RCIA Table 2

We May Be #2 In Number, But We are #1 In Your Hearts

By Eric Brooks

The current RCIA group is arranged in 7 tables to facilitate fellowship and small group discussions. As we approach the Easter Vigil and their reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, I will be interviewing each table during their weekly meetings. This is the first of those seven interviews. 

If you are interested in becoming an RCIA candidate or sponsor, please contact Karen Cook in the parish office. 

Sitting down with Table 2 was not so much an interview as it was a comedy show. “He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” (Job 8:21)

The table consists of Rocky Black (sponsor and table comedian), Ray Brock (candidate), and Robbie Jobe (catechumen). After sprinting to the buffet to be first in line for dinner, Rocky, Ray, and Robbie were kind enough to speak with me.

To quote the 2014 movie John Wick, “It’s over a woman, of course.” Ray was born into a Methodist family, but as he describes it, “It seemed I always dated Catholic girls and then I married a Catholic girl.” He and his wife have three children, including two currently enrolled at our parish’s PSR, and Ray wanted to share the Catholic faith more fully with his family. As often happens, Ray’s interactions with his children since joining RCIA have helped to catechize his wife as well. Although they were active in the parish, Ray explains, “There was no why as to why we would do things.” For example, he was curious why the candle for the Third Sunday of Advent was pink instead of purple and the answer was, “Because it is.” 

Robbie was born into a Catholic family, attended St. Charles high school, and then Ohio Dominican University. However, his family only attended Mass on major liturgical holidays, and he never received Baptism or any other sacraments. This left Robbie wanting to learn more of his Catholic faith and to embrace it more fully. During the RCIA process, Robbie has been impressed by how accepting and welcoming our parish community is and once RCIA is finished, he wants to stay involved with other activities, moving beyond simply attending Mass on major holidays. 

As a sponsor, Rocky believes the spirit of RCIA is more important than simply imparting knowledge. He realizes that everyone is on a different part of their personal faith journey and knows how important it is to meet everyone where they are rather than where we would hope they might be. Rocky further explains that ten years ago, his approach to apologetics was, “To quote scripture and give long explanations.” Now he takes a more nuanced approach that seeks to share the spirit of the Catholic church and not simply bludgeon the listener with information. 

Having been raised Methodist, Ray was surprised the numerous Catholic stereotypes he was familiar with are not, in fact, true. For example, we do not worship Mary and are perfectly fine praying directly to God without an intercessor. A major epiphany for him was that Catholics, “Did not add seven books to the bible, the Protestants took them out.” Robbie has been impressed with the structure and history of the Catholic faith, the papal line of succession going back thousands of years to Peter himself and the repository of faith we have accumulated since then.

Both have appreciated how open the parish has been to them. Robbie explains, “Everyone is here for you.” 

On his deathbed, Saint David of Wales is reported to have said, “Be joyful brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things…” This has been taken to mean every moment is an opportunity to serve God, whether in the family kitchen, workplace, or classroom—all the little moments of our daily lives. 

I was reminded of this quote while speaking with Rocky, Ray, and Robbie. There is an inherent joyfulness to all three of them as well as in their interactions with each other. And they are very grounded in those little things. Rocky hopes that he can, “Permanently be on his wife’s good side,” while Ray prays, “To ensure my children thrive in faith and wealth.” Robbie wishes he could have known his grandparents better before they died at a young age. None of them clamored for fame or fortune, but they are wise enough to cherish those little moments. 

Behind their witty banter and easy comradery, I can tell that these are three men of deep faith. They have each arrived at the Catholic church from different places and for different reasons, but they are united in their shared faith. This eloquently illustrates the importance of the RCIA program. It does not merely instruct in the fundamentals of the Catechism of the Catholic Church or explain the logistics of our worship (sit, stand, kneel and please stay after the Eucharist until the end of Mass). Although RCIA does those things, it also builds community, a shared experience.

Following Christ’s crucifixion, the remaining apostles did not go on their separate ways; they gathered together in the Cenacle. (Mk 16:14) “Peter then came out with the other disciples, and they went toward the tomb.” (Jn 20:3), not Peter alone. “That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma’us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.” (Lk 24:13-14) Two of them talking and not one walking alone. “And they held steadfastly to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the saying of prayers.” (Acts 2:42) They held steadfastly together, not he held steadfastly individually. 

And trust me, from watching that sprint for the buffet line Rocky, Ray, and Robbie are very familiar with breaking bread together.

Table 2 is walking that road together; however, it is not just the three of them, but the entire RCIA class. Overhearing Table 2’s boast they are the best table, nearby Table 1 was quick to hold up their “Table 1” sign and wave it overhead. I am reminded of Criss Jami of the metal band Crymson Gryphon, “If you want to find the real competition just look in the mirror. After awhile you’ll see your rivals scrambling for second place.” 

Apparently Rocky’s humor is infectious. 

Read About Table #3