Last Sunday, the pastor of the church I was visiting stood up during the announcements and asked everyone to exchange name tags after we finished the closing song. The point, he said, was to find someone we did not know, introduce ourselves, and share one thing we would like the other person to pray for […]
Use the liturgy to teach RCIA catechumens how to live
Has this ever happened to you? You’re watching a movie or a TV show. Somewhere close to the end of the show, your spouse walks into the living room. He or she gets drawn into the show and asks, “What’s this story about?” When the show breaks for a commercial, you have two minutes to
Six amazing things every RCIA inquirer has to learn
Saint Peter has one of the best lines in all of Scripture: “These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!” (Acts 2:15). This is, of course, Peter’s explanation to the people of Jerusalem about why the disciples seemed totally inebriated on Pentecost day. You remember the story, right? All
Is your RCIA process a little drunk?
Diana and I just returned from the Diocese of Erie where we had an amazing institute with 100 RCIA leaders from a half-dozen dioceses. Our host, Sr. Nancy Fischer who has been serving the diocese for 29 years(!), told us she was planning for 80 participants and praying for 100. Sr. Nancy is a passionate
Eastern and Midwest RCIA leaders learn how to involve the whole parish
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is filled with understated little phrases that, if you scratch them a bit, you discover they are packed with meaning. For example, look at the very first sentence: The rite of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously
Do you know what the RCIA is waiting for?
Ninety enthusiastic RCIA leaders gathered recently in Edmonton, Alberta, to explore the deep structure of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and how we can use that to make disciples. We began on Friday evening and discussed the underlying principles of the RCIA. These six principles can be used to guide any formation process,
RCIA is flourishing in Western Canada
1. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Why is this book important? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the authoritative teaching of the church on the purpose and process of initiation. It is the Vatican II vision of the initiation process that answers the mandate of Jesus Christ to go and baptize. What
Top five RCIA resource materials for your team
In RCIA ministry, there are 1,000 things to do. There are things you want to do, things you should do, things you could do, and things you have to do. Start with what you have to do. Start at the heart. For example, if you are planning a dinner party, you might focus on cleaning
