May 8, 2009
The Christian Journey
A parish community should act like a community
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
A brother priest, former teacher and man I respect for his faith, devotion to ministry, friendship and humanness, shared an experience he had with a family he “gave instructions to” years before the RCIA was re-introduced. He met with them privately for about 10 weeks before their baptism. When the bishop came for confirmation, the family followed the children.
My priest-friend said that “when he was transferred to a new parish shortly thereafter,” this family also transferred — that is, “they became inactive Catholics.” Why? Because they had only bonded with him and NOT with the parish. He now recognizes that this is one advantage of the RCIA — new members have the possibility of becoming integrated into the parish “from the get-go.” They are not the “priest’s converts” (no matter how close they may become to a priest); they are members of Christ’s people, as the RCIA emphasizes. Thus, the possibility of their becoming inactive following their initiation should happen less frequently.
Welcoming new members into our parishes AND helping them to “FEEL” part of our parish do not happen overnight. Nor will it happen following their initiation or reception into the Church, UNLESS it has been part of their entire time of formation. Thus, the Rite encourages Catholics to get to know our new members from the beginning of the Inquiry. (I have written about ways to do this; parishes need to become more creative!) We also need to have “Parish Sponsors” (gregarious, friendly, hospitable parishioners) to accompany them to parish activities, get them involved, and introduce them to parishioners. (We need more creativity in this area too!). We could invite parishioners to serve as hospitality ministers by bringing snacks to the sessions, remaining with the group and providing them with an opportunity to talk about their love of Christ and the Church (and their parish involvement — we have X-number of weeks for this — think how many Catholics they can meet). Parishioners from organizations and ministries could speak to our inquirers about their involvement; also, Catholics who have returned to the Church could share their reasons “why” and the difference it has made. Invite parishioners to pray for inquirers, candidates and catechumens. Include them on the prayer chains before major rites. Have parishioners drop them a note, or telephone them.
If such activities occur during the entire RCIA, the Easter Season makes more sense as a time of involving them even more in parish life. During the Easter Season, a new member should be introduced to the community and welcomed with applause at any Mass she or he attends (Saturday and Sunday). Parishioners, have you taken time to personally get to know your new members since Easter? If not, why not? Actually, YOU ARE the RCIA team; it’s your parish! They are your brothers and sisters! Priests, do you speak a few words to them during the homily? Hopefully they have been scheduled to present the bread and win during Mass. These are ordinary things the Church already does, in which we can include our new members.
Benedictine Sister Geraldine Hedinger wrote last week in her column that nationally over 50 percent of new members entering the church leave the church because they do not feel “connected.” This is inexcusable in a church, where the Lord Jesus commissions us to welcome one another in his name. Are we not doing what the Lord Jesus asks us? Welcoming others is a simple activity that every parishioner can do. The bottom line is this — are we really a community? Do we want to be a community? If so, then let’s start acting like one in Christ!