How to reboot an RCIA program

dje101 · #1 Jun 1, '12, 8:45 pm

Hey everybody!

So I've been in talk with my pastor about rebooting our RCIA program. For those of you who have either done this already, are planning on it, or who have been through a good program, what are some good characteristics to have of a good RCIA program?

Thanks

melodyleeper · #2 Jun 2, '12, 8:15 am

I think the one of the best attributes from my RCIA program was it was informal for the inquiry. I sat with a couple of ladies and we had coffee and talked. Its important to have a dedicated sponsor and even more important the preist gets to know the canidates.In two years of tuesdays I saw him once. I could not decide if he thought I was not worthy of being Catholic or if he just liked cradle catholics. I still do not know. I got excellant information from my classes and they answered all my questions. Good Luck to you and God Bless I am very happy you decided to reboot because you may get more canidates.

dje101 · #3 Jun 2, '12, 3:16 pm

See, we didn't even have the inquiry period. I called, gave them my phone number, and they said they'd give me a call when they had the start date.

I got a call a couple of weeks later saying when it was starting, and I just went.

That was it.

So, tip #1, have a good inquiry period.

beth40n2 · #4 Jun 2, '12, 8:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

See, we didn't even have the inquiry period. I called, gave them my phone number, and they said they'd give me a call when they had the start date.

I got a call a couple of weeks later saying when it was starting, and I just went.

That was it.

So, tip #1, have a good inquiry period.

Not all priests do it that way. I had a few classes with one priest and then decided I was going to join a church closer to home and that priest did a private RCIA. I called him once a week after reading the Catechism, when he felt I was ready, he said I could recieve Jesus. It was very informal, but for me it was great getting to know the priest personally. I have known him for almost 8 years now. He just announced tonight he is being moved to another church, very sad time after mass.

paligan · #5 Jun 11, '12, 7:31 pm

I will begin RCIA in september, do I take it that all classes are different?

dje101 · #6 Jun 11, '12, 8:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paligan

I will begin RCIA in september, do I take it that all classes are different?

To put it simply, some programs are better than others. I've had quite a few problems with mine and am hoping that my pastor will allow me to help fix the issues.

My advice to you is do plenty of research on your own, and be willing to correct your teachers or call them out on things that you know are not orthodox church teaching.

Neofight · #7 Jun 11, '12, 9:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

My advice to you is do plenty of research on your own, and be willing to correct your teachers or call them out on things that you know are not orthodox church teaching.

But, always correct them or call them out with liberal doses of humility, please!

Blessings and all good.

neofight

dje101 · #8 Jun 11, '12, 9:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neofight

But, always correct them or call them out with liberal doses of humility, please!

Blessings and all good.

neofight

Hahaha, yes, of course. I kind of thought that would be a given, but yes, correct them in a spirit of humility and charity. Remember, it's not correcting them for the sake of being right and one upping them, it's correcting them so that they will know the truth, as well as teach it to the next group of Catechumens/candidates who enter the church. We are a family. We don't want to damage relationships because of pride.