Perhaps we need a new model for thinking about the role of RCIA sponsors. The model that many parishes have is something like a friend who drops by occasionally. Granted, many of you have deeper expectations than that of the sponsors in your process. But that fact that a profound commitment from sponsors is seen […]
Seven ways AA sponsors can inspire RCIA sponsors
A friend of mine is getting married this summer, and she asked me to meet with her and her fiancé to help them think about any issues they should be discussing before the wedding. I have to tell you, I was a little nervous. I’ve been married before, and the fact that I’m not now
How to be the perfect RCIA sponsor
Keep your eyes open when you attend the Rite of Election. Notice what happens. Here are ten questions (in no particular order) to help you sharpen your observations. 1. Did each catechumen have a godparent? They should. The godparents have an important role in this rite. No group godparents, please. Each catchumen should have somebody
Ten Questions about the RCIA Election Rite
What are your thoughts on allowing a husbands or wives to serve as sponsors for their spouses? I’m uncomfortable with it, but it seems as though it happens in a lot of parishes. If you allow spouse-sponsors in your parish, what has been your experience? Do you make a distinction between sponsors and godparents? That
Spouses as sponsors in the RCIA process
Recently, I was at a liturgy with what appeared to be some unsponsored catechumens. Perhaps they had sponsors, and the sponsors were just absent that day. Still, I wondered how that happened. In sponsor training sessions, it is important to emphasize the crucial role sponsors play on Sundays. Here are nine tasks for sponsors to
9 tasks for RCIA sponsors on Sunday
The Rite of Acceptance adapted for children, as it appears in the RCIA, presumes the children’s parents will be serving as their sponsors (see 265). I suppose this is because the parents are required to give their consent. If they cannot be present at the rite to do so, they are to send a “sponsor”
Who sponsors child catechumens?
An essential skill for sponsors, and any catechumenate team member, is the ability to actively listen. Active listening is different than hearing. An active listener succeeds in hearing not only the words another person is saying but also understanding the meaning of the words from the speaker’s point of view. Active listening is not a
Listening skills for RCIA sponsors
The ideal sponsor is someone fully immersed in their Catholic faith, and it’s wonderful when you have sponsors like this. In my experience, however, sponsors are sometimes not much more catechized than the catechumens. When that is the case, the sponsor coordinator is really a sponsor to the sponsors. If you find yourself working with
How do you train sponsors for the RCIA?
To be a sponsor is to make a big commitment. Believe it or not, there are many people in your parish who are looking to make a big commitment. Sometimes we undersell the commitment people have to make. All that does is say to the volunteer, “I’m not really going to ask very much of
20 ideas for finding RCIA sponsors
Sponsors don’t need to know everything in order to be a sponsor. This is a relief for many. But you and they do need to know a few things about being a sponsor. Here are nine must-know facts about the role of sponsor. Free download: 5 essential elements of an RCIA sponsor’s job description Click
Sponsors: Nine must-know facts
