RCIA leaders share in journey

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
RCIA leaders at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile accept an immense responsibility as they assist non-Catholics on a faith journey and into possible full Communion with the Catholic Church.
But those who volunteer to help say they’re immensely rewarded.
“I receive a lot of blessings seeing a group of people of diverse backgrounds grow and walk this journey with them. It’s just amazing year after year,” said Sally Halliday of Christ the King Parish in Daphne.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – is available annually for those inquiring about the faith. It began last month at many parishes in the Archdiocese of Mobile. Most RCIA programs include weekly sessions. The path toward entering the Catholic Church culminates at the Easter Vigil. 
Behind those programs which annually serve hundreds throughout the archdiocese are parishes’ dedicated RCIA directors and instructors. The RCIA path for non-Catholics can be challenging and is hopefully rewarding. But it shouldn’t be a lonesome journey, thanks to the support of RCIA leaders. 
They are a comforting presence, standing alongside those inquiring about the faith.
“You become their support group,” said Betty Ebel of Little Flower Parish in Mobile. “I think it’s very important to develop a personal relationship as much as you can with the catechumens or candidates.”
Providing that support helps RCIA leaders see something “really beautiful.”
“Sometimes we cradle Catholics take our faith for granted so we don’t even know the real beauty of our faith because we’ve done it all along,” according to Susan Gantt of Christ the King Parish in Andalusia. 
“But when you see other people reach out for it, willing to study and prepare, it’s really beautiful.”
According to Peter Bartosch of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Enterprise, there’s great satisfaction in truly connecting with those inquiring about the faith.
“Every year we have (some) who really get inspired and those really give you a satisfaction that you’re doing something right,” Bartosch explained. “A young lady came up to me after a class that I gave on Scripture, tradition and the Magisterium. She said ‘I’ve never heard that before, but it makes so much sense. I’m really enjoying this.’ That really gives me a great sense of satisfaction, when it’s profound for someone.”
Bartosch said being an RCIA leader has helped grow his knowledge of the faith.
He said he began as a volunteer for the Catholics Returning Home program when “I found out I didn’t know as much about my faith as I should have.”
He started reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church and then volunteered to teach RCIA. 
His first class on the Bible “involved a lot of research. What happened was I found I was really enjoying this, so I went to graduate school at Spring Hill College and got my master’s degree in Theological Studies. Now I’ve got a lot of stuff, a lot of knowledge and I’m exuberant about sharing it.”
Some RCIA leaders say they don’t have all the answers. 
“We often get a question we can’t answer and I say ‘let me get back with you,’ ” Ebel said. “I’ll get with (Little Flower pastor Fr. John Lynes) and get his perspective. Or I’ll give them a book that pertains to the topic too.”
Liz Gregorius of Holy Spirit Parish in Montgomery added: “I promise you after all these years I learn something new every year.”

Inspiring stories
Those who lead RCIA are inevitably blessed to see the Holy Spirit at work.
Gantt said Christ the King Parish in Andalusia has an active St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides assistance to those in need. 
“Two of the people that have come through RCIA here were first our friends in need through St. Vincent de Paul,” she said. 
“They thought all they needed was a little bit of help with their utility bill or their dentist. As it turned out, they came to RCIA. That was pretty awesome to me.”
It can also be inspiring to see various backgrounds represented. 
Some who enter RCIA are young, some are not. 
Some have knowledge of the Catholic Church. Others don’t.
“We’ve had people come through older than 75 and to make that kind of decision at that point in their life that they want to spend the rest of their time worshipping at a Catholic Church, that’s beautiful,” Gregorius said.
Others may also come for family reasons, but it may ultimately lead to much more.
“One girl came because her son was dating a Catholic. They were getting serious, and she was going to have Catholic grandchildren,” Halliday said. “She was not interested in becoming Catholic, but wanted to know what it was. Well, she fell in love.”
“Her son broke up with the girl and (the mother) became Catholic. She’s very passionate about it.”

No commitment 
necessary
RCIA leaders all stressed that it should be made clear that there’s no commitment needed by those entering RCIA.
Not all who begin the program enter the Catholic Church. Some might also wait some time.
“I don’t want my friends in RCIA to feel any pressure,” Gantt said. Other people will tell them ‘Oh you’re going to be a Catholic.’ Well’ I’m kind of guarding against that because those in RCIA should not be pressured by others.”
Bartosch echoed this thought. He estimated that roughly half of his annual class will enter the Church. He also joked there are other benefits to those who begin RCIA but don’t enter the Church.
“I’m right up front about there being no commitment,” Bartosch said. He joked “If you do nothing else other than learn about the Catholic faith, so you can badmouth it better, welcome. At least you’ll know what we teach and not what you think we teach.”

It takes a parish
While the RCIA journey culminates at the Easter Vigil, the faith journey should continue.
“You want to stay plugged into them and make sure they know everything that’s going on in the parish,” Gregorius said. “You want them to stay involved. We’ve done bible studies in the summer where we’ve gotten together.”
Leading RCIA is a calling for those involved. RCIA leaders also need parish support. Gregorius said it’s important for everyone to pray for RCIA leaders and for those currently attending RCIA.
She added it’s important for the entire parish to support those attending RCIA.
“Sometimes we forget how hard it can be for an adult to go down this path,” she said. “It’s not something that should ever be taken lightly. Sometimes we don’t remember these people who come to us as an adult, but for a lot of (those in RCIA), (the Church) is a radical change. They need our prayers and support.”