RCIA Witness Talk - Jane Doyle
February 23/24, 2008
Good morning/evening everyone. I want to let you in on one of the Church’s best kept secrets; The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or RCIA. This process is for people interested in joining the Catholic Church coming either as baptized Christians (a candidate) or unbaptized (a catechumen). As many of you may already know, the second Vatican Council returned RCIA to the fore after many years of behind closed door training and quiet Baptisms and Confirmations. Now that it is back in the light, lets look at it a bit, and I’ll tell you why I am involved.
Every Fall we, the team, begin a journey of faith with inquirers who are engaged in a year long process. These inquirers are just that; inquiring into the Catholic faith and discerning if it is right for them. We discuss tenets of the Church, rites, concepts, the sacraments, and a whole host of topics. But these discussions don’t just happen, there is planning involved, and that is where you can get in on this little secret. Join the team.
Now just why would I want to join the team you might ask. I am busy enough (as I am sure you are). But let me tell you the selfish reasons why I am on the team, and you might just sign up, too.
As a team member I am given the privilege of walking along with the inquirers on their faith journey, and to help them any way I can as they discern and learn about the Catholic Church. And along this journey, I discern and learn about my faith and the Catholic Church. I get to watch them as their faith grows feeling the growth in myself at the same time. They are wondering about this Church as I am becoming more convinced with each passing meeting that this is my faith and I am proud to profess it. Also I learn so much from them. Their insights into prayer, scripture, and so many things, open up whole new ideas for me. Sometimes I feel guilty about how much I am learning when I bear the title catechist meaning I am the one to be teaching. As a cradle Catholic my formal religious training ended after Catholic grade school, but in RCIA I have found a treasure trove of knowledge. The team members give presentations on various topics throughout the year. And I can tell you that you really do learn a lot when you have to teach. But do not fear that you are just expected to do the research alone. Mary Boris is a great resource and very willing to help. Notes from past presentations are available, too. And these presentations are given in a collaborative way. Everyone chimes in and helps keep the discussion going by witnessing and sharing their own stories.
I have twice been given the great privilege of being a sponsor, someone who walks closely with the candidate or catechumen. You really do not know what something means to you until you are asked to share it. Suddenly you are asked to answer direct questions about what you believe and why, how you deal with tough issues like where the Church stands on abortion and women in the clergy, what do certain difficult scripture passages mean to you, and of course you need to answer honestly, but only after discerning for yourself the answers. It is eye opening and a vehicle for faith building. And usually, well for me anyway, I come to the conclusion that my faith is a beautiful gift that I am so happy to share with my soon to be godchild. It is a faith building that goes both ways. We, together, come to a greater understanding of what being Catholic means to each of us as individuals, and as community, making the celebration of the sacraments on Holy Saturday a truly joyous occasion.
I have found that after spending this time walking and discerning with the inquirers, the vigil on Holy Saturday is so much more meaningful than it ever was before. This beautiful Liturgy of rebirth becomes the best three hours of my liturgical year. I keep telling you how much you will get out of joining the RCIA team or becoming a sponsor and it is true. I believe it is the consolation of the Holy Spirit when doing something so good feels so good!
Please consider getting better acquainted with RCIA, with this little secrete of the Church. I truly believe that you will come to feel as I do and start telling others so the secrete gets out of the bag.
Thank you.