Adults preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and/or Confirmation and Eucharist) through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are paired with a parishioner, who accompanies them through the RCIA process. Called sponsors, these companions provide friendship, encouragement, help connect the RCIA candidates with the parish and offer an example of the Catholic way of life.

Sponsors are the bridge between our catechumens and candidates and the rest of the parish. Our priests celebrate the sacraments of the faith and our catechists teach the faith, but our sponsors share the faith personally, energetically. A candidate’s weekly conversations with her sponsor shapes her understanding of what it actually means to be a Catholic. Candidates learn how to worship by going to Mass with their sponsors. They learn to pray by praying with their sponsors. They learn from their sponsors about all the little unspoken things that make up the fabric of Catholic life. A faithful sponsor can make the difference between whether a newly confirmed Catholic feels welcomed by the parish or alienated. And an effective team of sponsors can make the difference between a parish that grows spiritually and a parish that stagnates. 

To be a sponsor, you need to be a practicing Catholic You must be ready to commit your time and attention to your candidate on Sunday mornings. And you must to be willing to watch your own faith journey deepen as you witness your candidate’s conversion. 

To become an RCIA sponsor, contact Jon Stotts at jon.stotts@ctk-nashville.org or 615-777-8910.

Need more encouragement? Here are 10 reasons to become an RCIA sponsor:

1. You’re excited about the Catholic Church.
Spread your love for all things Catholic! Nothing invigorates the RCIA more than sponsors who aren’t shy about their love for the Church. Your enthusiasm will motivate your candidate to learn more and practice deeply. 
2. You want to be excited about the Catholic Church.
 Sometimes we all need a pick-me-up. Walking alongside a candidate in the midst of conversion gives you the opportunity to revisit your own relationship to Christ and his Church.
3. You went through the RCIA.
You already know how valuable the role of the sponsor is. It’s time for you to pass it along to a new candidate. 
4. Your spouse went through the RCIA.
Odds are you’ve benefitted from being in full communion with your spouse. Give the gift of full communion to others by being a sponsor.
5. You want the parish to grow.
Growth isn’t just about numbers. We grow spiritually as we become a community that spreads the hope of the gospel. Share this hope as a sponsor, and watch the parish come alive.
6. You want to give back to the parish.
Has Christ the King done anything for you? Given you communion? Married you? Baptized your babies? Celebrate your gratitude by giving your time as a sponsor. 
7. You have valuable experiences to share with others.
Being a sponsor is about forming a relationship with an apprentice Catholic. You don’t have to be an expert -- you just need to be willing to share your thoughts, struggles, and hopes. 
8. You love to have one-on-one conversations.
Catechists are responsible for teaching the faith. A sponsor is not a catechist. Your role is to walk alongside someone who wants full communion with the Church, listening to their experiences and sharing your own.  
9. You want to learn more about the traditions and practices of the Church.
We have a team of expert catechists who love to share their wisdom every Sunday. Come as a sponsor and discover what you wish you had known all along.
10. You want to grow in prayer.
Become a sponsor and pray for your candidate every day. Bring your candidate’s wishes, struggles, hopes, and experience before God, as though they were your own, and see your prayer life come alive. 

Help the RCIA ministry spread the joy of the Gospel throughout the parish. Become a sponsor. 

To become an RCIA sponsor, contact Jon Stotts at jon.stotts@ctk-nashville.org or 615-777-8910.