RCIA Experiences?

[jgaudino]

I'm curious how any of you may have handled problematic situations at RCIA as a sponsor.

I have been at my Parish about 3 years but never been a sponsor (at this parish). I was asked by a friend who has rather orthodox views like myself (faithful to magesterium etc).

My first night a very "well churched" Protestant asked, "Whats all this stuff about Mary?" and the "catechist" explained it was a nice way to "feminize our overly masculine hierarchy" in the church.

Sooooo... after I closed my mouth and got up off the floor I politely added some things to his explanation. Needless to say I got a talking to after class because I might scare people away.

Mind you - I did a 1 minute superficial treatment of Mary as "first Christian", conduit of the incarnation and mentioned that she was understood by many in the early Church as the "New Eve" and closed by saying that marian devotions are not required. Really without much more detail than what I am posting.

I love my parish (a cathedral) and ithe Pastor although we part on many subjects theologically. I doubt approaching him would make one iota of difference (nor my unfortunately extremely liberal Archbishop) soooo... here is the question of sorts:

Do I stay and hang tough - hoping that perhaps I can make a difference in one person's life as sponsor or bag it? It is downright painful at times to listen to "catechists" butcher the teachings of the faith so profoundly.

Previously - years ago at a parish I left because the "catechist" insisted that the Eucharist was the "spirit of the risen Christ only" not the Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity as the Catechism states.

Any thoughts? My inclination is to see who I am paired with before making a decision in the hopes that perhaps I can make some difference in that persons catechesis and formation but I not so hopeful about changing a major cathedral's RCIA team - and yet I will feel guilty if I do slink away as that is how the problem got so bad in the first place!

- John

 

[KennySe]

John, Peace be with you.

Welcome to OBOB.

We do have some RCIA sponsors here, and we do have some RCIA participants too, so hopefully you will get perspectives from both sides of this.

I'm neither. I'm just a cradle Catholic.

I think you should definitely stick with it. We cannot let the weeds drive away the wheat. Tough words from a guy who ain't in your shoes, I know.
I think you should have a Catechism with you, and a one-page "cheat sheet" ready.
The cheat sheet would have which paragraph # 9and page number) to find key points on various subjects. So if the Real presence of jesus in the Eucharist comes up in conversation, and some sponosr gives an answer like you mentioned happened one time, well, you look at that cheat sheet you have folded in the Catechism and you flip right to where the Catholic Church teaches the Real presence which IS the bosy, blood, soul, and divinity."

My prayers are with you.

And welcome to OBOB.

 

[Magisterium]

ACtually, I'm an RCIA instructor. I know what you mean. There is a definite problem with Catechesis within our Church (Particularly in the US). This is my first year as an RCIA instructor, however, I have many veterans of the faith come to the class and they're absolutely amazed at the content (much of which they themselves don't know). I'm Writing a curriculum this year. I then plan to refine it and write catechist lectures to go with it next year. After next year's round (next Easter Vigil), I'll submit it for the Imprimature and Nihil Obstat. Then I'll publish it for free online. Stay tuned... I also intend to write another class for "Cradle Catholics" who want to know more. I'm always amazed at how receptive people are to learning about their faith, but how little effort many are willing to put forth to aquire the knowledge. At any rate, If the Lord wills it, I'll be making it easier in the years to come...

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

I'd fight the good fight and try to educate the catechists...ironic, eh? Anyway, maybe you can go over their heads to the Bishop of your region and force some corrections?

 

[Magisterium]

I'd fight the good fight and try to educate the catechists...ironic, eh? Anyway, maybe you can go over their heads to the Bishop of your region and force some corrections?

Just a word of caution, generally before taking it to the bishop, you'll want to have already at least spoken to your Director of Religious ed (If there is one) and/or the Parish pastor. If you can't get things squared away with them, you might then try appealing to the Bishop. However, just piping up during the classes, respectfully "adding pertinent information" may do well to show that you are genuniely interested in making sure the facts are straight. In my case, that was enough to get me front and center this year. Again however, I can't stress enough the importance of humility and patience. In This is a problem which has been around for a few decades. We're not gonna fix it overnight. But we are gonna fix it! (Lord willing).

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Magisterium is correct.

 

[Metanoia02]

John,

I would encourage you to continue as a sponsor. As a sponsor your first obligation is to the person you are sponsoring. Make sure they know the truth about what the Church teaches. If you are able to share this with the rest of the RCIA class great. Do not expect much to chang though, not right away.

I have had a bad experience myself as an RCIA team member. RCIA at my parish turned into a faith sharing group. We would read the Scripture for the week then discuss how the cadidates felt about it. Rarely were they ever instructed as to what the Church taught regarding particular doctrine. When they I tried to do this, it usually ended up by sponsors and team member giving there opinion on subjects regardless of what the Church taught. In the end the candidates were allowed to simply decide for themselves what they wanted to believe. No correction was ever really given.

After a year I decided that was not a ministery for me. Unfortuantely I live in liberla parish and a liberal Diocese. I try my best to correct mistakes when I see them, but I am in a minority here. If this is my cross to bare. So be it.

Peace

 

[kimber1]

i haven't yet entered the RCIA classes but what exactly does the sponser do?

 

[NDIrish]

i haven't yet entered the RCIA classes but what exactly does the sponser do?

The sponsor is kind of like your mentor throughout the process.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Can. 892 As far as possible the person to be confirmed is to have a sponsor. The sponsor's function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfils the duties inherent in this sacrament.


Fight the good fight

 

[jgaudino]

Thanks everyone - I suppose I will stay teh course and try to be patient.

I suppose thats the bigger issue - if we DON'T "take back" our faith from those who seek to distort it things will only get worse.

My previous RCIA experience I mentioned in teh first post was horrible and was too overwhelming for me. This parish isthe Cathedral though and there is a mix of very liberal people and those faithful to the magesterium - Sooo at least there is some chance here of impacting the process I suppose.

- John