We’ve been having a discussion on the Catholic Spitfire Grill that’s had me deep in thought for a while now. ”They” say….and I have no official source for this number whatsoever….that 40% of those who are received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass aren’t attending by the following Vigil Mass. I have no idea if this is actually true, but I do know several people in both my real life and in internet life who have struggled with staying in the Church and so this number bothers me deeply.
Even one leaving is a tragedy that should touch us all deeply. Do we as Catholics bear some sense of corporate responsibility for every single one who leaves? I don’t think so. Even Jesus had one of his Apostles choose to walk away. But I can’t help but think that a little more nurturing might not prevent some from leaving so soon. What do we do? What do I do?
We had a discussion both for and against the whole handshaking team at the doors. Some of us (and I am very much in that group) prefer to slip in and out of church quietly, but there were also those who related that a simple handshake might have kept them in the church at a time when they were inclined to leave. Then of course there is the “Sign of Peace” which is not without it’s own controversies…..and could there be a better time to link to Conversion Diary’s brilliant post on the Sign of Peace for the Socially Awkward? Another member told us how her church used the bulletin at Easter and Christmas to promote parish life and provide plenty of information for those who might want to be involved.
I wonder if perhaps we might not have our RCIA teams follow up on those who join the church or have some catechesis for sponsors? I know that **I** need to sit down with our church irectory and memorize faces and names because that’s my weakness. I am not outgoing because I have difficulty with names. And of course, as with all things, prayer.
So what are your ideas? What does your parish do? Your RCIA teams? How do we keep those who have made the swim across the Tiber from feeling unwelcome? Unfed? Unwatered? Unpruned?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Catholic Mom // Jan 1, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Did you know that there is supposed to be a follow up program for RCIA? It is referred to as mystagogy. This is supposed to be the time when we strengthen and support the faith of those who have newly entered the Church. Typically, it is a one year period. Unfortunately, most parishes do not have a formal plan for mystagogy. I think it is important to nourish this fledgling faith. Converts are often the best educated Catholics in the pews since so many of us cradle Catholics got the “Jesus loves me so let’s make a collage” form of catechism. There can also be a period of great disillusionment when converts discover the average Catholic in the pew does not have the fire for the faith that they have as a new Catholic. Better adult faith formation in our parishes would help both the cradle Catholics and the new converts.
2 Owen // Jan 1, 2009 at 5:31 pm
My family and I will hit three years on January 16th 2009. We will never return to the protestant wastelands. But then we knew exactly what we were doing and why and it came at a great price.
Our parish doesn’t do a lot after RCIA as a specific follow up. We do have a lot of groups to become a part of and many volunteer serving positions but again, nothing specific for mystagogy.
I can tell you that seven out of eight people we did RCIA with have remained and the eight was back for Christmas Mass. Six of six that came home last year are all regular worshipers.
Since becoming a part of the parish I have helped introduce two courses that people can take and quite a number do. It is not a specific follow up but again it provides something. In the late Winter early Spring we are introducing a Catholics Returning Home program.
3 Sister Spitfire // Jan 1, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Catholic Mom, I did know that mystagogy is required. I also know that it is often neglected. In our parish I think mystagogy lasts 3-4 weeks. I’d love to hear how various parishes make a formal mystagogy program interesting, appealing, effective, etc.
Owen I do hear you on the cost of leaving Protestantism. It seems staggering to me that those who have paid a particularly high price to become Catholic would then consider leaving but I have heard of it. There is just so much to be done to improve adult education….at least in the parishes I have contact with.
4 John // Jan 3, 2009 at 10:56 am
Just a thought-I wonder how many people would walk away from Jesus if they had an encounter with HIM? What is the goal of our RCIA and what is the fruit? Do we give them the PERSON of Jesus or someTHING else? What has Pope Benedict been saying? He is pointing us to the encounter with the real Jesus! Once you experience HIM, you can NEVER forget it. So maybe we need to see what/WHO are we proposing with the RCIA. You can only give what you have! So our orayer could be-Lord Jesus, help US to encounter the REAL YOU and then give YOU to others.
5 Sister Spitfire // Jan 4, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Amen John, amen.
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