RCIA Workshops-Our Lady of Lourdes Church

A friend told me that there is something new, something exciting at the weekly RCIA workshops , so why don't I drop by to experience it for myself. So I took her advise and drop by for a little visit, Sunday afternoon, to see what the interesting new development was. First, the candidates, hmmmm...a very interesting batch of new faces, then ah..new faces to the team, three very senior parish members. Rachel? Where on earth did she get all her energy from? And of course the wonderful original members of the team, Louis, Alan, Ron, Daniel, Elaine, Sam (others, on the team but not around today) the golden backbone of the team. Good to see you again people !

Way to go farmers of God! The time you spend planting seeds and nuturing them in Jesus's name will surely bring in the grace and blessings for yourselves.

And what's new? An Introduction to the Early World? Journey through the Bible? For RCIA candidates? There was a big question mark in my mind at first. That was compounded by the inability to hear the lessons due to fierce competition for God's attention, coming from just below. Apparently our foreign brothers and sisters were having a fellowship in the hall below and the sounds of their praise and worship practically drown out the lessons presented on the screen. What struck me were ....RCIA candidates straining their ears to catch the lessons, as best as they could... The element of wanting to know more........Interesting! I raised an eyebrow at Bro Ron, ( you know indirectly, telling him, hey! brother! why don't you do something?) and he smiling told me, "these brothers and sisters are praising and worshipping God and we cannot stop them expressing their love for God. Indeed, we cannot, everyone of us deserves attention and love from the Lord, nobody should be stopped from pouring out their joy.. Wow! Beautiful! Must be the Holy Spirit working within him.

Very wisely , the word sharing was pushed up and the video session pushed back.

Then wonders of wonders! the sound system decided to behave and out came the words flowing loud and clear. Bible lessons classroom style, conducted in an easy to understand fashion. It certainly is a good way to introduce the Bible to the new candidates and I just know that at the end of the workshops, even if the candidates do not score 100%, they would at least graduate with a good basic knowledge of the Bible.

I, for one find the lessons comfortably paced, not too demanding on the mind, informative, and easy to comprehend. The candidates are adults so it should be well received. What's more, God's farmers are perpetually on standby mode-ever ready with their fertilizers and water hoses, to feed and water the new seedlings sprouting from the fertile grounds, if needs be.

RCIA Facilitators, the candidates past and current owe you their thanks! Our thanks to Father John, the Parish Sheperd as well!