I once overheard a pastoral minister say that she was working with a family who wanted to have their child baptized. The child was six-and-a-half years old. “We got her in just under the wire,” the pastoral worker said — meaning the child was under seven years old and therefore baptized as an infant. She […]
Pastoral principles for children in the RCIA
While I don’t have children, I take seriously the way that Jesus related with children in the gospels. Jesus, who also didn’t have children, was a model to his followers about how to lead children to a life of discipleship. Jesus welcomed children Most of us know the story found in Mark 10 in which
RCIA with children—five examples from Jesus
Most RCIA team members know that, for the purposes of the rite, an “adult” is anyone who has reached catechetical age.* That means that if an unbaptized child who has reached catechetical age wishes to be baptized, he or she is also confirmed and receives first communion at the moment of baptism. It also means
Misunderstandings about the age of confirmation
We have to wonder why this is even a question. The teaching of the church is crystal clear: In order to signify clearly the interrelation or coalescence of the three sacraments, which are required for full Christian initiation (canon 842.2), adult candidates, including children of catechetical age, are to receive baptism, confirmation and eucharist in
Can we delay confirmation of child catechumens in the RCIA?
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
Nearly sixty initiation ministers from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and the Diocese of Belleville, along with some folks from St. Louis, gathered August 2-3, 2013 for a workshop on children’s RCIA. The workshop, entitled Wading Deeper, is an annual event for RCIA ministers in the two Illinois dioceses and did we ever get
Children’s RCIA a hot topic in Springfield and Belleville
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?
I follow Team RCIA on Twitter, and the other day I saw an interesting tweet entitled “10 key ideas for celebrating the Triduum.” It got me thinking about various tips I could share on celebrating the Triduum with children in the RCIA. So, here are four quick real-life tips. 1. Call and confirm Even though
Four quick real-life tips for celebrating the Triduum with children
I remember watching Joan talk with a group of middle schoolers who were just beginning the RCIA process. All the kids seemed to be smiling and engaged. Afterwards, I said to her, “You are a master!” She very casually replied, “Nah. I just love kids and I love Jesus.” This simple encounter got me thinking
Six skills every children’s RCIA catechist must have
There are two main reasons your pastor isn’t more involved in children’s RCIA. #1 – He is busy. Not that he is any busier than you are, but he is busy pastoring the parish. And, yes, RCIA is one of his many responsibilities as pastor. Paragraph 13 of the ritual text, clearly outlines the priest’s
Why your pastor isn’t involved in children’s RCIA and five things you can do about it
