I have always felt a bit inadequate as an RCIA coordinator. Teaching is not one of my strongpoints. The more enthusiastic I am about a topic, the more I tend to stumble in my presentation. In our small parish there aren’t many options. I make sure the adult classes are available because they are important if we are to share the faith. The past couple of years have been especially difficult with Covid restrictions limiting our interactions.
Our program this year started rough. We had seven different individuals come for at least one session and not return, which makes me question what I could have done differently to make them want to come back. I make sure they know the door is always open. Two other women expressed an interest in returning to the faith, but have not responded to invitations.
Non-catholics or fallen away Catholics who contact the parish inquiring about the faith generally do so when going through a crisis of some sort. One had recently lost a spouse unexpectedly. Anther was convinced she had a ghost living in her house. Another came with pre-conceived misconceptions of Catholic practices that she was hostile toward. Once the impetus subsides, they no longer want to put in the time to explore the faith.
The one bright spot we have this year is a catechumen who is engaged to a Catholic woman from our parish. He has enthusiastically immersed himself in studying the faith. He is intelligent and well read, prays daily, attends a weekday Mass in addition to Sundays, and wants to explore the diaconate after entering the Church. Oddly enough, his father is a former Christian who became a Muslim. That could be one reason he began his search for the truth long before he landed in a Catholic RCIA class.
As Lent approaches, we can begin looking forward to the Easter Vigil when he will be baptized, confirmed and receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time in his life. I pray his new found enthusiasm for the Catholic Faith continues to grow throughout his life.
