TeamRCIA just wrapped up a bilingual training institute in the diocese of Raleigh, NC. This was a special event for us. We have done bilingual institutes before, with the help of Spanish-speaking colleagues. On this institute, we still had help. Rose M. Hernández, director of formation and evangelization in the diocese of Fresno, led the […]
RCIA training in Raleigh diocese shows Catholic unity
Parishes have a tendency to shift into low gear during the summer. Schools are closed. Most school-aged formation programs shift to summer camp mode or shut down all together. The choir takes the summer off. The same was also true for initiation ministry. The catechumens have been initiated and the candidates have been received; what’s
Is your RCIA open all year-round? Much ado about summer
Previously, I wrote about the big paradigm shift caused by the Second Vatican Council. To understand the impact of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, we have to first of all realize the overall goal of the Second Vatican Council was to turn the pyramid upside down. Flowing from the upside-down-pyramid model, we received
RCIA requires big paradigm shifts, starting with these two
Do you remember when you first heard about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults? If you are a lifelong Catholic in your 40s or younger, you probably grew up experiencing the rites. Older Catholics, on the other hand, remember growing up without the catechumenate. I learned about the RCIA in the 1980s when I
RCIA: A radical, ground-breaking, world-shaking, world-transforming way of being church
One of the successes of the Second Vatican Council was a recovery of our ancient tradition of liturgy that is centered on the word of God. One of the keys to that success was the expansion of the lectionary. So since Vatican II, if someone goes to Mass every Sunday for three years, she will
The first part of Mass isn’t just about scripture
I have been having to say this more often lately. I’m not sure if that means our understanding of baptism is shrinking or (I rather hope) that so many more of us are beginning to grasp what baptism in its fullness means and that is generating a dialogue. In any case, while most TeamRCIA readers
Baptism isn’t just about water
When a person asks about becoming Catholic, our reflex kicks in to refer them to the RCIA process in a parish. What happens when an inquirer happens to be incarcerated? It is likely that the typical response has been to use the rite of baptism intended for infants. The thinking is probably that RCIA is
RCIA with incarcerated seekers
Easter Vigil is no doubt the high point for everyone going through the initiation process. As catechumenate leaders and team members we feel honored and privileged to have played a part in their faith journey. But with this great and holy night behind us, now what? According to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,
Is your catechumenate open all year-round? The period of mystagogy
Especially in this most unusual time, when many of our church buildings have remained closed, we at TeamRCIA are so grateful that the church’s mission continues through you. In these last few weeks, as many of you learned new ways of connecting, praying, and supporting our catechumens and candidates, we have been overwhelmed by your
Q: There is some discussion in our group around a new idea one of the team members has. Some are of the opinion that the candidates, those already baptized, should wear a white sort of cape which they would put on before the Vigil and wear throughout the whole of the Sacraments of Initiation, as
Q&A: Appropriate Attire for the Easter Vigil
