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Volunteering with the RCIA Process

First of all, thank you for your interest. The RCIA process is a rewarding period of exploration and understanding for those who are inquiring into the Catholic faith. One of the aspects that can make the experience personable and successful is the ability to talk to parishioneers and other Catholics who are willing to be open about their faith journey and their perspective on what it means to be Catholic. These "companions" on the faith journey don't need to be experts on anything, but simply need to be willing to talk about their own experiences, struggles, and insights about being Catholic.

If you are interested in volunteering, we are always in need of help. Click here to get in touch with someone.

If you'd like more information about what "companions" do, read on.

One of the most important things to keep in mind during the “RCIA year” is that it is a process, and that the inquirer is not just acting on a commitment already made that only requires some time to complete. Rather, many people enter RCIA not knowing whether it is something for them or not, so they need to have room to contemplate and pray over the decision that faces them.

As a companion you are a personal representative of St. Gilbert's and the Catholoic Church for the inquirer. The inquirer may catch the spirit of the Church first from you. If you make that experience a constructive and hospitable one, the positive impressions will be long lasting.

A companion extends the community's welcome and support in a special way. Through companionship, you pass on the community's spirit. As you share your faith with your inquirer you, too, will uncover new dimensions of what it means to be a Catholic Christian.

Being a companion is like being a good friend. You can't force it. You offer what you can. Real friends don't impose opinions on each other. Some friends need more help than others do. All friends need personal space and respect for their uniqueness.

Go out of your way to become acquainted with your inquirer. Try to attend as many of the RCIA classes as possible; the discussions and socializing that occur during the classes provide an excellent opportunity for you to get to know your inquirer, and they you. From time to time, ask them to attend Mass with you and your family on Sunday, so they have a chance to become comfortable with the Liturgy. Invite him or her for coffee or dinner. Call occasionally. Show your interest. But, most important, relax, be yourself, and be available to your inquirer whenever they need you.

You may be the companion for a person who has no previous experience with organized religion. This person's experience of prayer and scripture may be limited. Be patient, sensitive, and understanding with his or her development.

If your inquirer is converting to Catholicism from another faith be sensitive to that person's religious background. He or she may have been very involved in their previous church. Don't discount that. Respect it, learn from it, and build on it.

A companion may have many traits, some of which are:

• A companion listens: Good listening creates the right climate for sharing. Inquirers will quickly sense if we are really listening, giving them our undivided attention. They judge our interest in them by the way we listen to what they have to say.
• A companion is a guide: You will walk with the inquirer throughout the formation process. It will be just as much a journey for you as for the one you companion. Openness to your own spiritual growth will help your inquirer be more open to conversion. Be available. Assure them of your willingness to help whenever there is doubt or comfort when there is inner conflict, but never breach a confidence.
• A companion is a witness: As a companion, you are a witness to your inquirer throughout the RCIA process. However, keep in mind that your formal part as a witness is found in the Rite of Election or the rite of calling inquirers to continuing conversion before the Bishop, when you are asked if you consider these inquirers ready to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.
• A companion prays: Pray for your inquirer; pray for yourself that you may be a faithful witness of the Gospel to your inquirer and to all those God places in your path. Praying doesn't need a lot of words. Talk to God like you would talk to your best friend, or perhaps just sit and think. In fact, a good part of our prayer time may be spent in silence.
• A companion is a catechist: Answer questions honestly, but don't feel threatened if you don't have the answer. Help find the answer or resolve an issue. This will show the inquirer how to find answers to questions later on.
• A companion is a model: An inquirer picks up from a companion what being a Catholic is all about. Relax; don't try to be perfect. Nobody is. We all have imperfections. Welcome this time as a companion to renew your own continuing conversion.
• A companion serves as a bridge: You are a bridge between the inquirer and the Church. Make sure they know the pastoral staff and the people they can turn to during formation. We take many things in our Church for granted: the language, the feasts, the rites, the ways we pray, the calendar, etc. Inquirers may well ask questions about them.
• A companion gives freedom to the inquirer: Don't hold too tightly to your inquirer. Allow them to probe and choose. We must allow them the freedom to decide whether they want to become Catholics. Some inquirers will need encouragement and others will leave the program. This does not reflect on the companion. The fact that the person felt free to leave means he or she was not held back by artificial controls. Also, don’t be surprised if your inquirer naturally develops deep friendships with others involved in RCIA. It is not unusual for this to happen during the course of our journey with them, as we learn more about each other and share things that we have in common.
• If you respond to God's call to conversion actively rather than passively with the inquirer, you'll be a better representative and witness of the Church and of our parish community, and as a result your ministry as a companion will be richly rewarding.
• In general, it is expected that companions will
  • Pray for inquirers
  • Participate in all of the rites at Church
    • Rite of Acceptance in November
    • Rite of Election at Holy Name Cathedral in Spring
    • 3 Rites of Scrutiny in Lent
    • Rite of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
  • Participate in the Day of Reflection
  • Attend most of the Wednesday evening sessions and connect with them at each meeting to see how they’re doing
  • Represent inquirers and their needs to Greg and the rest of the team
  • Invite them and their family to join you at mass one Sunday
  • Call them occasionally to see how they are doing
  • Ask them what questions they have and help them find answers – you don’t need to know the answers, just a way to help them find the answers