Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
This editor’s note appeared in the January 2009 issue of Religion Teacher’s Journal. I recently met a couple who have been married 51 years. As I was expressing my admiration at the duration of their marriage, the husband smiled and said, “We’re still hoping it’s going to work out.” He was joking, but, if you’re […]
Do sacraments make a difference?
Last week, I was rushing to get out the door for Midnight Mass (which for some inexplicable reason was being celebrated at 9:00 p.m.). As I looking for my car keys, I heard an NPR reporter reading a snippet of Pope Benedict’s homily from the Midnight Mass at the Vatican. Later, I wished I’d chosen
A homily catechumens should hear
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation…. The way of faith God has revealed God’s self fully by sending his own
Becky added a comment to a previous post I wrote on the various types of baptized candidates we might encounter in an RCIA process. She suggested we might also encounter folks who were unbaptized and yet catechized. That got me thinking about what we mean by “catechized.” Obviously, most of our unbaptized catechumens will reach
Can you be be unbaptized and catechized in the RCIA?
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another…. The way of faith Baptism is the first and chief
Catechesis for Feast of the Holy Family
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II 1 Thes 5:16-24 Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus…. The way of faith The church invites the faithful to regular prayer: daily prayers, the Liturgy of the Hours, Sunday
Catechesis for Third Sunday of Advent, B
At the Forum Convocation last November, keynote speaker Richard Gaillardetz noted that the New Testament was written in Greek. That is significant, he said, because it means the New Testament was not written in Aramaic, the language of Jesus. (I think he was quoting, but I can’t make out my notes clearly.) I had never
Does the RCIA translate into today's culture?
Paragraph 75 of the RCIA lists the four pillars of catechesis that we are expected to provide for the catechumens. The RCIA says they are to have a “mature” ability in each of these four areas. “Mature” means mature for a beginner in the faith. We don’t except the catechumens to have the same level
How do RCIA catechists model "service"?
Reading II 2 Pt 3:8-14 But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. The way of faith By death the soul is separated from the body, but in the resurrection God will give incorruptible life to our body, transformed by reunion with our soul. Just as
Catechesis for Second Sunday of Advent, B
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II 1 Cor 1:3-9 He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. The way of faith What Christ entrusted to the apostles, they in turn handed on by their preaching and writing, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to
Catechesis for First Sunday of Advent
