Why one catechist stopped doing RCIA

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6 thoughts on “Why one catechist stopped doing RCIA”

  1. Great article. Being a catechist in RCIA, I have experienced this many many times. I had one teen who was pretty much an atheist. I was asked many times how things were. Fine I said. They really were not, but just as Christ has patience with us, we too are called to have love and patience. It is not me who does conversion. I plant the seed. The Spirit does the rest. I have had kids with ADHD, Autism, and other issues that others say are not ready. All we do is push them away. That is unacceptable. We must remember, we are to continue Christ’s mission here on earth, and this path to sainthood is messy till the very end.

  2. I would never turn anyone away, nor pretend I can read their minds or know their hearts, as long as they keep showing up, on time or late, there is some movement going on. They may have to wait till the next Easter Vigil, and many of them do. As an aerospace engineer, Adult RCIA Catechist and Past Grand Knight in The Knights of Columbus I know how hectic life can get, and it does not mean I am not putting Christ 1st. Like our New Pope, we must be Pastoral, I always recommend Catechists take a Pastoral Class along with their Catechists Classes. I like Ralph’s response. I have had classes vote with-out me present saying they thought a certain person was not ready for RCIA or to be Catechized as he also missed several classes. I reminded them of the story of the protocol son, many were still disturbed and even snubbed him because they had to attend every class and he didn’t, what business is it of theirs? The young man in question just completed his 2nd year as a seminarian, most of the others from that class I never see at mass. I would say 75% of the Catachisis takes place after Pentecost, when the class is through. As so it should, and did with the apostles.
    All is Grace,
    Mike Murphy

  3. I am so grateful for this article from you Nick. It is a reminder of what we really are about in the RCIA ministry. I will be sure to send this on to parish diretors, coordinators, team members, and others who are in a class our diocese offers for Christian Initiation team formation. I have always included the philosophy that we should “be meeting the needs” of our people but what you have given us as an pastoral example is much more specific, and eye-opening.

  4. The Holy Spirit strikes again!
    I’m looking at putting together criteria of readiness for the Rite of Acceptance and Rite of Election, based on RCIA #42 and #120. Initiation is messy business, but I think having clear expectations for those on the journey (which they could do some self-evaluation with) and those accompanying them would be helpful. Anyone have something like this criteria that they use?
    This article reminds me of the need to pay attention to the person, not just stubbornly hold up a measuring stick.

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