April 3, 2009
The Christian Journey
How to connect a catechumen or candidate with the parish
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
Last week: Father Sauer pointed out that “Every parishioner can strive to break out of his or her comfort zone to talk with another Catholic, stranger, or new member . . . Did not Jesus teach us, “Whoever welcomes one of these little ones welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me?” Father Sauer continues his reflection on welcoming new members into the parish community.
Other ways that parishioners can be involved in the formal training of new members is by introducing them to the “spirit of the community.” We uncover a parish community’s spirit in its celebration of the Eucharist and other Sacraments; in its ministries, social activities, and catechetical programs; and, in a parish’s outreach to the poor and other societal concerns. During the initial phase of initiation (“Inquiry” or “Precatechumenate”) parishioners are to give inquiring persons “a sense of the Church” (RCIA, par. 42).
How might we give new members a sense of what our parish spirit is like? Invite the Parish Pastoral Council members and other parish commissions, parish staff, and, sodalities to speak to the Inquirers about their ministry and the reasons they are involved in it. Liturgical ministers, Stephens’ Ministers, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, catechists, marriage sponsor couples, parishioners in Cursillio, Christ Renews His Parish, Why Catholic, and other ongoing catechetical programs, and parishioners-in-general could be invited too. This will give our Inquirers a sense of Church — how this parish lives the Gospel. It will also begin to kindle the desire in our Inquirers to be active in our parishes and to discern the gifts they bring to the Church. It is also another way for a large number of parishioners to become involved in the formal training of new members. Gradually, the entire parish will see itself as responsible for the initiation of new members, which is the desire of the RCIA ritual (par. 9).
From the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, which concludes the period of Inquiry, parishioners can be appointed to serve as “parish sponsors” for those entering the Church. The RCIA ritual (paragraphs 10 and 11) seems to see a difference between a “sponsor” and “godparent.” I think there is much wisdom in this apparent distinction. My preference (because the ritual does not specifically spell it out) would be that the parish sponsor not be a friend or relative of the new member. The reason lies in the very nature of sponsorship, which is to connect a catechumen or candidate with other parishioners. It is so easy for friends and relatives to remain in their comfort zones; whereas other parish sponsors would more likely be motivated to introduce new members to parishioners they have not yet met.
The parish sponsors accompany new members to their faith-sharing sessions and to parish social activities (e.g. refreshments after Sunday Mass or a Lenten fish fry). They also involve them in other parish activities (e.g. a parish picnic or summer social, church dinners). They can meet with them over coffee or lunch to discuss any concerns or questions the new members might be having. (Sometimes it is also much easier to talk to a non-family member.) Parish sponsors are crucial for the integration of new members into our parishes. The RCIA ritual says that a parish sponsor may continue to serve as a godparent for his or her catechumen or candidate during the catechumenate, as well as from the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent. The catechumen or candidate is also free to pick a different godparent to accompany during Lent to Easter.
We could learn a lot about sponsoring by talking with women and men who serve as sponsors in Alcoholics Anonymous or other anonymous support groups. They understand themselves as companions on the journey and are available whenever they are needed.