Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults includes a Rite of Welcoming the Candidates as an optional rite that welcomes baptized but previously uncatechized adults (411). However, there is no rite for welcoming baptized catechized adults. As a result, the catechized candidates are often folded into the welcoming rite for the uncatechized. Free download: An […]
An alternative Rite of Welcome
I’ve just finished the first draft of a new book for catechumens and candidates in the RCIA process. My goal was to help the catechumens and candidates understand what it means to see and respond to the world through Catholic eyes. The book isn’t a catechetical text. That’s what their parish formation sessions are for.
Once you master the goal-setting and limit-busting process we explored in the previous posts (here, here, and here), you will be ready to do something really big. How big? As big as you can imagine. If you can dream it up, you can set a goal for getting it. Free download: What is adult learning
Teach catechumens to dream big—by example
Here are some wonderful meditations for Holy Week from Rita Ferrone: Free download: Holy Saturday Retreat for the Elect
Holy Week meditations—not just for catechumenate teams
In the first post in this series, we looked at the various ways in which we limit ourselves. We said there are three kinds of limits: personal, team, and parish. In the next post, we explored the secret for turning our limits in to opportunities. That process is: write down a positive goal. Now we’re
A 5-step, dreams-to-reality process for RCIA teams
We all live within limits. However, there is a simple process for turning limits into opportunities. It is so simple, you may have trouble believing it will work. The process is: Write it down. Free download: Rethinking the core Catholic content as we move to ongoing initiation Write down your goals Write down what you
Lesson from a VW Beetle: Turn your limits into opportunities
All of us live within limits. This is a paradox. It is a paradox because we tell the catechumens that God’s love has no limits. God can overcome any obstacle. We tell the catechumens that no matter what their situation or their history, God will show them a solution. We say that. And at the
I read a blog post on delegating that has some interesting ideas for busy RCIA team leaders. Sometimes the leader is the whole team, and there is no one to delegate tasks to. Michael Hyatt lists seven strategies for distributing or reducing your workload. I’m going to reframe three of them for the work we
3 ways to delegate when you have no RCIA team
Virtual Learning Community posted an excellent video of Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk speaking about the faith of the church. Archbishop Pilarczyk makes the claim that we can give a full summary of everything the church teaches in less than five minutes. And then he goes on to prove it! Don’t miss this excellent catechist in action.
Church teaching in less than five minutes
What is the meaning of the symbol of ashes on Ash Wednesday and where do the ashes come from? What are the fasting regulations for Lent? Should we empty the baptismal font for Lent? But aren’t we fasting from water during Lent? Like Jesus did in the desert? Who signs the Book of the Elect?
17 frequently asked questions about Lent
