Our World May Have Changed - Our Mission Has Not
By Kate McLean
COVID presented challenges for those of us working in RCIA. How could we manage with closed churches? How could we adapt with such limited contact in our parishes? How would we identify those people searching for Jesus in their lives?
Schools were closed; schoolwork was sent home; parents became the tutors of their children. But the Holy Spirit was working even then. I was approached by three parents from our parish school who, after months of finishing religion topics and writing prayers with their young children, decided that they wanted to become Catholic ‘to share this with their children’. Those three parents are now part of our parish family. When I see them at Mass on Sundays, I offer a silent prayer of thanks. Sometimes sacramental preparation for families has been the start of the journey.
RCIA is a very special ministry to me, mainly because the catechumens and candidates choose to want Jesus in their lives and to get to know Christ better. Leaders and catechumens see that prayer becomes our communication with Jesus and sustains us through thick and thin.
Schools were closed; schoolwork was sent home; parents became the tutors of their children. But the Holy Spirit was working even then. I was approached by three parents from our parish school who, after months of finishing religion topics and writing prayers with their young children, decided that they wanted to become Catholic ‘to share this with their children’. Those three parents are now part of our parish family. When I see them at Mass on Sundays, I offer a silent prayer of thanks. Sometimes sacramental preparation for families has been the start of the journey.
RCIA is a very special ministry to me, mainly because the catechumens and candidates choose to want Jesus in their lives and to get to know Christ better. Leaders and catechumens see that prayer becomes our communication with Jesus and sustains us through thick and thin.
COVID challenged me again to see the RCIA journey as growth in love of God and in understanding of the gospel stories. It is not a ‘program’ of parish meetings that starts in September and ends at Easter. It is frightening to hear stories of people turned away because it’s too early – No, the ‘parish RCIA program’ does not start for two months!
RCIA is much more than that. It is a journey that is personal and geared toward each individual and what they need. Everyone comes with a different history. How long the journey takes will vary. For experienced leaders, it’s almost as though you know when someone is ready to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church because you have been journeying with them.
An older man who had never been baptised had been bringing his Catholic wife to Mass for 37 years. He would come forward at communion time to receive a blessing. One day (in God’s time!) he decided he was ready. His RCIA team had a very easy time of preparation because they were not starting from scratch. He had been living the gospel stories all through his married life.
RCIA is much more than that. It is a journey that is personal and geared toward each individual and what they need. Everyone comes with a different history. How long the journey takes will vary. For experienced leaders, it’s almost as though you know when someone is ready to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church because you have been journeying with them.
An older man who had never been baptised had been bringing his Catholic wife to Mass for 37 years. He would come forward at communion time to receive a blessing. One day (in God’s time!) he decided he was ready. His RCIA team had a very easy time of preparation because they were not starting from scratch. He had been living the gospel stories all through his married life.
Children can become evangelisers through their classmates at school and through their parents chatting to one another. I was approached by a mum from our local parish school. She had come home one day and launched into a rant about work. Her daughter in Year 2 said Mum sit down. Jesus will look after everything. He's right here (patting her shoulder) and you'll be OK. This mum had not been baptised and asked me whether she could become a Catholic like her children. With the help of her two children, it was a most beautiful journey. It was celebrated in the parish with the support of many school families. In fact it is not unusual for the children at parish schools and those preparing for the sacraments to be evangelisers of their parents. It always amazes me how much children take in and what they know.
For me, the whole parish needs to be involved in the RCIA journey. There are so many simple ways to make catechumens feel they are part of the faith community: coffee after Mass, personal invitations to parish activities, sharing dinner with people from the parish, special welcome at Mass and, especially if they have children, involving them in activities surrounding the parish Mass. An effective sponsor is crucial in accompanying the candidate and drawing them into the life of the parish.
As part of the early gatherings with our ‘seekers’, I ask some members of the parish to come to talk about their faith. I have always been amazed by their honesty. Sometimes they may question if God does listen to us, asking how they could get through a particular part of their life; but then they show how they turned back to the gospels and listened to what God is telling them. We hear of amazing journeys where faith sustains them through difficult and glorious times.
For me, the whole parish needs to be involved in the RCIA journey. There are so many simple ways to make catechumens feel they are part of the faith community: coffee after Mass, personal invitations to parish activities, sharing dinner with people from the parish, special welcome at Mass and, especially if they have children, involving them in activities surrounding the parish Mass. An effective sponsor is crucial in accompanying the candidate and drawing them into the life of the parish.
As part of the early gatherings with our ‘seekers’, I ask some members of the parish to come to talk about their faith. I have always been amazed by their honesty. Sometimes they may question if God does listen to us, asking how they could get through a particular part of their life; but then they show how they turned back to the gospels and listened to what God is telling them. We hear of amazing journeys where faith sustains them through difficult and glorious times.
A most empowering element of RCIA is that God does not ask us to determine who is able to travel this journey. Pope Francis has shown us how to embrace all people irrespective of colour, nationality, class, gender or lifestyle. Our world has changed but still we pray, love God and celebrate Mass with the acceptance and non-judgemental kindness that Christ displayed. Even in a changing world, there will always be people searching for faith in their lives. We have to be ready to welcome them when they are ready, to embrace who they are and draw them into parish life.
Mass numbers are falling, but I do not believe it is a lack of faith. People lead busy lives. I remember, when my children were young, quite suddenly Sunday sport was added to our agenda! It was a netball carnival at 8 am and football at 9 am. I think I always got the netball run as somehow it lasted all day! We live in a different world and the RCIA has changed and evolved to match. When I look at the number of people at the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent every year, I take heart. So many desire to share our faith, to know Jesus in their lives. It's inspiring.
Jesus welcomed the little children. Today children can be our great evangelisers, bringing their parents to want God in their lives. Following the example of Christ, the Church welcomes children and their families, those seeking to know Jesus. Our world has changed but our mission has not.
Mass numbers are falling, but I do not believe it is a lack of faith. People lead busy lives. I remember, when my children were young, quite suddenly Sunday sport was added to our agenda! It was a netball carnival at 8 am and football at 9 am. I think I always got the netball run as somehow it lasted all day! We live in a different world and the RCIA has changed and evolved to match. When I look at the number of people at the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent every year, I take heart. So many desire to share our faith, to know Jesus in their lives. It's inspiring.
Jesus welcomed the little children. Today children can be our great evangelisers, bringing their parents to want God in their lives. Following the example of Christ, the Church welcomes children and their families, those seeking to know Jesus. Our world has changed but our mission has not.
Kate McLean is a member of the Archdiocesan Catechumenate Committee in Brisbane.
Originally published in Liturgy News, Vol 51/2, Winter 2021
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.
Originally published in Liturgy News, Vol 51/2, Winter 2021
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.