The RCIA, the process by which adults are initiated into the Catholic Church, requires a significant contribution of time and skill from individuals and groups within the parish community. Catechists, godparents, priests and parish RCIA teams and liturgy committees are among the most closely involved. Their responsibilities are described in the Introduction to the RCIA ritual book under the heading “Ministries and Offices”.
Interestingly, the first ministry listed in this section is not one of the specialist roles named above but rather that of the ministry of the whole community. This is what it has to say:
“The people of God, as represented by the local Church, should understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptised. Therefore the community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ. Hence, the entire community must help the candidates and the catechumens throughout the process of initiation”. (RCIA 9)
This paragraph goes on to spell out some practical ways by which the whole community should involve itself in the initiation of new members during the different stages and rituals of the journey.
Unfortunately, it seems that many people in the pews think that the RCIA has nothing to do with them. Some even complain when RCIA rituals such as the Rite of Welcome are celebrated during Mass because they take up extra time Such attitudes seem to indicate that the initiation of new members is still not seen as the responsibility of all the baptised.
But then, people can’t be blamed for being disinterested if they are not given information about the RCIA, if they cannot see or hear what is happening out front during ritual celebrations and if they never have the opportunity to meet the candidates.
Community involvement can be enhanced by employing strategies such as keeping the parish informed about the RCIA through parish bulletin notices, commissioning RCIA team members at a Sunday Mass and inviting housebound parishioners to be involved in the RCIA through prayer support.
The whole community can be included in the Rite of Welcome by having the enquirers stand with their sponsors in the aisles of the church among the people during the signing of the cross and inviting all present to raise their hands over the catechumens for the final blessing.
During the period of the catechumenate, the names of the catechumens can be included occasionally in the Prayers of the Faithful and their photos (and those of their sponsors) displayed on a poster in the church as is regularly done when children are preparing to celebrate confirmation and first communion.
There are a number of simple ways in which every member of the parish can take on responsibility for “helping those who are searching for Christ” and become fellow travellers on the journey of conversion by offering basic hospitality, a listening ear and prayer. It might be helpful to give all parishioners a list with suggestions such as: introduce yourself to the catechumens and candidates, talk to them, invite them home or for coffee or to parish gatherings, offer to babysit or to help with transport, tell them that you pray for them.
Here is a parish bulletin insert or handout that you might consider adapting to use in your own parish to keep all parishioners informed about and involved in the process of initiating new members.
“I have called you by your name, conferring a title though you do not know me.” (Isaiah 45:4).
In our Parish there are a number of people who have responded to the initial call of God in their lives, and who are seeking to find what this may mean in their lives. Presently there are x Catechumens (unbaptised) and y Candidates (baptised in another Christian Tradition, but wanting to be received into the Roman Catholic Tradition.)
[This year we are in the process of establish what is known as “A year round or rolling or ongoing Catechumenate.” This simply means that when people enquire about becoming members of our faith we accommodate them straight away and do not ask them to wait for two or three months before we begin preparation with them. This also means that people are at different stages of their formation in the process.]
As you no doubt are aware, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s action and mission. Therefore the source and summit of both the Catechumens’ and Candidates’ journey is the Eucharist. This year, the enquirers have chosen to attend different Masses throughout the weekend. The question for each of us is “How can we ensure the enquirers are made feel welcome?”
The RCIA Document says “the responsibility of initiation belongs to all the baptised”. You, the baptised as the worshipping Community have much to offer these people who are seeking to belong. You live the Gospel, you pray, you belong to various outreach groups, you live in families and you have much to share with these enquirers. A simple ‘Hello, my name is…’, ‘Where do you live?’, ‘How has your week been?’ or ‘How about a cup of coffee after next week’s Mass?’ This outreach is simple, but it does give the enquirers a sense that we as a Community are hospitable and make an effort to welcome the stranger and to know their names. It is through us that they will come to know that it is God who calls them by name, and we act on God’s behalf.
