When we have baptized candidates in the RCIA, we run into a lot of complications. Ironically, training unbaptized catechumens who have little or no Christian formation can seem simpler and easier. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are three things we can do to simplify the formation process for baptized candidates. The […]
Everybody into the pool — sorting the baptized candidates in the RCIA
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. All Saints’ Day Background: In a culture that is living more and more in a denial of death, this festival reminds us that we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” who “have run the race and kept the faith.” Yet
Reflection questions for seekers — All Saints Day to Christ the King Sunday, Year A
Q: What is the history of the Easter Vigil being the moment for the elect celebrating initiation? A. This is a great question! I wish there were an equally great answer. The truth is, it’s complicated. There are really two questions here. When did the church start celebrating the Easter Vigil, and when did the Easter
Q&A: Why does the RCIA say that Easter Vigil is when we should baptize?
For those of you who are Star Trek fans, the term “first contact” has a special meaning—it’s that moment when the Federation (typically humans) encounter an alien race for the first time. In the Star Trek universe, how well that “first contact” goes can have repercussions for generations, be it the positive relationship that developed
Is your RCIA open all year-round? First contact: Catechizing your parish on talking with seekers
Rosie Rundell has been a Pastoral Associate for Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, Kansas, for 21 years. She has been involved with RCIA ministry for over 30 years in four different parishes. She received her undergraduate degree from Benedictine University, Atchison, Kansas; a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry and a certificate in Spiritual Direction
A year-round, apprenticeship model for RCIA gives me confidence that we are forming disciples
Q: Since the catechumens and candidates come into the church at the Easter Vigil, how do you handle someone who wants to join RCIA in, say, March, when the others in the RCIA process have been there for several months? A. This is an important question, and it gets to the heart of how parishes have
Q&A: What if someone wants to join the RCIA in March?
Evangelization and outreach Host a weekly or monthly online chat on “What Catholics Think about _______.” Fill in the blank with common questions about Catholics or else whatever is in the news right now. For example: What Catholics Think about the Bible What Catholics Think about Saints What Catholics Think about Climate Change What Catholics
50 ideas for RCIA teams during the pandemic
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Background: Jesus the prophet again tells a story to the religious leaders that reminds us all that what matters in the kingdom/reign of God is not just words but actions that embody love. We will be good stewards of the kingdom/reign only by bearing such good fruit. Discussion Questions Describe
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers — 27th-30th Sundays in Ordinary Time, Year A
Q: How do we “see” the signs of readiness with children and youth for celebrating the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens? A. This is a great question. Thinking through the process of discernment for children and youth really challenges us to understand why discernment is important in the first place. In the
Q&A: How do RCIA teams discern the readiness of children for becoming catechumens?
Perhaps one of the most common questions I hear when moving to a year-round process is, do we need to break everyone up into separate groups to facilitate the preparation process? In other words, keeping together certain cohorts who may be on a similar path? Or keeping cohorts who “started” together in a separate group?
Is your RCIA open all year-round? Having all your seekers around the same table
