What RCIA teams struggle with most

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2 thoughts on “What RCIA teams struggle with most”

  1. Reading the questions and your responses, they all seem to focus on the same key issue, that is a process that meets the individuals need. Two things come to mind. 1) What would Jesus do. This is where I clash with most RCIA leaders. I doubt Jesus would say, “Go see the FFD and enroll in a program, and come back when you’re ready to be baptized.” No, its my understanding he said, put down your life and come follow me. I see this in the RCIA program mainly when leaders say, “its not a program, but a process.” Then they enter you into a two year program! 2) Are we thinking too individualistically? It would be great if we could have a class of one; or would it? Good sessions I’ve been privileged to be a part of would have the Protestant minister engaged with the unbaptized person, both helping and learning; Community!
    Brings me to my main focus, Sponsors. As a sponsor I brought my candidate to mass, studied Catholic teaching, introduced christian living as a way of life, discussed what was happening at sessions, and worked with RCIA leaders in focusing on where my candidate was and when to move on.
    Your bits on sponsoring and engaging the whole community really struck a positive cord with me. I was set on fire thinking, that’s really what this is about! While I struggle with Directors telling me that catechumen have to enter this “process” PROGRAM, I work with mine on a personal level bringing them into the community.

  2. Most of the topics listed above seem to focus on a one year preparation period. We never give an ending date only say that adult Baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil. I do tell them that the ideal time is three years, but it can be more or less depending upon their participation, discernment and the discernment of the team. Also candidates making a profession of faith do so at any time during the year. This is again a decision that requires prayerful discernment.

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