The Good News of Christmas
Blessed Christmas to you from all of us here at TeamRCIA! May Jesus, the Word Become Flesh, dwell in you that all may know our good and gracious God.
Articles
Why conversion is so important in the Rite (Order) of Christian Initiation of Adults
On the Third Sunday of Advent, I went to a church where a friend of mine is the pastor. I arrived a few minutes late, and I was surprised the liturgy hadn’t started yet. The Mass was being celebrated in the church basement because the church itself was being renovated. And the renovation was four
Why conversion is so important in the Rite (Order) of Christian Initiation of Adults
Sponsors and godparents in the Christian initiation process
One of the best experiences I’ve had as a godparent has been forming and training other godparents and sponsors. The stories of friendships and responsibilities lived out have been gentle and significant reminders of how serious this ministry is. It isn’t the degrees, certificates, or initials behind a name that are evidence of a sincere
Sponsors and godparents in the Christian initiation process
How to fit in square pegs when our formation process is a round hole
We all know the saying about not being able to fit square pegs into round holes. When we accompany others on the journey of faith, we are almost always in the business of getting squares to fit into rounds. In some sense, that is what we mean be conversion. People are living “square” lives and
How to fit in square pegs when our formation process is a round hole
What to say instead of “OCIA”
When the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is retranslated, the new title of the rite will be Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. We’ve already seen some people referring to the new translation as “OCIA.” This is probably fine if you are referring to the written text of the document, “Order of Christian Initiation
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers: Year C – The 2nd Sunday of Advent to the Feast of the Holy Family
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. 2nd Sunday in Advent Background: We are a work in progress. Even including our catechumens, God’s good work has already been begun in us and is moving on to completion. Yet once again we have to do our part; we must face […]
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What are celebrations of the word? How to give your RCIA seekers a foretaste of heaven
When I was in college in the late 1970s, I read the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy for the first time. I remember highlighting and underlining so many phrases from that document. It was like someone had given me the key to a treasure chest. Some key passages include the teaching that Christ is present
What are celebrations of the word? How to give your RCIA seekers a foretaste of heaven
Uncover the hidden gem of RCIA formation—celebrations of the word
I discovered how to be a catechist for seekers almost by accident. When I was in my 20s, I learned all about liturgy, and I worked in a parish that had a vibrant catechumenate ministry. My role in that ministry was to plan and facilitate the rites for the seekers. When I was in my
Uncover the hidden gem of RCIA formation—celebrations of the word
Preparing for the new translation of the Order (Rite) of Christian Initiation of Adults
It seems like only last month because the memories are so keen when I met Fr. Jim Dunning for the first time. He and Christiane Brusselmans were giving short courses and workshops on the new Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In his 1978 book New Wine: New Wineskins, he set the tone for this
Preparing for the new translation of the Order (Rite) of Christian Initiation of Adults
46 ways to accompany seekers even if you’re not in charge of the RCIA process
Antonia is the catechumenate coordinator in her parish. She recently went to a diocesan workshop that encouraged parishes to accompany seekers all year long — not just October to April. She got very excited about implementing some of what she learned. But the pastor likes the current school model and refuses to change. Theo had
46 ways to accompany seekers even if you’re not in charge of the RCIA process
