Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
I sometimes wonder if we ask enough of RCIA sponsors. In quite a few parishes, sponsors are not required to do very much. They are asked to be present for the public rituals. But if they cannot make it, a proxy is provided. They are asked to participate in the catechetical sessions, but if they […]
Are you asking your RCIA sponsors to sacrifice enough? A three-part job description
Perhaps we need a new model for thinking about the role of RCIA sponsors. The model that many parishes have is something like a friend who drops by occasionally. Granted, many of you have deeper expectations than that of the sponsors in your process. But that fact that a profound commitment from sponsors is seen
Seven ways AA sponsors can inspire RCIA sponsors
Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Cicero, and Jesus all have two things in common. They were all great teachers. And they didn’t teach children. Even so, as ancient as society’s emphasis on adult education has been, there is surprising little research on how to effectively educate adults. The first academic studies began to emerge in the
What research says about teaching adults in the RCIA
As we approach the beginning of Lent, it is a good time to think about how we teach the catechumens to pray. The best way, of course, is by example. So here is a list of suggestions for deepening our prayer lives this Lent. Pray at a set time Make an appointment with yourself to
17 best prayer practices for RCIA team members
When twelve-year-old Connor started nodding off in our children’s RCIA session, I knew it was time for me to stop talking and for everyone else to get up and move. As a catechist in children’s RCIA, I sometimes have to resist the urge to talk too much. No matter how brilliant our RCIA session may
Four ways to keep your children’s RCIA catechesis from boring your kids to tears
Without looking it up, can you tell me what your parish mission statement is? If you can, can all the members of the parish council? And what about the RCIA team? And if they can, can the parents whose children are in the school or religious education process tell me? What about the neophytes in
6 essential rules for communicating a new RCIA vision
Your parish is about to change. Here’s why. This Sunday, look around at the people in the pews. Then estimate what percentage of those people will be retired in ten years. Now look for the 20- and 30-somethings. Are there enough of them present to fill the shoes of those who will be retiring? Trends
Get an RCIA vision for your parish (angelic visitation optional)
In 1983, I interviewed for my first job as a parish liturgist. The silver-haired pastor sat behind an imposing desk in his wood-paneled office. I sat on the other side of the desk in one of those chairs that you sink into and that makes it impossible for you to sit up straight. At one
Make the shift from “RCIA team” to “coalition for change”
Every year I struggle with whether or not to ask child catechumens to come during their Christmas vacation for dismissal sessions on Sunday morning during Mass. By this time of year, the families usually need a break and my family often goes out of town over Christmas. It’s easier just to not meet during Christmas.
What about Christmas vacation for child catechumens?
