Twelve years ago, Diana and I were sitting in a bar in Davenport, California, enjoying a beer after a day of planning for our Team Initiation ministry. We were looking out the window as the sun was beginning to set over the Pacific Ocean when the bartender suddenly turned up the TV volume. CNN was […]
Three things we learned from Pope Francis
I am struggling with how to start this article because synodality can be hard to describe. Honestly, the word itself can be a little confusing and maybe off-putting. If we’re familiar with it at all, we tend to think of a “synod” as something reserved for bishops. And that was true for a short time
Why synodality matters for your catechumenate ministry
Have you felt a sense of renewed energy in your parish or diocese lately? Maybe the church seems a little fuller or the questions a little deeper. Something is definitely happening. There is a significant rise in adult baptisms across the globe. Is it happening in your area? Are you are witnessing this firsthand? Let’s
A wave of faith: Understanding the surge in adult baptisms
The journey through the catechumenate is a profound period of transformation, but sometimes we can make the mistake of viewing evangelization as a preliminary stage with a firm stop date. But what if evangelization wasn’t just a starting point? What if it were a continuous thread woven throughout the entire catechumenate, forming active witnesses who
Ongoing evangelization: Making missionary disciples
One of the most powerful aspects of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is its emphasis on immersing those seeking Christ into a living, active parish community (see OCIA 75.2). The rite teaches that faith is not merely a set of intellectual beliefs but a way of life that is learned through participation and
Igniting faith: The apprenticeship model in the 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
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 my last few articles, I’ve shared thoughts about what it means for individual catechists—and entire parishes—to move from comfort to mission. Pope Francis challenges us to go forth—to step outside the safe, familiar routines we’ve grown accustomed to and to risk getting “bruised” for the sake of the gospel. Now I want to ask,
Can your parish change the world? What would happen if…?
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
In a previous article, we discussed what it might mean for us as catechists to step outside our comfort zones. Now, let’s ask a more challenging question: What would happen if our parishes decided to step outside their comfort zones? Pope Francis doesn’t just want you and me to go out, to venture to the
Can our parishes truly become missionary?
