�Queremos acogerles en la Iglesia Cat�lica!
Monday, September 21, 2009
*Cheryl Whapham
Hace varios a�os, trabajaba en una parroquia al norte de Virginia como
directora de educaci�n religiosa. Como sucede en muchas de nuestras parroquias
aqu�, en el sur de la Florida, aquella parroquia estaba bendecida por cientos de
fieles voluntarios que dedicaban horas y horas de su tiempo para servir a la
comunidad. Una de ellos se llamaba Mary.
Mary comenz� su voluntariado en la oficina parroquial por un par de horas
cada semana. Durante su tiempo en la oficina, vio a muchas personas que llegaban
a la parroquia para solicitar ayuda econ�mica. Por eso Mary comenz� a recoger
art�culos de higiene y alimentos no perecederos, pero pronto se dio cuenta de
que eso no era suficiente. Finalmente, reuni� a un grupo de feligreses y comenz�
el movimiento de justicia social en su parroquia. El grupo patrocin� eventos
para educar a la parroquia sobre la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia, y a poner su
fe en acci�n al organizar eventos para la recaudaci�n de fondos y viajes de
servicio misionero. Era maravilloso ver la manera que Mary y los fieles serv�an
a su Iglesia.
Por eso me sorprendi� grandemente cuando el p�rroco me dijo que se hab�a
enterado de que Mary no era cat�lica, y de que quer�a ser recibida en la Iglesia.
Mary hab�a crecido en la Iglesia Presbiteriana y se hab�a casado con un cat�lico.
Durante 20 a�os asisti� a la misa con su esposo, cri� a sus hijos en la Iglesia
Cat�lica, y sirvi� a la comunidad de muchas maneras. Ninguno de nosotros se
hab�a dado cuenta de que Mary nunca recib�a la Eucarist�a, y mientras m�s tiempo
pasaba como parte de la parroquia, m�s avergonzada se sent�a sobre su estatus en
la Iglesia. Al final fue al p�rroco porque deseaba recibir el Cuerpo y la Sangre
de Jes�s.
Yo quisiera que la situaci�n de Mary fuera un incidente aislado, pero la
verdad es que hay miles de personas en los banquillos de las iglesia cat�licas
de la Arquidi�cesis de Miami que no est�n completamente iniciadas o que no han
sido recibidas en la Iglesia Cat�lica. Supongo que si lee este blog, usted sabe
cu�n importante es su vida sacramental, para usted y para la vida de la Iglesia.
Tambi�n asumo que si est� leyendo este blog, conoce a alguien que no est�
participando plenamente en la vida sacramental de la Iglesia. Necesito su ayuda
para enviar este mensaje a las personas que usted conoce, y que no participan en
la vida sacramental de la Iglesia: �Queremos acogerles en la Iglesia
Cat�lica!
La Iglesia Cat�lica tiene un proceso a trav�s del cual acoge nuevos miembros,
y se llama el Rito de la Iniciaci�n Cristiana de Adultos (RICA), para ni�os no
bautizados (mayores de 7 a�os) y para adultos que fueron bautizados cat�licos
cuando infantes, y que nunca recibieron su Primera Comuni�n o la Confirmaci�n.
Es para protestantes bautizados y confirmados que quisieran unirse a la Iglesia
Cat�lica. �La mayor�a de los programas del RICA sigue el modelo de formaci�n del
a�o escolar, lo que significa que el proceso est� comenzando AHORA MISMO!
Si usted o alguien que conoce pertenece a alguna de las categor�as
mencionadas, por favor, comun�quese con su parroquia y pregunte sobre el proceso
del RICA. Cada a�o, la Arquidi�cesis da la bienvenida a unas 1,200 personas a la
Iglesia Cat�lica. Espero que varios miembros de su parroquia se encuentren entre
quienes ser�n acogidos en la Iglesia durante la Vigilia Pascual en abril de
2010.
Cheryl J. Orwig Whapham
Directora, Ministerios Laicos y Formaci�n de Adultos en la Fe
Comments from readers
Sister Jane{the greatest spirit I've ever known}
Sister Michelle
Mrs.Charles {good times}
Mrs.Camilla{your help will never be forgotten}
Mrs.Cunningham{miss your hair color}
Coach Rehm and Coach Cleraux {Is it ten mintues yet miss you}
Mrs.Clerval{wonderful french teacher}
Mrs.Milhomme{too funny}
Both Mrs.Chery's{your family I love you}
Mrs.Suzie{haitian dancing was fun}
To Mrs.Fresnada I miss you R.I.P
To Sister Agatha you had to leave I miss you.
To everyone who I accidently left out because I couldnt remember at the time. I miss you. Wait and be patient until I become successful and I'll be there to help my home.Much love and appreciation. From the number one class to Graduate Eugenie Elie 2008 =]
Deacon Joe - You are doing such a great job with the RCIA at your parish. It is a pleasure to serve with you. I think you raise such an important point about invitation. I think we can do more to invite people to complete their Sacraments of Initiation. I think bulletin announcements, after mass announcements, and letters are all great ways to invite people, but I think sometimes the most important invitation is the personal invitation from your friend or your neighbor. I think when your friend approaches you and says, "Come on, do you want to recieve your First Communion and Confirmation? I'll do it with you as your sponsor." Those are the people who are going to come forward for sure. We should not be shy about making the invitation. We are inviting people to partake in the Body and Blood of Christ!!
Cheryl thank you for this encouraging blog.
For the last 3 years we've sent out over 1600 letters to our parishoners inviting them who may be or know someone that is in the very same position that you've so well defined in your blog. Well as you know, for the last 3 years our numbers have grown to a toatal of over 20 candidates and catechumens. The letter not only invites those who wish to be confirmed or be recieved into the Church but for those who have a greater interest in learning more of their Catholic Faith. This year, however, the boss decided not to send the letter and the result was 8 in the first night. Then the boss went on vacation and in his absence this disobedient servant sent the letter. The class has now grown to 15 and still counting (we're in our 3rd week). YOU'VE GOT TO GET THE WORD OUT and HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST. People want to hear more of our Faith. Sometimes we assume that everyone knows all they need to know of our Catholic Faith but then there are a few who wish to know and have more but are afraid to ask, our Church needs all of them as we all need the Love and Grace of our maker.
Please keep up the good work you started when I first met you. It's bearing the fruit of GOODNESS. Thanks! Hope your family is doing well. Deacon Joe
Thanks so much for participating in the blog! I thought about you two as I was writing it. You both have such powerful conversion stories and I'm so happy that you shared them with our greater community.
And Lindsay, I often hear cradle catholics saying that they wish they could be in the RCIA. A great way to do that is to offer to be a sponsor for a new member. It is a tremendous journey that you embark on together, learning about the faith together, sharing thoughts, feelings and lots of prayer together. Thank you for mentioning it. Being a Sponsor is a great way for a fully initiated Catholic to serve the community.
I know of many parishes that welcome them, love them and guide them trhu this process; but I also know about parishes like mine, in wich this brothers and sisters are not welcomed to help into the ministries because they represent a "bad example" for the community.
Hearts have being broken, and some people that are just coming into our faith have left, looking for a place where they don't have to wear the "unworthy" label.
Love and Peace
I pray that people reading your blog who may be on the fence will be inspired to take this vital step. I also pray that those already fully-initiated Catholics will consider RCIA sponosrship. Last year, I was fortuate enough to co-sponosor a friend from college, and it was a huge blessing. And I've just been asked to be a sponsor again this year... and I'm thrilled about it!
Peace and blessings, Lindsay :o)