Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
The number one roadblock for most organizations—including RCIA teams—is complacency. Allowing complacency to grow can be deadly. RCIA teams are supposed to be all about conversion. And complacency kills conversion. Most teams start out with a high level of enthusiasm for the conversion mission. And then one of two things often happens. The complacency level […]
Can your RCIA team recognize these 6 deadly barriers to conversion?
Last June, a new pastor was assigned to St. Zephinia Parish where Sally Soothewright was the director of the RCIA team. The pastor was an affable guy, and he quickly established himself as the leader of the parish. Sally was happy to have him on board—until it was time to celebrate the Rite of Acceptance.
Start changing your RCIA process now—before it’s too late!
After you dismiss the catechumens from the liturgy, what happens? I’ve heard lots of folks refer to “dismissal catechesis.” Are you doing catechesis during the dismissal session? Are you doing breaking open of the word? Do you ever “break open” anything besides the word—the opening prayer or the opening song, for example? Click here for
What happens during dismissal?
There are three ingredients in this secret formula. The first two are simple ingredients that you can pull off your shelf anytime. What I mean by “pull off the shelf” is that they are already present and waiting – right there in your parish. It’s the third ingredient that seems to be a secret. Ingredient
The secret formula for involving the parish school in children’s RCIA
Have you ever heard anyone tell you that you weren’t supposed to do these things in Advent? I have heard all of them. I’ve even said a few of them in the past: Don’t sing Christmas carols before Dec. 24 Don’t get too busy; Advent is a time of reflection Don’t go to the mall
5 ways to lead your RCIA participants from the North Pole to Jesus Christ this Christmas
In 1952, educator Robert Havighurst wrote: “When the timing is right, the ability to learn a particular task will be possible. This is referred to as a ‘teachable moment.’ It is important to keep in mind that unless the time is right, learning will not occur” (Human Development and Education). So how do you know
The right way and the wrong way to do a “teaching Mass”—according to the pope
Are you providing a complete catechesis for your catechumens and candidates? A key element in their catechesis is being able to worship with a full understanding of the liturgy. And to do that, they have to understand what the symbols mean. Symbols are the language of the liturgy Symbols are a vocabulary and a grammar.
How to provide a complete RCIA catechesis: use liturgical symbols
I was once part of an RCIA team along with another catechist who had a great devotion to St. Michael. Whenever she would lead a session, somehow the conversation always got around to St. Michael. On the team I’m currently with, one member is a dedicated supporter of our parish food pantry for the poor.
Wow! The universal truth RCIA teams can learn from box-office hits
If you have been working in RCIA ministry for a number of years, you may have already noticed some shifts in the way you need to minister. These trends in the United States are upending our usual patterns and causing us to rethink our processes. Catholics are leaving the northeast Catholics are leaving the northeast
Surprising demographic trends that will change the way you do RCIA
In the Eastern rite churches, just before Eucharist begins, the deacon chants, “Kairos tou poiesai to Kyrio” (“It is time [kairos] for the Lord to act”); indicating that the time of the liturgy is an intersection with eternity. One icy fall away from eternity Have you ever been to a liturgy like that? Or have
Wow! Do you know the secret for creating real presence for RCIA participants?
