by Bishop James Conley
In 1975, as an undergraduate at the University of Kansas, I made the decision to take instructions to learn more about the Catholic Church. I took instructions before the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) had been developed.
My instructions were not conducted privately, as was often the case at the time, but there were around 20 other university students who joined the class for the same reason—to learn more about the Catholic faith. Interestingly, the instructions were conducted entirely by the priest of the local parish, Father Michael Moriarty. Father Moriarity, was a witty, Irish-born priest with a thick brogue. His brilliant knack for storytelling made it easy and delightful to learn about all that God has revealed to us.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church was not promulgated until 1992, and so we studied the Baltimore Catechism. Many who attended Catholic schools are familiar with the Baltimore Catechism with its question-and-answer format, a proven and effective way to teach the faith. I learned so much in my study of the Baltimore Catechism, and through the wisdom and holiness of Father Moriarty.
I look back with deep gratitude on this time of instruction as an important part of my journey in Christian discipleship. During this time of discernment, I never would have imagined that I would eventually become a priest—and certainly not a bishop! I am grateful to Father Moriarty, God rest his soul, and to many others who played a key role in God’s providential plan for me.
There were many people and circumstances who helped me get to the point of making the decision to take instructions in the Catholic faith. My parents raised me in a Christian household, teaching and witnessing to me about how to live and how to love. I was enrolled in the Integrated Humanities Program at the University of Kansas, where I was taught to love wisdom, through the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty in its many forms. In doing so, I began to seek after the permanent things that endure, and to ponder the purpose of my life.
I think of the example of many of my Catholic friends and their witness to Catholic faith. In particular, I think of my lifelong friend now-Archbishop Paul Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, who was my roommate throughout my years in college.
I look back in gratitude to Almighty God who gave me the grace to take instructions and later enter the Catholic Church. There are undoubtedly many other people who I’m not even aware of, who played a part in this. That’s the mystery of God’s grace and providence.
But someone had to invite me to become Catholic and I did receive personal invitations to take instruction classes in the Catholic faith. Without these personal invitations, I don’t know if I would be Catholic today.
Our nature as human beings is both individual and communal. We have both individual and communal needs and duties. Thus, as members of the Catholic Church, we don’t think of ourselves merely as individuals in our relationship with God, but rather we assist one another. It’s not just me and Jesus. The Church is truly the Body of Christ, and as members of the Body, we must show care and concern for each other.
In about a month, Catechumens (those who have never been baptized) and Candidates (those who have been baptized in other faith traditions) will attend RCIA classes throughout the parishes of the Diocese of Lincoln and throughout the Universal Church, where they will learn more about the Catholic faith. Many adult Catholics will attend these RCIA classes to grow in knowledge of their faith.
There are many ways that parishes promote their RCIA programs. Invitations to RCIA are communicated through bulletin announcements, parish websites, and social media. Some parishes have those who have previously attended RCIA give short witness talks at the end of Mass, which puts a human face on the programs. Some parishes send postcards to Catholics and non-Catholics within their parish boundaries as invitations to RCIA.
I admire the creativity of our priests, religious and lay faithful who are involved in the teaching, planning and coordination of RCIA in the Diocese of Lincoln as they work hard to attract more people to learn about the Catholic faith. There are many ways that one could end up at the doorstep of a church, and eventually into an RCIA classes. However, I can say from my own personal experience that there is no more effective way to get more people to attend RCIA classes than a personal invitation.
The purpose of inviting adults to RCIA is not to increase the rolls of the parish, that is, it’s not about numbers for numbers’ sake. That kind of attitude and motivation could even lead to a spiritual pride which does damage to the soul.
Rather, we encourage people to attend RCIA because the Gospel is truly “Good news” for everyone. Jesus suffered, died, and rose for us so that we might share in his resurrection. As St. Paul says, God “wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). We believe by faith that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6) and that he wants us to encounter him. It’s an act of charity when we bring our brothers and sisters in this world into this joyful and abundant life of Christ.
God works in many ways. God works in mysterious ways. God’s works within our human nature. He takes the natural bonds of our relationships and uses them as channels and instruments of his grace. Allow the Lord to use your relationships for his benevolent ends and purposes.
Because we are about a month away from the beginning of RCIA classes, I encourage you to think about one person in your life whom you might ask to join you in taking RCIA classes to learn more about the Catholic faith. Your friends and family already know you. They know the purity of your motives and that any such invitation is done out of love.
I am eternally grateful for the people in my life who invited me to discern entry into the Catholic faith. Through the grace of God, may many more enter into the joyful, peaceful, and abundant life of Christ.
