Episode 4: Active Listening
Learn a simple three-step process for deeply listening to inquirers and catechumens.FREE ARTICLE: Five reasons to stop talking to catechumens
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Listening for the Spirit in Mystagogical Accompaniment
Examples of mystagogical accompaniment Here are a few resources for Team Initiation members regarding mystagogical accompaniment. How To Lead Mystagogical Reflection (2a) – Team Initiation (This is a session in a mini-course titled “RCIA in the Midst of the Community: The Parish Curriculum for Making Disciples.” In this session, Nick and Diana engage in an
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Listening for the Spirit in Mystagogical Accompaniment
Walking with seekers: Mystagogical accompaniment as synodal listening
In several recent articles, we’ve explored how synodality—a way of walking together—is foundational to the catechumenate. In this article, I want to highlight a key component of both synodality and the catechumenate: listening for God’s Spirit. Listening is the heart of synodality and the catechumenate Pope Francis has consistently emphasized the importance of listening. He
Walking with seekers: Mystagogical accompaniment as synodal listening
Nurturing catechumens’ prayer life through active participation in the liturgy
A significant part of our job as catechumenate ministers is to accompany catechumens on their journey towards full initiation into the church. Their initiation will include joining us for the first time at the Table of the Lord. While catechumens are not yet able to approach the eucharistic table, their participation in the Liturgy of
Nurturing catechumens’ prayer life through active participation in the liturgy
Listening skills for RCIA sponsors
An essential skill for sponsors, and any catechumenate team member, is the ability to actively listen. Active listening is different than hearing. An active listener succeeds in hearing not only the words another person is saying but also understanding the meaning of the words from the speaker’s point of view. Active listening is not a
Listening skills for RCIA sponsors
Accompanying one another through conflict
In a previous article, I wrote about how we might apply the principles of synodality to conflict in the catechumenate process. In this article, I want to go a little more deeply into how we might accompany one another when conflict arises. Deepening our understanding of synodality To be honest, I don’t deal with conflict
Accompanying one another through conflict
Why synodality matters for your catechumenate ministry
I am struggling with how to start this article because synodality can be hard to describe. Honestly, the word itself can be a little confusing and maybe off-putting. If we’re familiar with it at all, we tend to think of a “synod” as something reserved for bishops. And that was true for a short time
Why synodality matters for your catechumenate ministry
Finding and welcoming more inquirers
In this article, I want to talk about finding and welcoming inquirers. The truth is, you probably have potential inquirers showing up at your parish every weekend. And even though it likely says something in your mission statement about being a welcoming parish, most of those potential inquirers do not come back for a second
Finding and welcoming more inquirers
Embracing the heart of evangelization
Are you comfortable with the idea of “evangelization”? Do you think your parishioners are? Like many of you, I grew up in a time when Catholic evangelization wasn’t at the forefront of our parish life. We were content to be followers, leaving the work of whatever we thought evangelization was to the priests and nuns.
Embracing the heart of evangelization
Nurturing gradual conversion: Tools for catechumenate teams
In a previous article, we explored why taking things step by step is important in helping people on their faith journey. But how does this work in the real world? How can catechumenate teams put the idea of gradual initiation into practice? I am not going to pretend it’s easy to do. A classroom structure
Nurturing gradual conversion: Tools for catechumenate teams
