FANNING THE FLAME: RCIA sessions help keep faith alive

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 20, 2008

Keeping the fire of faith alive will be the mission of RCIA sessions to be presented soon at two locations in the Diocese of Sioux City.

Mark Thomason, diocesan director of catechesis, evangelization and RCIA, said he organized these sessions so people who have gone through the program can "expand on the great knowledge they have already received in their preparation." He also wanted to offer them formation opportunities after Easter because many of the RCIA programs have concluded for the year by that time.

"I wanted them to be able to connect to a larger community, which is essential to helping keep RCIA people active in the church," he said.

Studies show that within five years, 50 percent of the people who convert become inactive in the Catholic Church. One of the reasons cited for this is that often there are no follow-up formation programs. Thomason mentioned that it is a national problem in catechesis and is not limited to RCIA.

"It is important to connect RCIA people to the larger, diocesan church," he said.

Two sessions planned

What is Mystagogy? How to Keep the Fire - will be presented Monday, March 31 at Trinity Heights' Marian Center in Sioux City. This will be offered a second time on Monday, April 7 at St. Mary's Church in Storm Lake. These sessions will be presented by Dr. David Lopez, chancellor of the diocese, and his wife, Cecilia Lopez. Both sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. No pre-registration is required.

Jesus and the Catholic Church -Dominus Iesus - will be presented on Tuesday, April 1 at Trinity Heights' Marian Center in Sioux City. It will be offered a second time on Tuesday, April 8 at St. Mary's Church in Storm Lake. These 6:30 p.m. sessions will be presented by Thomason.

In his session, the diocesan RCIA director will explore the document titled Dominus Iesus, which was published by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. One of the central messages of that document is that the church is essential for salvation and for understanding Jesus Christ. At that time, the prefect of that congregation was Cardinal Ratzinger, who is now Benedict XVI, and it was published under the authority of Pope John Paul II.

Spread the word

Given that many of the people who might be interested in attending this session will not become full members of the church until the Easter vigil, Thomason said they might not hear about these faith formation opportunities.

"Please, if you read this article, please tell the people who are part of RCIA," he said. "Please spread the word."

All are welcome

While these sessions may be of particular interest to those who have completed RCIA or parishioners who help teach or serve as sponsors, he said anyone is welcome to attend.

"Anyone who is working with, participated in or is interested in RCIA may attend," said Thomason, who added that for Catholics who have lapsed in their faith, this is a great way to reconnect.

He stressed the fact that the intention of the program is to help parishioners stay connected to the church and it is not meant to imply that what they learned in parish RCIA programs was insufficient.

The sessions are expected to last about an hour.

For more information contact Thomason at (712) 233-7536.