Seventeen years ago, I left the professional ministry field and started a career in publishing. Ever since then, I’ve been fascinated by the intersection between business values and spiritual values. There can be a tendency among ministry folks to stereotype business people as being completely focused on money. Recent stories about unscrupulous bankers and greedy […]
Do you run your RCIA like a business? Maybe you should
Here is a list of previous posts having to do with RCIA and Lent. Also, be sure to click on the “Lent” link in the keywords box, below left. Choreographing the Scrutinies Don’t catechize in Lent What are the proper prayers for the scrutinies? 9 Ways to Treat the Elect Like Royalty Reckless Love: A
RCIA in Lent: 6 must-read posts
On Monday of this week (February 9, 2009) the New York Times published an article saying the Catholic Church is bringing back indulgences. The article has caused a storm of comments on the Internet, and most of the comments are of the dumbfounded, mouth-dropping type, wondering why the Catholic Church would return to the practice
Selling indulgences? What RCIA leaders need to know
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II 1 Cor 10:31-11:1 Brothers and sisters, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God…. The way of faith To proclaim the faith and to plant his reign, Christ sends his apostles and their successors. He gives them a share in
Catechesis for 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B
St. Julie Billiart Parish in San José, California, is holding a novena, devoted to St. Joseph the Worker, as a prayer for all those who are unemployed or have lost their homes. The novena is being held in the homes of parishioners, who will lead those who assemble in praying the Rosary. What a trifecta
Parish life as catechesis—a great example
One practice that has become somewhat popular is to remove the water from the font or cover the font completely during the Lenten season. While this may be a dramatic sign of thirsting and dryness, this practice does not in fact support one of the main themes of Lent: Lent is marked by two themes,
As we approach Lent, it might be helpful to review some information about fasting and abstinence. There are many kinds of fasts, and several reasons to fast. As Catholics, we tend to think of fasting as either reducing our food intake or giving up a treasured treat. The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship lists four
An RCIA guide to fasting in Lent
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 Brothers and sisters: If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!… The way of faith The church has received a missionary
Catechesis for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B
I recently read this line in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: The sacrament of baptism cannot be repeated and therefore it is not permitted to confer it again conditionally, unless there is a reasonable doubt about the fact or validity of the baptism already conferred. If serious investigation raises such prudent doubt and
Conditional baptism? Three interesting thoughts
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II 1 Cor 7:32-35 Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord…. The way of faith The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with
Catechesis for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
