I’ve been smiling at the recent buzz about the “new rules” the bishops have issued for the catechumenate. The retranslation of the initiation rites, now called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, has inspired many people to dive deep into the rite — perhaps for the first time. And that’s great! People are discovering […]
How to read a rite: Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Who do you need on your team for catechumenate ministry? That’s what we’re going to discuss in week two of the speaker series, “Building Blocks of the Catechumenate.” While the Order (Rite) of Christian Initiation of Adults itself never uses the word “team,” anyone who has ever worked in this ministry knows it’s impossible to
It takes a parish: Assembling your catechumenate dream team
Did you know the United States has national guidelines for the catechumenate? In the current translation, they are in an appendix at the back of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In the new translation, they will be right up front and much easier to find. The current statutes have been in effect since
Deeper look into the new National Statutes for catechumenate teams
As we get ready for the new translation of the initiation rites, I want to look at one major change we will need to implement However, this change isn’t new. It is already embedded in the current translation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. We may start using the new translation of the
The biggest change in the initiation rites
After more than two years of talking about it, we are on the cusp of receiving the new translation of the initiation rites. You can order it now, and it will ship on November 1, 2024. To get us ready, Team Initiation is hosting an amazing four-week speaker series called “Building Blocks of the Catechumenate.”
Building blocks of the catechumenate: Preparing for the new translation
It won’t come as a surprise to you that the number of Catholic parishes in the United States is declining. Some parishes have simply been closed, but many of them have been merged into a single, new parish. Merging parishes can be challenging, but it also offers an opportunity for growth and deeper unity. When
Uniting the catechumenate in merged parishes
In a previous article, we explored how each of us, as catechists, is called to move beyond our comfort zones and embrace the audacity of faith in our personal lives. Pope Francis has challenged us to be bold, to risk being “bruised” for the sake of the gospel rather than remaining “ill” within the confines
From maintenance to mission: Revitalizing our parishes for the future
Is this your first year in catechumenate ministry? Or are you a long-time veteran that is beginning to feel a little burned out? Serving as a leader within your parish’s catechumenate process can feel like an incredibly daunting responsibility. Accompanying seekers on their journey of faith can be taxing. While this is a spiritually fulfilling
Rethinking “success” in catechumenate ministry
I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been there too—discouraged, overwhelmed, burnt out. You pour your heart into this ministry, work countless extra hours trying to get everything done, and still feel like you’re drowning. The responsibilities seem endless, new challenges arise daily, and despite your best efforts, things still slip through the cracks. You
Feeling overwhelmed as a catechumenate leader? Empower the assembly as your team
In a previous article, I wrote about using prayer to discern God’s will. In this article, I want to look at morning prayer as a powerful way to pray. In an ideal world, every Christian would begin the day with prayer. Of course, that doesn’t always happen. Nevertheless, as catechumenate leaders, we have a particular
Embrace the power of morning prayer—for the sake of your seekers
