Formation for Catholic converts

[Andres88]

Recently, my pastor gave me notice of at least three different men who recently became Catholic (at heart). I don't have much information on whether they are already baptized or not, but they were ex-Pentecostals or ex-Nondenominationals. Since I was an ex-Baptist, he wanted me to help create a group or structure a special formation program for Catholic converts.

I'm still unsure on how to go with this. My formation started with my conversion, through reading about Patristics, history of Christianity, the Catechism, and the Bible, but it was not a program or anything. To me, this is something that has to be done on a case by case basis, but at the same time, it would be helpful if all of them took the same teachings together.

I thought about Apologetics, but also thought about starting with the sacraments. The Catechism starts with the Creed, so that would also be a good way to start. There's also some basic liturgy things that would be good to consider since the beginning (such as the people's responses for the Mass, or when to genuflect, kneel, stand up, or bow).

So far, I'm not very clear on what to do or how to start. What are your suggestions?

 

[Michie]

Don't you guys have Mystagogia? That's the formation most converts go to after acceptance into the Church.

 

[Anhelyna]

I think the first question should be - have they formally , canonically become Catholics as yet - i.e. have they Received the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism [ if required] Confirmation and First Communion

 

[Michie]

I think I'm confused.

 

[New Legacy]

Recently, my pastor gave me notice of at least three different men who recently became Catholic (at heart). I don't have much information on whether they are already baptized or not, but they were ex-Pentecostals or ex-Nondenominationals. Since I was an ex-Baptist, he wanted me to help create a group or structure a special formation program for Catholic converts.

I'm still unsure on how to go with this. My formation started with my conversion, through reading about Patristics, history of Christianity, the Catechism, and the Bible, but it was not a program or anything. To me, this is something that has to be done on a case by case basis, but at the same time, it would be helpful if all of them took the same teachings together.

I thought about Apologetics, but also thought about starting with the sacraments. The Catechism starts with the Creed, so that would also be a good way to start. There's also some basic liturgy things that would be good to consider since the beginning (such as the people's responses for the Mass, or when to genuflect, kneel, stand up, or bow).

So far, I'm not very clear on what to do or how to start. What are your suggestions?

Are these people who will be joining the Church? In the US, they undergo the RCIA program setup in the west after Vatican II. I am guessing in your area most people are Catholic and so the priest teaches and forms those who are not?

 

[Andres88]

Don't you guys have Mystagogia? That's the formation most converts go to after acceptance into the Church.

We do have RCIA, which is what I went through when I got baptized/confirmed/received first Communion. However, I think this is more like some sort of inquiry on whether or not they really want to be Catholics, as there are many cases of people who supposedly want to become Catholics, but it turns out that all they wanted was to get a first hand experience and then ditch it in the place where they "left."

The RCIA in the Dominican Republic doesn't last enough. It's merely 2 months or something, so there's something that probably is missed in the process. Saying this by experience, as I basically investigated everything before taking RCIA, and it really didn't teach me anything new.

I think the first question should be - have they formally , canonically become Catholics as yet - i.e. have they Received the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism [ if required] Confirmation and First Communion

That's something I still need to know. I'm meeting with one of them during this week to have an informal talk, share our testimonies, and see whether or not he received the sacraments of initiation.

Are these people who will be joining the Church? In the US, they undergo the RCIA program setup in the west after Vatican II. I am guessing in your area most people are Catholic and so the priest teaches and forms those who are not?

Yeah, here most people are Catholic. My pastor just wants to start some sort of formation/initiation program geared specifically toward new converts. That's something that has been lacking here, but there are many reports of people on other parishes in the archdiocese who are ex-protestants and who would probably be benefited with a program that acknowledges their background as a framework to go for the process of either initiation or formation.

 

[mickey30981]

Check out or write to the Coming Home Network or Catholics Come Home. See if they have references to any programs or information. And just talk to any and all converts to see what they think might be helpful.