Author name: Rita Burns Senseman

Rita Burns Senseman is Pastoral Associate at St. Benedict Parish in Terre Haute, Indiana. She is also a freelance writer who has written books and articles on various aspects of Christian initiation, including A Child’s Journey: The Christian Initiation of Children (TeamRCIA) and a confirmation preparation program, Anointed in the Spirit, (St. Mary’s Press). Formerly, Rita was Associate Director of Catechetics/Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She has been involved in initiation and catechetical ministry for more than thirty years and also holds an MA from the University of Notre Dame.

Altoona-Johnstown doing serious work on baptismal catechumenate as model for Confirmation

Children /

The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in beautiful western Pennsylvania has been doing some serious work on making the baptismal catechumenate the model of formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. I had the pleasure of joining folks in the diocese for a recent workshop where we explored how the baptismal catechumenate model is the basis for their […]

Altoona-Johnstown doing serious work on baptismal catechumenate as model for Confirmation

Two liturgies of the word and two dismissals? What’s best for child catechumens?

Children /

Monica recently asked TeamRCIA if it was appropriate for child catechumens to join their baptized peers for a children’s liturgy of the word during Sunday Mass. And, if so, then what happens when the children’s liturgy of the word has ended? Do the child catechumens “stay put” and continue to reflect upon the word? Or,

Two liturgies of the word and two dismissals? What’s best for child catechumens?

Four things I learned about RCIA with teens from “The Glee Project”

Catechesis /

My teenage daughters’ favorite television show is The Glee Project. On The Glee Project twelve teenagers and early-twenty-somethings live together for three months and learn how to be actors, actresses, singers, and dancers. But, it’s also a competition, where one person “goes home” each week and the eventual winner gets a starring role in the

Four things I learned about RCIA with teens from “The Glee Project”

Six simple ways to improve your children’s RCIA process

Catechesis, Children, Discernment /

When you think about the children’s RCIA process in your parish, are you fairly satisfied with the way it works? Or, are there aspects of children’s RCIA that are weak and need improvement? Do you wish parents were more involved? Do you wish the liturgical component was stronger? Whether you are satisfied with your children’s

Six simple ways to improve your children’s RCIA process

Why the RCIA is Dead Wrong about Celebrating Rites with Children [paragraphs 257, 260]

Children, Liturgy /

My friend and I were laughing the other day remembering how our kids loved to put on “shows.” In fact, on Erin’s daughter’s eighth birthday she received a special gift which she had specifically requested: a huge roll of red tickets – the kind you get at a school carnival or raffle. These tickets were

Why the RCIA is Dead Wrong about Celebrating Rites with Children [paragraphs 257, 260]

Four strategies guaranteed to get parents involved in their children’s RCIA process

Children /

My secret strategy for involving parents in the children’s RCIA process is fourfold.  I promise that if you follow these four steps, you will improve the level of parent involvement in children’s RCIA. 1. Talk to parents in person. The very first step is to sit down, face to face, and talk with at least

Four strategies guaranteed to get parents involved in their children’s RCIA process

Shopping cart0
There are no products in the cart!
Continue shopping
0