RCIA

[Boadicea]

Last autumn a weekly evening course started in a Parish - described as being for anyone interested in knowing a little more about the Catholic faith.

Those attending now find that they're to go to the cathedral at the end of February, and will be received into the church at Easter. One person, who's never even been to a Mass yet, hasn't been seen since. Others, when they express their concerns, are told that all will be fine if they have faith, and put aside their uncertainties.

I wonder if RCIA is handled like this in any other parish.

[Anne]

In my parish there is a 'Journey in Faith group'. It has been going for several years, and the participants can join when they like (the Holy Spirit doesn't necessarily nudge people only at the beginning of the Academic Year), and they are received / baptised / confirmed when they feel that they are ready. Some people who come with no religious background may come for a couple of years before they take the plunge, while those who have some background may be received in to the community sooner. We have one participant who comes because she is interested in knowing more about God, faith, commitment etc, she has no intention of 'becoming a Catholic', she just comes because she is interested.

I am sure that our 'Journey in Faith' group is not perfect, but it seems to work

[VML]

Isn't RCIA a terrible acromyn when we are trying to encourage enquirers. Somehow it has worked well in this parish on and off for nearly 20 years, but that is more to do with the people involved. I have only had very little experience of it.

There is certainly not the kind of pressure Boadicea's parish appears to use.

I know some parishes/ dioceses use ABC: About Being Cathoilc, which would be more likely to encourage me if I was searching.

V

[musicus]

As an educationalist in my spare time, I wonder whether Boadicea's parish hasn't been given some targets to meet!

It's certainly not the way to go about it, that's for sure.