Eight essential shifts in forming teenagers in the RCIA process

5 thoughts on “Eight essential shifts in forming teenagers in the RCIA process”

  1. Rita Burns Senseman

    Wow, thought provoiking! I have three teenagers and this article makes me think that I need to “Let go and let the teens”…decide,learn, explore! To answer the 6th question, I would say that I could move to a more customized faith formation process for teens in the RCIA by letting THEM decide what they’d like to discuss and explore. When my 17 year old daughter’s catechist let the kids decide what the “topic” would be, she quit complaining about going to religious education. Maybe I need to do MORE of that with teens in RCIA. Thanks, Nick!

  2. Whoa! God is good!
    In the last 4 days, I’ve just had 3 teens inquire about RCIA. Plus, I’m in the middle of a redesign of our Confirmation Prep program. This gives me plenty to mull over.

  3. Rosie Hernandez

    This is a question I have struggled with for the past four years, as we have more and more teens brought for full initiation. I have adapted and changed and modified each year, trying to find the “right” way….but I guess you are right! Each teen–indeed, each inquirer–is different, and we need to be flexible and listen more to what they want to learn and how to best help them make connections to their faith. Instead of viewing their constant need for internet and texting as a distraction, I need to embrace it and let it remnd me that they want to keep in touch with the world and with in each other, just in very different ways than I did at that age! Making me rethink my approach, once again! Thank you!!

  4. Thanks Nick! This is just what I was looking for. I am meeting with my catechists for teens in a few hours. Perfect for teens not in the RCIA process too!!

  5. My one concern with this approach (or rather an exageration of it)—that we lose the understanding that we (the catechist) have things to give. Of course, not of our own, but from the riches of the Church.
    Catechesis should not be simply “choose your own adventure” and “find your truth inside you.” It is instead “echoing down to another.” We, the Church, have been give the Deposit of Faith, the divine revelation of truths that must be known and lived. While catechists, just like any secular youth worker, want to meet kids where they are, we must be convinced that leading them to be transformed by Christ, through His teaching, the Sacraments, and Christian relationships, is the best place for their adventure to lead.

    I think this post supports this approach too, recognizing Jesus as the answer to their deepest longing and suggesting the Catechism and the Liturgy as sources of information. A complete capitulation of our role as teacher is dangerous though.

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