"We were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well" (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
Position: RCIA Godparent/Sponsor
Accountable to: RCIA Coordinator and, ultimately, the pastor
Short-term commitment: Duration of participant's presence in the RCIA process
Weekly RCIA sessions
Participation in all relevant liturgical rites
Regular personal contact with participant
Willingness to advise leadership on participant's progress
Note: A Candidate may choose not to become a Catholic, which we must respect and not take personally
Long-term commitment: Life (if chosen as godparent for the sacraments)
Regular contact especially during the new Catholic's first year
Periodic personal contact thereafter
Some Practical Suggestions:
Pray for your Candidate daily, and find someone to pray for you in your role
Develop rapport - Sit together during RCIA sessions and at Mass
Invite your candidate out for coffee after Mass, or to your home for lunch, and to appropriate parish social, devotional, or apostolic functions; explain things that might not be known
Introduce your Candidates to other parishioners, to widen their support network
Talk about your love for Christ and the Church, and about your journey of faith
Listen to your Candidate's questions, challenges, and joys, and offer friendly advice where needed; refer your Candidate to the Pastor or a Catechist as necessary
Witness to your Candidate's progress (or lack thereof) when called on by the Pastor or Coordinator. Your input is very important to the discernment process
A solemn exhortation from St John Chrysostom, 4th Century Bishop of Constantinople
"They should not consider that what they are doing is a routine action. Rather, they should be fully aware that they will share the credit if they guide their charges to the path of virtue by their advice, but if they are negligent, then grave condemnation will fall upon them. For this reason, it is the custom to call them 'spiritual fathers' in order that they may learn from their office the affection they owe to their charges in giving them spiritual instruction. For if it is a noble thing to lead those who are in no way connected with us to desire virtue, we have a much greater duty to fulfill this obligation to one whom we have received to the position of spiritual son. To sum up, negligence brings no small danger to those of you who are acting as sponsors."