Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
When we engage in the art of catechesis, we can group people into three broad categories. First, there are those who know little or nothing about Jesus. Then there are those who recognize Jesus as the source of true peace and joy, but they do not know much more than that. Finally, there are those […]
Six “best practices” for every RCIA catechist
Years ago, an RCIA team I was on encountered a woman who did not know that Jesus was the Son of God. And she had no understanding at all of the Holy Spirit. Not all that unusual, is it? That same year, however, a Methodist man asked us about becoming Catholic. He was a good
Is your RCIA team catechizing at all the levels the church expects?
The period of the precatechumenate is all about evangelization. Don’t send seekers away, asking them to come back later. Use these simple skills to engage them immediately.
Sunday mornings were a whirlwind of drama when I was a kid. My mother, a single parent, was like a hen trying to round up her uncooperative chicks to get us to Mass each week. I think of those days when I read in the RCIA, “The Church, like a mother, helps the catechumens on
Why RCIA sponsors are like poultry
One of the most challenging duties for sponsors is to model an apostolic lifestyle for the catechumens (see RCIA 75.4). Most sponsors live an apostolic lifestyle, but if you asked them to describe what that looked like or how they do it, they might have some difficulty. Why an RCIA sponsor’s lifestyle is so important
Do your RCIA sponsors know the single reason for Jesus’ death and resurrection?
[quote] Move toward an excellent initiation process by focusing on the unbaptized.
Are you overloading the RCIA “boat”?
Take one simple step toward an excellent RCIA process in your parish.
Don’t settle for a “pretty good” RCIA process
RCIA sponsors are supposed to be good examples. It says so right there in RCIA 75.2: As they become familiar with the Christian way of life, and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear
Five essential elements of an RCIA sponsor’s job description
If you are feeling overwhelmed—or even just “whelmed”—with your responsibilities on the RCIA team, you may not be asking enough of the RCIA sponsors. The sponsors have a significant, three-part role to play in the formation of the catechumens. Among their responsibilities is to assist the catechumens on their faith journey. The RCIA is silent
A simple plan for involving RCIA sponsors in providing a suitable catechesis
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
