By Julie M. Miller
Catholic Herald

Bishops' study gives RCIA good marks

In a recent study the majority of participants who completed the RCIA gave the process a "good" rating.

The study, "Journey to the Fullness of Life: A Report of the Implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the United States," was released in October by five U.S. bishops' committees.

The report included results of a survey of participants who withdrew from RCIA, a survey of bishops, and consultations with diocesan and parish leaders. It also identified some aspects of the RCIA process where there is room for improvement.

Training for RCIA leaders

The report cited the ongoing formation and training of both lay RCIA teams and clergy as the greatest challenge. Richard Lyons, who with his wife Judy directs the RCIA at the Cathedral of Christ the King Parish in Superior, said that ongoing formation is critical for leaders in any catechetical program. He recommended that RCIA coordinators have a catechetical certificate from the diocesan religious education office.

Lyons, who is also diocesan director of pastoral services, sees an added benefit in training sessions: "One of the most valuable aspects is that it becomes a time for leaders in the catechetical process to see what other parishes are doing."

RCIA leaders can and do take advantage of catechist education programs, said Sr. Genevieve Schillo, a Sister of St. Joseph, who is director of the Department of Christian Formation.

Schillo adding that a variety of educational programs are offered for RCIA leaders by the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools and the Office of Religious Education throughout the year.

Deacon Chester E. Ball, Jr. of St. Anthony de Padua Parish in Park Falls directs the RCIA program for the Park Falls-Butternut-Fifield cluster of parishes. He has attended some diocesan workshops and also meets with members of his team.

Some leaders, such as Carol Fleury, supplement their attendance at workshops with a lot of independent reading. "I have accumulated a big library on the RCIA process," said Fleury. She and Deacon Ronald J. Bosi direct RCIA at St. Joseph Parish in Rhinelander.

Ken and Sharon Schaefer are RCIA coordinators at St. Joseph Parish in Rice Lake. Since Ken Schaefer is preparing to become a permanent deacon, he and his wife are getting a lot of education. Once ordained Schaefer said he would like to become more involved in the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. "That is more pointed to the catechumenate and (fosters) dialog with other professionals."

Another area cited in the study is "a concern on the part of the bishops that sufficient distinction be made in both the formation and in the ritual between the baptized and unbaptized persons coming forward for initiation."

Catechumens vs. candidates

RCIA leaders in the diocese recognize the importance of making a distinction between catechumens and candidates, but usually have joint sessions with the two groups.

Fleury said, "We don't have big enough classes to separate them. Last year we had three people, including an engaged couple. One needed confirmation and the other was a catechumen." In that case it was not practical to have them come to separate classes, she said.

When asked about this issue, Ball said, "Catechumens should be treated a little different because their knowledge of Jesus Christ is limited, whereas the candidates have been baptized in other faiths ... (but) having small groups it is very difficult to separate them."

Different situations call for different responses, according to Schaefer. "This year the (RCIA group) is mostly Lutherans. Two years ago we had 11 baptisms," he said. While they hold separate classes for children, adult catechumens and candidates are in combined classes.

Franciscan Sr. Ann Manthey sees combined classes as an advantage. "Sometimes people from other religions ... ask more questions and want to know everything," she said. Manthey recently established an RCIA program for the Gilman-Lublin-Sheldon-Jump River cluster, where she also serves as pastoral associate.

Elaine Southworth also sees an advantage to combining the two groups. "I think the catechumens like to be with the candidates. It puts in an atmosphere of togetherness. It becomes a family affair at the end of the year," she said. Southworth and her husband, George, are the RCIA coordinators at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Medford.

Marriage issues

While marriage is often the catalyst for people to consider entering the RCIA process, marriage issues also represent potential roadblocks to full initiation into the church. The Bishops' study stressed the importance of learning about a person's marital situation early to allow time to "rectify irregular marriages."

Sr. Rita Schneider, a School Sister of Notre Dame and advocate for the diocesan marriage tribunal stresses the importance of addressing the subject so any complications can be discovered early on in the RCIA process. She said the average case in the Diocese of Superior tribunal takes about nine months to a year, but warned that there are many factors that can delay the process. She recommends that people with marriage issues talk to the tribunal informally (even anonymously) or get advice from an expert in canon law.

Schaefer said he and his team try to spend as much time as they can talking to people and getting to know them as they register for RCIA, but he still feels there is room for improvement. "We really have to do better in addressing (marriage) issues."

Fleury said people at St. Joseph Parish often enter the RCIA process due to their inquiries about the annulment process. Her co-director, Bosi, deals with annulments in the parish. "We have a lot of annulment literature available when we do the sessions on marriage," she added.

When participants start the RCIA process, Ball said he and his team talk to them and have them fill out a questionnaire that asks whether they have been married or whether they are divorced. "We certainly don't want to get down the road several months and find out they can't be fully initiated into the church," Ball said.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2000