�Queremos acogerles en la Iglesia Cat�lica!

Monday, September 21, 2009

*Cheryl Whapham

English Spanish

Hace varios años, trabajaba en una parroquia al norte de Virginia como
directora de educación religiosa. Como sucede en muchas de nuestras parroquias
aquí, 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 comenzó 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 económica. Por eso Mary comenzó a recoger
artículos de higiene y alimentos no perecederos, pero pronto se dio cuenta de
que eso no era suficiente. Finalmente, reunió a un grupo de feligreses y comenzó
el movimiento de justicia social en su parroquia. El grupo patrocinó eventos
para educar a la parroquia sobre la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia, y a poner su
fe en acción al organizar eventos para la recaudación de fondos y viajes de
servicio misionero. Era maravilloso ver la manera que Mary y los fieles servían
a su Iglesia.

Por eso me sorprendió grandemente cuando el párroco me dijo que se había
enterado de que Mary no era católica, y de que quería ser recibida en la Iglesia.
Mary había crecido en la Iglesia Presbiteriana y se había casado con un católico.
Durante 20 años asistió a la misa con su esposo, crió a sus hijos en la Iglesia
Católica, y sirvió a la comunidad de muchas maneras. Ninguno de nosotros se
había dado cuenta de que Mary nunca recibía la Eucaristía, y mientras más tiempo
pasaba como parte de la parroquia, más avergonzada se sentía sobre su estatus en
la Iglesia. Al final fue al párroco porque deseaba recibir el Cuerpo y la Sangre
de Jesús.

Yo quisiera que la situación de Mary fuera un incidente aislado, pero la
verdad es que hay miles de personas en los banquillos de las iglesia católicas
de la Arquidiócesis de Miami que no están completamente iniciadas o que no han
sido recibidas en la Iglesia Católica. Supongo que si lee este blog, usted sabe
cuán importante es su vida sacramental, para usted y para la vida de la Iglesia.
También asumo que si está leyendo este blog, conoce a alguien que no está
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
Católica!

La Iglesia Católica tiene un proceso a través del cual acoge nuevos miembros,
y se llama el Rito de la Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (RICA), para niños no
bautizados (mayores de 7 años) y para adultos que fueron bautizados católicos
cuando infantes, y que nunca recibieron su Primera Comunión o la Confirmación.
Es para protestantes bautizados y confirmados que quisieran unirse a la Iglesia
Católica. ¡La mayoría de los programas del RICA sigue el modelo de formación del
año escolar, lo que significa que el proceso está comenzando AHORA MISMO!

Si usted o alguien que conoce pertenece a alguna de las categorías
mencionadas, por favor, comuníquese con su parroquia y pregunte sobre el proceso
del RICA. Cada año, la Arquidiócesis da la bienvenida a unas 1,200 personas a la
Iglesia Católica. Espero que varios miembros de su parroquia se encuentren entre
quienes serán acogidos en la Iglesia durante la Vigilia Pascual en abril de
2010.

Cheryl J. Orwig Whapham

Directora, Ministerios Laicos y Formación de Adultos en la Fe

Comments from readers

Eugenie Elie 2008 grad....=] - 10/04/2009 07:05 PM: I am a graduate from St.Mary Cathedral. Hopefully this message will be passed on to them for all to see. I wanted to say that I love you all. You've given me a second home. Attending St.Mary since the age of 3 or 4 years and then graduating was a life changing experience. I miss them as I attend highschool. Iwanted to let you guys that my faith in you and the Lord will not ever stray far. My blessings go to:
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 =]

Pat Solenski - 09/23/2009 12:00 PM: The RCIA process is a true blessing and gift to the Church. Each year as the birth of a new group of inquirers come forth, I am amazed at the power of the Holy Spirit in energizing those who come as well as those who open the door for them. How great is our God!

Cheryl - 09/22/2009 12:13 PM: Eliz - I think it is wonderful that you are trying to create a welcoming environment at your parish. This is something that I think we all need to do. When we gather for the Sunday Eucharist we gather to give thanks and praise to our God. This is a time of great joy and WELCOME for all who enter our parishes. The ministry of Greeters and Ushers is so important to making everyone feel welcome, whether you are Catholic or not. I love it when someone is at the door to our parish, holding the door open for me and my family and saying "Good Morning". It makes me feel like they are happy that I'm there...and aren't we happy when the community gathers to worship together??!!

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!!

Maria Jose Mitsoulis - 09/22/2009 11:02 AM: It is really amazing and beautiful to hear the stories on how the Spirit of God is touching each and every person in this RCIA journey. I have been part of this journey as a parish DRE and the Easter Vigil experience was really a powerful moment for everyone involved. I encourage parents who may be afraid or embarrassed to bring their unbaptized older children and teens to church to come forth. It is never too late.
Cheryl thank you for this encouraging blog.

Deacon Joseph Fugere - 09/21/2009 08:32 PM: Hi Cheryl,
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

Cheryl - 09/21/2009 06:06 PM: Melinda and Lindsay,

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.

Eliz - 09/21/2009 04:42 PM: I like Cheryl's article. That is the reality of many people that I know, and that I have being trying to bring into the church, inviting them to retreats, classes, etc.; but something that also helps this brothers and sister, is the way the community, and the pastor received them.
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

Lindsay Rigby - 09/21/2009 03:12 PM: Thanks for writing about the importance of RCIA awareness, Cheryl. As you know, I went through the RCIA process myself and was officially brought into the Church in April 2008. As I continued to come to church, I felt that call on my heart to be fully in commuion with God and my community, and so I inquired about RCIA. It's is a wonderful ministry and receiving the Sacraments of Initiation on Easter Vigil '' and every day after that! '' defineitely makes the time and spiritual effort you put into it worthwhile.

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)