RESOURCE PAGE Skills for Mystagogues How to Accompany Seekers into the Divine Mystery Help seekers experience the fullness of God’s love and grace as they prepare for initiation or reception into full communion. RESOURCES FOR YOUR COMMUNITY Articles E-book Training Webinars ARTICLES Walking with others on the journey of faith “I LOVE what you said […]
Develop active listening as a central catechetical skill. Silence is awkward. Remember the last time you met someone new? After you exchanged names, your new friend asked, “What do you do?” You replied, “I’m a catechist.” Looooong silence. Awkward. When we’re meeting with inquirers or catechumens, we try to avoid awkwardness. We don’t want to
Five reasons to stop talking to catechumens
The goal of the first meeting with your inquirer is to learn as much as you can about his or her spiritual background. However it is important to share something about yourself as well. What you share with the inquirer should discuss both your own story of faith and the story of faith of your
This lesson will summarize three main themes in attempting to begin the process of getting to know those inquiring about the faith. It will explore the idea of a 70-30 sharing ratio, the value and importance of silence, and explain how to be an active listener. The 70/30 rule This first meeting with the inquirer
Implementing Question 1: Where Have You Been?
When we set out to form inquirers, catechumens, and candidates in faith, we too often ask the wrong question. Our initial (and sometimes only) question focuses on input: “What should I teach?” That is usually the wrong question. Instead, we should ask questions that focus on behavior or outcome. What change would you like to
The Value of Asking the Right Question
A path to becoming a master evangelist Your way to more confidence, deeper engagement, and less stress continues here Step 2.1 Heal the Wounds ALL ACCESS: Training article: The nine most important steps for making disciples MEMBER ACCESS: Video Marathon segment: Episode 5: The three levels of evangelization Video Marathon segment: Episode 6: Five essential
Q. How do I get buy-in for my RCIA vision from the parish leadership and faith community? A. This question is at the heart of being human and being in relationship. Differences among us are baked into our DNA. The challenge is, in spite of all our differences, how do we join together to proclaim
Q&A: Eight ways to get RCIA buy-in from everyone in the parish—including the pastor
1. Storytelling Jesus taught through stories, and so should we. Storytelling conveys information on multiple level, and is a powerful tool for influencing behavior. If you want to teach the seekers how to be disciples, teach them using the techniques of the Master. For more guidance on using storytelling in your catechesis, click here. 2.
Six skills every RCIA catechist must have
If you have been reading the training articles on TeamRCIA for very long, you know that the RCIA is the model for all catechesis. But does the rest of the parish know? Who needs to know this stuff? You might consider “evangelizing” other catechetical teams in your parish to begin using the six principles of
Discover a simple way to help the whole parish catechize the RCIA way
Sometimes I fantasize about being the RCIA Czar. I don’t really want to be a czar. I just wish parishes could get closer to the vision of what the Second Vatican Council had in mind when it called for the restoration of the catechumenate. Now you might be wondering how I know what the Council
Six things that are probably wrong with your RCIA — and how to fix them
