and with that, learning to be more true to the RCIA itself. We separated the Rites of Welcome and Acceptance and had them on separate weekends, at different Mass times. The second step was not asking the baptized to dismiss. We didn’t know what to do with the uncatechized baptized folks though; that was a gray area. It was suggested to us to give these folks some options and let them take the lead. I explained what would occur in the BOW sessions, and suggested that perhaps they choose 2 sessions a month to dismiss and when they felt ready, stay at Mass for the duration.

    What was a learning curve for my team was trusting the baptized candidates to actually attend Mass and not “checking in” with one of us. We asked the sponsors to attend with their candidates as often as possible and this seemed to help. We know we still have some refinements to make as we implement the full year-round R.C.I.A., but letting go was a big step!

  8. Thanks for underlining and affirming what we do here at St.Anne’s. I agree with your observations and sharing about dismissals. This aspect of the Catechumenate journey is definitely most important.
    Many of our catechumens say that dismissal was their favor moment and most helpful in establishing a relations with our God.Thanks and blessings on yo ministry. Dianne

  9. Gladys Whitehouse

    We have year round RCIA with the dismissal. However, candidates are dismissed with catechumens. I am trying to change this since learning that the baptized should stay through Mass. It’s been diifcult to implement that change. We also ahve dismissal for the children but only twice a month – and again both candidates and catechumens.

    Team RCIA has been such a great resource! Thank you for all you do.

  10. I’m currently in RCIA as I’ve never been confirmed but am a practicing Catholic. I’m disturbed that everyone in the program no matter what phase they are in are being dismissed and told we are not allowed to take communion. I feel I’m being asked to take steps backwards so I’m pleased to see the information on your site.

    1. Hi Kathy. I’m sorry that happened to you. Practicing Catholics should never be dismissed from Mass. Nor should they be in the RCIA. Blessings on your journey.

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