Rcia

[St. Catherine]

My RCIA experience (1998-1999) was great. I think there was about four of us who were baptized and another four that were confirmed. My teachers great and did mention to us that they were willing to teach or talk to us about NFP. Our class was really close. We all met a few times during the year for get togethers. The next year we had our own Bible study group that met once a week. I moved the next year, but last I heard the group was still meeting regularly. I think everything went so smoothly because the teachers made us feel welcome and comfortfortable. Some of the people that were baptized I think even became member of the RCIA team.
I must say though that I've a lot more since I've actually been Catholic.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

Grant, it sounds like your second year of rcia was much like my rcia. Except I didn't get my very own mass for confirmation.

[littleflower+JMJ]

i was listening to Catholic Answers and the topic was about the teachers of RCIA are lacking in religious education in different ways.

they said it tends to be a problem because many who are in RCIA end up knowing more than their teachers becuase the reason why their there is because they've already studied and gained much knowledge.

it comes in odd because many converts already know their bible, etc. really well and are left with getting fustrated with the class.

now they weren't saying that the RCIA teachers were dumb or anyting but that the depth of knowledge (the CCC, the bible, etc) of the faith, really needs to be there......they did mention great tools tho' to help.

i know its not easy to be a RCIA teacher cuz i myself am not smart enough but i just thought i would mentioned it cuz you have all been through RCIA before.

+JMJ+

[homeschoolmom]

I am really, really surprised with lack of uniformity of RCIA... with the Catholic Church's emphasis on unity, why not just create a curriculum for everyone to use? You could make it a year long overview of the Bible, the Catholic Church, the CCC and the rubrics... everyone would get the same information, the teachers couldn't cheat. etc.

[littleflower+JMJ]

i also do know many teachers are simply volunteers and there are always a need in many parishes...


i mean my parish doesn't even have a RCIA teacher (our priest does it)

[Apotheoun]

My experience with the RCIA program in 1987/88 was not all that good. The priest who led the program dissented from various aspects of both the moral and dogmatic teaching of the Magisterium. But I was able to get through the classes and do what I knew I was supposed to do, i.e., become Catholic.

[daugher-of-Mary]

I didn't actually go through RCIA because our parish being relatively small and Byzantine Rite rarely EVER has converts. My priest was overwhelmed by having three people (all from the same family) ask to be received into the Church in a space of 2 years. Once he recovered from the shock, we met with him regularly for instruction. It was a pretty good experience, but I think we all knew everything covered before beginning instruction. Wish we could have gone more indepth. In the space of 6 years since our conversion, we seem to have acquired most of Tan and Ignatius Publisher's inventory, so whatever details were lacking in instruction have certainly been made up for!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Jun 13 2004, 05:49 PM'] I am really, really surprised with lack of uniformity of RCIA... with the Catholic Church's emphasis on unity, why not just create a curriculum for everyone to use? You could make it a year long overview of the Bible, the Catholic Church, the CCC and the rubrics... everyone would get the same information, the teachers couldn't cheat. etc. [/quote]
good point. it would be nice to have one uniform, orthodox RCIA program. think we could persuade someone like Scott Hahn to make one up? hee hee

[Guest TruthSeeker]

[color=red][Edited by dUSt: Negative criticism of the current magisterium][/color]

[p0lar_bear]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Jun 13 2004, 08:49 PM'] I am really, really surprised with lack of uniformity of RCIA... with the Catholic Church's emphasis on unity, why not just create a curriculum for everyone to use? You could make it a year long overview of the Bible, the Catholic Church, the CCC and the rubrics... everyone would get the same information, the teachers couldn't cheat. etc. [/quote]
It's the same as with elementary school and high school texts, the Church doesn't just write a universal one because there are too many pastoral considerations that have to be taken into account. Catechsis in tribal Africa is going to have to focus on different things and be presented in a different way than catechsis in urban America....the truths remain the same, but which truths need to be emphasized and how the truths are best presented change.

Another difficulty with RCIA texts is that there are so many different levels represented, from an agnostic showing up because he met the most beautiful girl in the world to Brother Adam, who knows more than most catechists. It's difficult to write a text that can address the needs of everyone.

That said, we do need good texts to help all the volunteer catechists. The Association for Catechumenal Ministry is working on one that should be out this year or next. I think it's going to be more of a guide and handouts than an actual text so that it can be adjusted to fit the needs of the group.

Edited June 17, 2004 by p0lar_bear

[p0lar_bear]

I just know I'm goint to regret this, but I can't just leave it be...


[quote]Lastly, concerning R.C.I.A., " RCIA is the New Order's "Christian Initiation of Adults," replacing the traditional Sacrament of Baptism. It is full of an amalgam of naturalism, environmentalism, a bit of voodoo, wicca (a simplified version of
Satanic witchcraft for mass consumption), and some Protestant traits all
mixed together, but absent is genuine Catholicism. (By the way, RCIA was
never approved, even by the Modern Vatican.)" -[/quote]

Setting aside the attack against the Church Herself....

To put it mildly, this is absolute carp.

The RCIA in no way replaces Baptism, it is a process of preparation for the sacrament (ergo, the big Easter Vigil liturgy with Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Eucharists). It is actually a renewal of the processes used in the 4th century Church.

The process involves a number of major and minor rites (such as the Rite of Welcoming and the Scrutinies). It also involves catechesis and guided Scripture reflection (e.g. Breaking Open the Word).

I'm not saying every parish and catechist does it properly and I'm not saying that individuals never bring in elements that are contrary to the Faith. What I am saying is that the RCIA is fully in line with "genuine Catholicism."

Oh, and the Church has issued the book of guidelines and rites for the RCIA, so it is indeed approved.

[Lil Red]

polar, as far as TruthSeeker, from the stuff that has been posted by him (her?) it really looks like they are traditionalist in the sense of pre-Vatican stuff.

sorry if i'm being obvious.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='p0lar_bear' date='Jun 17 2004, 01:34 PM'] I just know I'm goint to regret this, but I can't just leave it be...

To put it mildly, this is absolute carp.
[/quote]
I hope you don't regret it, PB... I agree with you 100%-- it's carp....

BTW, a Methodist baptism is indeed valid.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Jun 17 2004, 02:38 PM'] BTW, a Methodist baptism is indeed valid. [/quote]
As long as it's done in the Trinitarian formula (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). That's the key factor. Any baptism is valid which was done in this manner.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Jun 17 2004, 02:58 PM'] As long as it's done in the Trinitarian formula (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). That's the key factor. Any baptism is valid which was done in this manner. [/quote]
I've yet to see one that wasn't...