Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
In my last few articles, I’ve shared thoughts about what it means for individual catechists—and entire parishes—to move from comfort to mission. Pope Francis challenges us to go forth—to step outside the safe, familiar routines we’ve grown accustomed to and to risk getting “bruised” for the sake of the gospel. Now I want to ask, […]
Can your parish change the world? What would happen if…?
In a previous article, we explored how each of us, as catechists, is called to move beyond our comfort zones and embrace the audacity of faith in our personal lives. Pope Francis has challenged us to be bold, to risk being “bruised” for the sake of the gospel rather than remaining “ill” within the confines
From maintenance to mission: Revitalizing our parishes for the future
In a previous article, we discussed what it might mean for us as catechists to step outside our comfort zones. Now, let’s ask a more challenging question: What would happen if our parishes decided to step outside their comfort zones? Pope Francis doesn’t just want you and me to go out, to venture to the
Can our parishes truly become missionary?
From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has emphasized the difference between being a catechist and working as one. “To ‘be’ catechists! Not to ‘work’ as catechists: this will not do. I work as a catechist because I like to teach… But unless you ‘are’ a catechist, it is no good! You will not
Going forth: The audacity of being a catechist
On the journey of faith, discernment is a shared responsibility. The catechumenate process isn’t just about sponsors and catechists evaluating seekers as though we are the gatekeepers of God’s grace. Discernment is a collaborative effort whereby seekers actively participate in discerning the will of the Holy Spirit for their own next steps. Our job is
Collaborative Discernment in the Catechumenate
In a chilly church basement, surrounded by anxious parishioners, I once explained the importance of spiritual accompaniment in the catechumenate process. I also outlined the church’s criteria for judging the readiness of a seeker to move forward to the next step of the initiation process. A local farmer, his hands rough and calloused, looked at
The art of discernment: Accompanying seekers on their unique faith journeys
When I started out in catechumenate ministry, I worried I wouldn’t cover all the necessary teachings for seekers to become good Catholics. I had a literal checklist of doctrines to ensure I didn’t miss anything. What I had to learn is what Pope Benedict XVI later said about faith: “Being Christian is not the result
The art of spiritual accompaniment: Going beyond doctrinal checklists
The first time I became a catechumenate team leader was super stressful. It was more than 30 years ago, and I had just moved to San Jose, California. I went to an “information meeting” at my new parish to find out more about their catechumenate ministry. I walked into the middle of an argument the
Rediscovering joy: Stress management for catechumenate teams
Most Sundays, I arrive at church about 30 minutes before Mass. I’ve assigned myself the job of meeting new people until Mass starts. As an introvert, this is challenging, but framing it as my “job” helps me do it. One Sunday, while greeting people, I met a woman in her mid-30s. When I asked if
Practical steps for welcoming seekers: A guide for catechumenate teams
In this article, I want to talk about finding and welcoming inquirers. The truth is, you probably have potential inquirers showing up at your parish every weekend. And even though it likely says something in your mission statement about being a welcoming parish, most of those potential inquirers do not come back for a second
Finding and welcoming more inquirers
