I am not completely finished RCIA yet but so far it has been a very trying experience (as those who read my previous journal would know). It's difficult when you go in hungering for information and instead are given personal (and flawed) opinions. BUT it has been a good experience in a way because it is teaching me a lot of humility (it is difficult to keep your mouth shut when people are saying things you know are incorrect), patience and, yes, even love.
But last night as we sat through yet another session of introductions and 'I love our parish!' discussions I had the sad thought that if I hadn't already made up my mind RCIA would NOT have been a good introduction to the Catholic Church. I would have walked out long ago, out of boredom and frustration if nothing else.
Ultimately, RCIA is NOT a good tool to bring converts in. Maybe it's all right for people who have never had a religion of their own, but for converts it is pretty much useless.
I enjoyed/enjoy meeting the parishioners. I even enjoy hearing them praising their parish, but the stories they tell are no different then any story I've heard in any Protestant parish. They're surface touching feel good stories that mean very little in the grand scheme of things.
After each meeting the Sister asks us; Do you have any questions?, and sometimes: Did you learn anything?
And there is always a resounding silence that SHOULD be speaking volumes and yet every meeting she still asks. I can say one thing, she is nothing if not persistent.
