What Should Sponsors Avoid?

Posted on April 5th, 2010

Q. What are some things the RCIA leader should encourage sponsors and godparents to avoid doing?

A. Here are a few suggestions, based on the common experiences of those in parish ministry:

Referring to the person you are serving as a “non-Catholic”

Overwhelming him/her with chatter, advice, and knowledge of Catholic doctrine and practice

Prying or insisting on knowing information or sinful behavior that he/she wishes to keep private

Sharing your interior life and struggles in a form of spiritual “one-upmanship”

Assuming he/she will necessarily become a Catholic or become a Catholic this Easter

Making guesses as to the Correct answer to a question, or beginning or discuss a Church teaching with “I’ve never understood why…”

Allowing discouragement or difficulties to shake your trust in God’s providence and loving care of the person you are serving

Speaking of or treating Catholic beliefs or practices with disrespect

Trying to make the person you are serving a Catholic in your image

Using the RCIA sessions to get your own questions answered or to express your frustrations with the Church

Commenting on who does (or does not) attend parish-sponsored devotions

Expressing overly opinionated preferences in hymns, liturgical traditions, or why you think one cultural or ethnic expression of spirituality is better than another.

Giving extravagant gifts or gifts beyond your means

Assuming that the nature of your relationship during the RCIA process will always be the basis of your relationship with your new Catholic and that it will not change and evolve

Tags: Godparents, Sponsors
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RCIA Godparent and Sponsor Handbook

Posted on August 24th, 2008

RCIA Godparent and Sponsor Handbook
Association for Catechumenal Ministry
Barbara A. Morgan and William J. Keimig, Editors
ISBN: 978-1-933374-04-8
Distributed by Liturgy Training Publications
To Order by Phone: (800) 933-1800
Orders outside U.S. & Canada: (773) 486-5630
Price: $7 ea. – Purchase Online

This inexpensive and succinct booklet provides a straightforward and practical aide to those serving as sponsors or godparents in the Christian Initiation processes in their parish. It is pragmatic, spiritual, down-to-earth, and easy to read. It enables parish RCIA leaders to provide a high-quality means of effectively communicating the Church’s intentions for this crucial ministry of companionship and conversion in the catechumenate. [Click here to read the rest of this entry… » ]

Tags: Godparents, Sponsors
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