Minutes from the Team Meeting

Here are the minutes from the team meeting on July 23rd.

Attendance: Marcial Lopez, Diane Chapman, Darlene Coco, Judy Harrington, Hal Gansert, Dave Jordan, Dave Campbell

We scheduled the next three team meetings for:
August 13th
September 11th
October 9th

The time will be at 7:00 PM, in the Elizabeth Ann seton Center

There was a general agreement that the webpage is a good idea, and a good way to post material, calendars, and etc.

Dave Jordan requested the website material be printed out as he is no one internet. Dave Campbell or more likely Darlene Coco will take care of it.

Dave Campbell is going to contact Fr. Andre about what are the possibilities of baptizing Art Bale early, due to declining health, and also to let him know about our team meetings, and to let him know we are available if he wants to meet with him.

Darlene Coco was willing to sign up to help with dismissals for either the 8:30, or 10:15 Masses. Diane Chapman was willing to sign up for the 8:30. Hal can do it in an emergency, but not as a regular because he is going to join the Choir. Dave Campbell is going to contact Cheryl Silvaggio and Carol Buechner and see if they are interested in helping with dismissals, and then he will prepare a draft schedule. Darlene mentioned that she can't do it on August 10th. The plan is that if we have about 4 volunteers, then you only have to do a dismissal once a month.

For Tuesdat Nights, Dave Campbell needs help so he doesn't have to teach all of them. Team members were asked to look at the calendar and see what topics and dates they might like to teach. Hal offered to do the Our Father. Darlene was interested in Discipleship. Marcial was interested but wanted to look and see when it would work for him. Dave Campbell is going to send the calendar to Fr. Andre and Fr. Lou and Msgr. anthony and see if they are interested.

Diane gave us a general overview of upcoming activities, and once she has firm dates we will place them on the calendar.

Overall we always need more help, so team members were encouraged to look at the job descriptions on the website and if they know someone who fits or would be good in a role then mention it to them, but also contact Dave Campbell, and he'll get in touch with them. Dave is going to volunteer to coach baseball next year, and so the team needs to grow. Darlene volunteered to be Deputy Coordinator, and it was agreed. The Deputy coordinator will help with copies, phone calls, meeting minutes, scheduling and other administrivia.

Rite of Acceptance for Art Bale is set for August 10th. The bible and crucifix are all set. A catechism was given to Dave Jordan to give to Art Bale. Dave Campbell is to email Fr. Andre to see what if any preparation is needed for the Rite.

The status and progress of the Catechumens was discussed. As always this discussion was respectful, and confidential, and as it relates to the personal growth and faith of individuals it is not appropriate that it be published.

Dave Jordan mentioned that he can take people sailing during the week as an activity, but they need to know how to swim, and sign a release saying they will not sue the Navy or the US.

New Business items proposed for next time are :
Teacher Training and Dismissal Training
Lent Retreat planning
Anointing of the Catechumens scheduling

Commitments

Here are the sheets we ask people becoming Catechumens, Candidates, or those prearing for Confirmation to sign.

Again, we are seeking a balance of avoiding burdening those in the RCIA process and with making sure they are growing in the faith.

Catechumens

RCIA Rite of Acceptance Commitment

I choose to follow Christ. I accept God’s love for me. I believe that it is God’s will for me to go through the Rite of Acceptance. I understand that in doing so I am making a commitment to God. I am making a commitment to frequently pray to Him, to read His Word, and to come to Mass to worship Him and give thanks to Him every Sunday. I am making a commitment to learn about the teachings of Catholic Church. I am making a commitment to change my life for the better, to avoid sin, and to lead a Christian life. I am making a commitment to love and help others, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my enemies, and strangers. I am making a commitment to be a disciple of Christ.

In making this commitment I know that these things are impossible for me to do by myself, and I recognize that they can only be done with God’s love and help. I sincerely ask God to help me make this commitment and to keep it. I pray to God, who can make all things possible, that He accept my commitment to Him and help me walk the path He has chosen for me.

This commitment is primarily a spiritual commitment to God, but I recognize that there are some worldly aspects that go along with it.

As a visible sign of this commitment I agree to:
I will attend Mass in a Catholic Church every Sunday, and Holy Days. I will summarize on a half sheet of paper the homily of that Mass, including the Mass time, the Priest/Deacon giving the Homily, and the name of the Church if not IHM.

I will attend the Sunday Mass Dismissals as scheduled. The Homily Summary is not needed if I attend this Dismissal. If I miss the Dismissal then the Homily Summary is needed for the Mass that I do attend.

I will attend the Tuesday RCIA session starting at 7:00 PM with Mass, and ending at 9:00 PM.

In the event that I am unable to attend a Tuesday session I will read the Scripture Readings on my own, I will read the section of the Catechism pertaining to that session’s topic as given in the syllabus, and write a one page summary of what I have learned.

I will pray for at least 5 minutes everyday. (Mass counts)

I will read a portion of scripture (size does not matter) everyday. (Mass counts)

_____________________ __________________
(Name) (Date)


Candidates

RCIA Rite of Welcoming Commitment

I choose to follow Christ. I accept God’s love for me. I believe that it is God’s will for me to go through the Rite of Welcoming. I understand that in doing so I am making a commitment to God. I am making a commitment to frequently pray to Him, to read His Word, and to come to Mass to worship Him and give thanks to Him every Sunday. I am making a commitment to learn about the teachings of Catholic Church. I am making a commitment to change my life for the better, to avoid sin, and to lead a Christian life. I am making a commitment to love and help others, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my enemies, and strangers. I am making a commitment to be a disciple of Christ.

In making this commitment I know that these things are impossible for me to do by myself, and I recognize that they can only be done with God’s love and help. I sincerely ask God to help me make this commitment and to keep it. I pray to God, who can make all things possible, that He accept my commitment to Him and help me walk the path He has chosen for me.

This commitment is primarily a spiritual commitment to God, but I recognize that there are some worldly aspects that go along with it.

As a visible sign of this commitment I agree to:
I will attend Mass in a Catholic Church every Sunday, and Holy Days. I will summarize on a half sheet of paper the homily of that Mass, including the Mass time, the Priest/Deacon giving the Homily, and the name of the Church if not IHM.

I will attend the Sunday Mass Dismissals as scheduled. The Homily Summary is not needed if I attend this Dismissal. If I miss the Dismissal then the Homily Summary is needed for the Mass that I do attend.

I will attend the Tuesday RCIA session starting at 7:00 PM with Mass, and ending at 9:00 PM.

In the event that I am unable to attend a Tuesday session I will read the Scripture Readings on my own, I will read the section of the Catechism pertaining to that session’s topic as given in the syllabus, and write a one page summary of what I have learned.

I will pray for at least 5 minutes everyday. (Mass counts)

I will read a portion of scripture (size does not matter) everyday. (Mass counts)

_____________________ __________________
(Name) (Date)


Confirmandi

RCIA Adult Confirmandi

I choose to follow Christ. I accept God’s love for me. I believe that it is God’s will for me to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I understand that in doing so I am making a commitment to God. I am making a commitment to frequently pray to Him, to read His Word, and to come to Mass to worship Him and give thanks to Him every Sunday. I am making a commitment to learn about the teachings of Catholic Church. I am making a commitment to change my life for the better, to avoid sin, and to lead a Christian life. I am making a commitment to love and help others, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my enemies, and strangers. I am making a commitment to be a disciple of Christ.

In making this commitment I know that these things are impossible for me to do by myself, and I recognize that they can only be done with God’s love and help. I sincerely ask God to help me make this commitment and to keep it. I pray to God, who can make all things possible, that He accept my commitment to Him and help me walk the path He has chosen for me.

This commitment is primarily a spiritual commitment to God, but I recognize that there are some worldly aspects that go along with it.

As a visible sign of this commitment I agree to:
I will attend Mass in a Catholic Church every Sunday, and Holy Days. I will summarize on a half sheet of paper the homily of that Mass, including the Mass time, the Priest/Deacon giving the Homily, and the name of the Church if not IHM.

I will attend the Sunday Mass Dismissals as scheduled. The Homily Summary is not needed if I attend this Dismissal. If I miss the Dismissal then the Homily Summary is needed for the Mass that I do attend.

I will attend the Tuesday RCIA session starting at 7:00 PM with Mass, and ending at 9:00 PM.

In the event that I am unable to attend a Tuesday session I will read the Scripture Readings on my own, I will read the section of the Catechism pertaining to that session’s topic as given in the syllabus, and write a one page summary of what I have learned.

I will pray for at least 5 minutes everyday. (Mass counts)

I will read a portion of scripture (size does not matter) everyday. (Mass counts)

_____________________ __________________
(Name) (Date)

Inquirer, Candidate, Catechumen Responsibilities

What do I have to do when I come to RCIA?

That is the question this post will answer. The responsibilities listed below are specifically mean to avoid being burdensome, while promoting a healthy growth in life, and providing the catechists some verifiable means of gauging progress.

Inquirer

When you are first coming to RCIA you are an inquirer. This is non committal period. Nothing wagered, nothing lost but your time.

Come to the Tuesday night meeting as much as you can. If you miss a night, there is no harm. Each session is designed to stand alone. The more sessions you come to the more questions you can ask and here others ask, but if you miss any one session there is no make up work that needs to be done.

Go to Mass on Sunday as often as you can so you can experience what it is like and get to know it. Write down questions you have, and bring them with you to Tuesday night meetings.

If you have a Bible bring it with you on Tuesday nights; we put them to good use.

There is no time limit on inquiry.

Once you are ready to move on to more in depth study and preparation, a greater commitment will be asked of you.

Candidate

Candidates (those adults already Baptized preparing for full communion with Church) are responsible for faithfully attending Sunday Mass and coming to the Tuesday night meetings.

Candidates are given a calendar and a notebook.

Candidates are give a Bible. Bring it to the Tuesday night meetings.

Candidates are given a catechism, read the material for Tuesday night ahead of time and write down any questions you might have.

When you attend a Sunday Mass, write down what time you went, what the homily was about and which priest gave it. If you went to Mass at a different parish write that down too. The next time you see a RCIA Catechist, show them your notebook, and they will initial your calendar for that Sunday.

After attending a Tuesday night meeting, the Catechist will initial the calendars of everyone in attendance. If you miss a Tuesday night meeting, read the make up material assigned for that night from the syllabus. Write a page summary in your notebook. The next time you see an RCIA catechist show them your summary and they will initial your calendar.

Everyday you need to pray quietly for 5 minutes.

Everyday you need to open the Bible and read some scripture. This does not count toward your 5 minutes of prayer, but could certainly be done before or after.

Candidates at their own discretion may attend the Catechumen dismissals on Sunday. If so, get the dismissal lead to sign you calendar in lieu of a homily summary.

Catechumen

Catechumens are unbaptized adults preparing for initiation into the Church.

They have the same responsibilities as Candidates, with addition that Catechumens should attend the scheduled dismissals during Sunday Mass. The dismissal leader will initial all of the catechumens calendars after the session. If a catechumen misses a dismissal they should write a homily summary just as a candidate would do.

The Way

Here is another poem I have used in my lessons. I believe it is by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, but am not totally certain.

The Way
By Fulton Sheen

I slipped His fingers,
I escaped His feet,
I ran and hid, for Him I feared to meet.
One day I passed Him, fettered on a tree,
He turned His head, looked, and beckoned me.
Neither by speed, nor strength could He prevail.
Each hand and foot was pinioned by a nail.
He could not run and clasp me if He tried
But with His eye, he bade me reach His side.
"For pity's sake," thought I, "I'll set you free."
"Nay - hold this cross," He said, "and follow Me.
This yoke is easy, this burden light
Not hard or grievous if you wear it tight."
So did I follow Him who could not move,
An uncaught captive in the hands of love.

The Little Littany

Another poem that I have used in lesson plans is the following, it is based on the Littany of Our Lady:

A Little Litany
By G.K. Chesterton

When God turned back eternity and was young,
Ancient of Days, grown little for your mirth
(As under the low arch the land is bright)
Peered through you, Gate of Heaven--and saw the earth.

Or shutting out his shining skies awhile
Built you about him for a House of Gold
To see in pictured walls his storied world
Return upon him as a tale is told.

Or found his Mirror there;the only glass
That would not break with that unbearable light
Till in a corner of the high dark house
God looked on God, as ghosts meet in the night.

Morning Star; that unfallen star
In that strange starry overturn of space
When earth and sky changed places for an hour
And heaven looked upwards in a human face.

Or young on your strong knees and lifted up
Wisdom cried out, whose voice is in the street,
And more than twilight of twiformed cherubim
Made of his throne indeed a Mercy-Seat.

Or risen from play at your pale raiment's hem
God, grown adventurous from all time's repose,
Up your tall body climbed the Ivory Tower
And kissed upon your mouth the Mystic Rose.

Indifference

I have found that poetry can be a useful tool for lesson plans.

Here is a poem I have used in the past.

Indifference
By GA Studdert Kennedy

When Jesus came to Golgotha
They nailed Him to a tree,
They drove great nails thro' hands and feet,
And made a Calvary -
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns,
Red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days,
And human flesh was cheap.

When Jesus came to Birmingham,
They simply passed Him by -
They never touched a hair on Him,
They only let Him die,
For men had grown more tender,
And they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street,
And left Him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried "Forgive them,
For they know not what they do,"
And still it rained the winter rain,
That soaked Him through and through,
The crowd went home and left the street,
Without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall,
And cried for Calvary.

Littany of Our Lady

Here is another prayer worth sharing. This is a littany prayer, a series of chanted invocations with responses, and it goes well with our parish of Immacualte Heart of Mary. I have bolded the responses for clarity. Notice the change in petition when we pray to God, and when we ask Mary to pray for us.

Littany of Our Lady

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the word, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors, pray for us.
Queen of virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of the Church, pray for us.

Prayer by St. John Fisher

Here is a prayer from St. John Fisher that I would like to share.

Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant. Change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors – watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat – which also shall not fear the threatenings of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy holy Name. By this manner, good Lord, the truth of Thy Gospel shall be preached throughout the world. Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Thy mercy, show it indeed upon Thy Church.
-St. John Fisher

RCIA Job Descriptions

RCIA never seems to have enough volunteers to do all that needs to be done. This is sometimes because people think that you have to be an expert on catholic doctrine in order to help with RCIA. In fact nothing is further from the truth. There are many different jobs that most be done in a well functioning RCIA program, many of them have nothing to do with teaching. Here are some RCIA job and the gifts that are needed to do them well adapted from some material I received at our Diocesan RCIA specialization course. When you volunteer for RCIA we try to figure out where you will be a good fit, not where do we need help the most. If you want to help with our RCIA program and have some of these gifts please get in touch with us.

RCIA Job Descriptions

General Team Member Gifts:
· Persons of catholic faith committed to God.
· Willing to share their faith
· Willing to attend to their own spiritual needs through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments.
· Willing to submit to the same transformative process as inquirers, candidate, and catechumens.
· Pastoral sensitivity
· Listening
· Knowledge and experience with the RCIA process, or willing to go through such training.
· Participates in the celebration of the rites.
· Promotes the RCIA process in the parish.
· Ability to make consistent commitment to the ministry.

Inquiry Team Member Gifts:
Welcomes people into the RCIA process and answers initial questions. Shares their faith story with them and listens to theirs. Explores scripture with them.
· Excellent listening skills
· Warm and welcoming.
· Willing to share their faith story.
· Sufficient knowledge of scripture to lead scripture topics.
· Open to training opportunities.
· Willing to help with Inquiry in 3 month shifts.

Catechumenate Catechist Gifts:
Responsible for the formation of catechumens and candidates. Shares their faith story with them and listens to theirs. Explores scripture and Church doctrine with them.
· Exceptional listening and small group facilitation skills.
· Sufficient knowledge of Church teaching to teach Catechetical topics using the Catechism for source material.
· Sufficient knowledge of scripture to lead scripture topics.
· Open to getting a California Catechist Certification.
· Leads the formation in community, service, prayer, and doctrine.
· Willing to share their faith story.
· Willing to make a consistent weekly commitment to the ministry.

Dismissal Facilitator Gifts:
Leads a Sunday Dismissal session for half an hour; helping the catechumens and candidates explore scripture.
· Exceptional listening and small group facilitation skills.
· Sufficient knowledge of scripture to lead scripture topics.
· Willing to lead a Sunday Dismissal session once or twice a month.

Outreach/Mystagogy Coordinator Gifts:
Helps newly initiated integrate into the Parish Community, helps them get involved with ministry and small faith groups. Maintains personal contact with them and their families.
· Active member of the parish with extensive knowledge of individuals, organizations, and lay movements.
· People person, inviting, and hospitable.
· Familiar with Social Doctrine of the Church.
· Familiar with outreach needs of the entire community.
· Willing to commit to assisting in the Easter season and occasionally at other times.

Sponsor Coordinator Gifts:
Knows a lot of people in the parish and helps come up with ideas for you would be a good sponsor, or volunteer. Makes personal invitations.
· Active member of the parish with extensive knowledge of individuals, organizations, and lay movements.
· People person, inviting, and hospitable.
· Occasional effort to come up with potential names for sponsors.

Hospitality Coordinator Gifts:
Coordinates receptions after important RCIA events.
· Warm Welcoming People Person
· Creative Artistic
· Occasionally coordinates and plans social functions and receptions.

Inquiry Topic 7

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Holy Spirit
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for the coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture

The scripture passage is John 14:23-27
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What are some ways we you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your lives?
Name some teachers of truth in your lives that have influenced you? Is the Spirit working through them?
What is the pre-condition for receiving the spirit?
In another scripture verse, Christ says it is better that He go, so that the Father will send the Spirit. What does that mean to you?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

Inquiry Topic 6

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Prayer
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for the coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture

The scripture passage is Matthew 26:36-41; 1 Samuel 3: 1-10
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
Why is prayer hard?
What types of prayer do you enjoy? What are some different types of prayer?
What does prayer do for us?
In Samuel’s prayer with the Lord, who does the speaking and who does the listening? What are the implications of this in our own prayers?
Does Jesus pray a lot in the Gospels? What does that mean for us?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

Inquiry Topic 5

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Jesus
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for the coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture

The scripture passage is John 8:1-11; John 8:48-58
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
What is Jesus’ attitude toward the sinner?
Who does Jesus treat harshly?
How does Christ see himself, how does He see His mission in light of His Father?
What is the mission the Father has given the Son?
What is your relationship with Christ like? How would you describe it?
When you think of Christ, what comes to your mind?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

Inquiry Topic 4

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Sacrifice
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for the coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture

The scripture passage is Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:22; 28 and Luke 9:23
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
What is a just punishment for our sins?
In God’s mercy how is this debt justly paid? Who pays this price?
If God has already paid your debt, how should we act in response to His gift?
How does God ask us to cooperate with Him?
Is this Good News, or Bad News?
What is the difference in sacrifice when we want to and when we feel we have to?
Share the following poem (optional):






The Way
By Fulton Sheen
I slipped His fingers,I escaped His feet,I ran and hid, for Him I feared to meet.One day I passed Him, fettered on a tree,He turned His head, looked, and beckoned me.Neither by speed, nor strength could He prevail.Each hand and foot was pinioned by a nail.He could not run and clasp me if He triedBut with His eye, he bade me reach His side."For pity's sake," thought I, "I'll set you free.""Nay - hold this cross," He said, "and follow Me.This yoke is easy, this burden lightNot hard or grievous if you wear it tight."So did I follow Him who could not move,An uncaught captive in the hands of love.

Ask if there are an more questions about the scripture reading or the topic.
Ask if there are any general questions?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

Inquiry Topic 3

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Forgiveness
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for the coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture

The scripture passage is John 8:1-11
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
How does Jesus Forgive? How do we forgive?
Share your experience of forgiving or being forgiven.
Ask for volunteers to share their experience of God.
Are their other stories in the Bible of people being forgiven? Adam and Eve? Peter’s Denial? Israel?
Why is forgiveness important?
Who do we need to fogive? Whose forgiveness do we need?
How do you ask for forgiveness from someone, is God any different?
Ask if there are an more questions about the scripture reading or the topic.
Ask if there are any general questions?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

Inquiry Topic 2

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Faith
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for the coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture and Topic

The scripture passage is Matthew 14:22-32
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
What was Peter’s Faith like?
What caused him to sink?
Share your own faith in God.
Ask for volunteers to share their faith?
Are their other stories in the Bible of people doing great things because they had faith?
Where does faith come from?
Who gives us faith?
Ask if there are an more questions about the scripture reading or the topic.
Ask if there are any general questions?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

Inquiry Topic 1

RCIA Inquiry
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ramona CA

Topic: Experiencing God
Facilitator’s Guide

Opening Prayer: Use your own opening prayer or the prayer below

Psalm for that coming Sunday.

Introductions

Welcome everyone, if there is some one new have everyone go around and give their name and a brief description of who they are.
Explain the rules of listening, and the format, and what inquiry is if this is someone first session.
Ask if there are any questions or something someone wants to share before you get to the topic of the night.
Explain that they should bring their Bibles if they have one. If not don’t buy one just yet.
Give everyone a chance to share, prevent any one person from dominating especially yourself.

Scripture and Topic

The scripture passage is 1 Kings Chapter 19 Verse 9 -13 (1 Kings 19:9-13).
Have everyone look it up in their Bible.
Have someone read this passage out loud, then give everyone a few moments reflect on it.
Ask some reflection questions about the reading possibilities are:
What was Elijah’s experience of God like?
Share your own experience of God.
Ask for volunteers to share their experience of God.
Are their other stories in the Bible of people meeting and experiencing God? What are they like?
What is God like?
How does he treat us?
How do we treat Him?
Ask if there are an more questions about the scripture reading or the topic.
Ask if there are any general questions?

Gospel

Give out the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Have everyone look it up.
Have some one read it out load.
Ask some reflection question:
Who do you most identify with in this story?
What does this story mean to you when you heard just know?
What do you feel God wants people listening to this story to do?
Does this story remind you of any event sin your own life?
Share a brief reflection of your own if the conversation needs a kick start.
Ask if there any final questions.

Closing Prayer

We look to God always for strength and love even in our weaknesses and brokenness, trusting in his mercy and compassion.
Pray for some things that are close to your heart
Lord Hear Our Prayer
What else should we pray for?
Lord Hear Our Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary

July RCIA Team Meeting

The July RCIA Team meeting will take place on Wednesday July 23rd at 7:00 PM in the Elizabeth Ann Seton Center. We should be finished by 8:30 PM.

The Agenda is:

Introductions (5 min)
Schedule meetings for August and September (5 min)
Webpage (5 min)
Sponsor Guidelines (10 min)
Dismissal Signups (5 min)
Tuesday Night Topics Sign Up (5 min)
Activities (15 min)
Coordinator and Team member Roles and Responsibilities (15 min)
Rite of Acceptance for Art Bale (5 min)
RCIA and the our new Pastor (5 min)
Catechumen and Candidate Status (10 min)
New Business for next meeting (5 min)

Catechumenate Topic: Social Justice

Catechumenate Topic: Social Justice

Social Justice can only be obtained by recognizing the transcendent nature of man. Every man and woman is created in the image of God, and thus is afforded unalienable rights and respect.

The church always and everywhere stands with and identifies with the poor, the lost, the abandoned, the weak, the sick, and the abused. For we ourselves where lost and the Lord found us and healed us.

War is always the result of evil. Violence can never produce peace. However, nations have a legitimate right to self defense. In the face of unreasonable and evil violence, war may be the only way to protect life, however peace can only come from both sides recognizing the transcendent in the other.

It is society’s duty to protect people from violence. Those guilty of crimes are to be punished only as a means of reformation not as a means of vengeance. Soceity has the job of reforming the guilty not simply locking them away and forgetting about the problem, or giving them a little punishment and releasing them into the public to commit more crimes.

The world is fallen, it is broken. It will remain so until the end of time when the Lord comes again to renew all things. Until that time it is our job to expect little from the world, but to fight for what is good and true and to build up the kingdom of God.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The minimum duties of a fully initiated Catholic are outlined in the precept of the church. There are 5.

-Attend Sunday Mass, and all Holy Days of obligation
-confess sins once a year
-receive the Eucharist once in the Easter season
-observe the days of fasting and abstinence
-support the needs of the Church according to your ability

Catechumenate Topic: Life Issues

Catechumenate Topic: Life Issues


What is the 5th commandment? Why is it wrong for the strong to abuse the weak? Because Man has been created in God’s image, and therefore every man is worthy of love. Also because when the strong are tyrants over the weak all become exploited, because there is always someone stronger.

In the area of respect for life, American values are not Christian or Gospel values. So you are going to have to make a choice. Are you an American first and then a Christian, or disciple of Christ first then an American? To choose Christ first, is actually the highest form of patriotism, because to love a country and work to make it better is a deeper form of love than to love a country and ignore the things that are wrong.

The Church refuses to bend when defending life, and marriage, and the family. These teachings are minimal, in that you cannot believe contrary and still hold the Catholic Faith.

For those who find themselves confronted with sins in their past or present, the Church offers forgiveness and healing, refuses condemnation and vengeance, and offers a life lived in the light of Christ.

Death Penalty

Who knows the story of St. Paul? When he met St. Stephen what did he do? Tell the story of the death of St. Stephen and the conversion of St. Paul.

It is wrong to take the life of another, regardless of their guilt or innocence. It is the responsibility of the nation to protect the innocent from the violent. When there is no other reasonable way to protect society from an individual, then the death penalty may be legitimately used. There are times and laces where jails are not fool proof, where prison officials are cheap, and justice is for sale. In such places the death penalty may be the only way left to protect the innocent from the violent. In the United States of America, where we have maximum security prisons and the escape of highly guarded individuals is extraordinarily rare, the death penalty is not a legitimate protection of the innocent.

The last reason why the death penalty is wrong, is that the death penalty is often a form of vengeance, and the Lord is clear vengeance belongs to Him and him alone, for only He knows the depths of the human heart and can judge without error.

Euthanasia

The sick and disabled should be loved and cared for so that they may lead lives as normal as possible. It is the height of human arrogance to declare someone terminally ill, when there are so many documented cases of unexplained recoveries. Even if someone is in great pain, life should be cherished and not thrown away.

The legitimate and normal care of a person way never be denied them; however when death is immanent extraordinary measures to prolong their life do not have to be administered. Denial of food or water can never be denied a person. Giving a person a drug, or quantity of drug that will kill them is not mercy; it is murder.

Euthanasia leads to the devaluing of the old, sick, and disabled, they are no longer viewed as people to be cherished but as a burden to be thrown away.

Abortion

When is a human person created? When they can reason for themselves? At birth? 1 week before birth? The moment our technology advances far enough that the baby can survive outside the womb? When the baby’s heart beats for the first time?

A human person is created at conception. At conception that human person is endowed with the most basic of rights, the right to life, the right to not be exploited.

An embryo is not a clump of cells; an embryo has a unique set of DNA, and a soul and spirit, an embryo is nothing less than a very young baby.

Abortion is always wrong. It is never permissible. Stem cell research that destroys embryos is wrong for this reason. Fertilization techniques that destroy embryos are wrong for this reason.

Forms of contraception that prevent the implantation of the embryo in the uterine wall of the mother are called abortafacients, because they effectively cause an abortion part of the time. The pill and other forms of hormonal contraception are wrong for this reason. Statistics show that they may prevent pregnancy through the abortafacient effect as much as 1/3 of the time, not a small amount of the time.

Contraception

Contraception is not the same thing as birth control. Birth control means knowingly getting pregnant or avoiding pregnancy. Contraception means not getting pregnant even though engaging is in sexual intercourse.

If we disregard the abortafacient effect of some contraceptives, this topic falls under the sixth commandment against adultery.

There are two great effects God gave to marriage the gift of unity and the gift of children. To separate the two is to be unfaithful to the vows of marriage. To say yes to one and no to the other, makes marriage into something it is not. To say we will have all of the good feelings of being together but we are not open to children is wrong. So for this reasons artificial contraceptives and barriers are wrong. Contraception is the choice to hold something back from your spouse. The spirituality of holding back is directly opposed to the spirituality of marriage which is to give everything you are with out thought of receiving anything back. The spirituality of contraception is a major pollutant in the American marital culture, and the effects are plainly seen the breaking up of so many marriages.

It is the duty of parents to raise their children, and to care for them. For this reason responsible parenthood requires some forth thought to the planning and regulation of pregnancies. This should be done in a natural way that respects the gifts of unity and procreation. Such forms for birth regulation are known as Natural Family Planning or NFP. They can be used to avoid pregnancy or to conceive. They are scientifically proven to be as or even more effective than artificial birth control, if the directions are followed. They have no health side effects, and communication they engender between spouses lead to even stronger marriages. The decision to avoid pregnancy is a grave decision and should not be made lightly. There are legitmate reasons for avoiding pregnancy such as health issues and financial distress.

Catechumenate Topic: Discipleship

Catechumenate Topic: Discipleship

What is a disciple?

Mankind’s true vocation, what we are all called to, is to live a life of love in communion with the Trinity. To know God, to love God, and to serve God, and be happy with Him forever, this is the meaning of life.

God created man in his own image, the image of god who is love. Man is lovable because God loves man, and no other reason.

Man is the only creature on earth that God created for himself. The only create created to love as God loves.

It is the human will that can choose to love, the intellect that can explore the divine revelation and truth. This will and intellect have become damaged through sin. Through the Christ’s passion and our baptism we are given life in Christ and healed. This grace allows us to use our will and intellect as God first intended them.

Called to love, how ought we behave? God gives us the answer in the beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad,for your reward is great in heaven.

The result of living in this manner, is joy.

Man is free to follow God, and no man can place in slavery to sin, only you can place yourself in slavery to sin.

This freedom does not necessarily translate to rights. Just because Christ has freed us from sin, does not mean we have the right to say or do whatever we want.

Basic morality. Good intentions do not make a bad act good, however bad intentions do make a good act bad. Circumstance cannot make an act good or bad, but they may lessen our responsibility.

One may not do evil so that good may come of it. Even a good act done for bad reasons is wrong.

Emotions should not govern reason and the will. Emotions are not good or bad, because they are allowed to exist or even commanded to exist.

Virtues are good behaviors that the will orders our actions towards.

The Intellectual Virtues are:
Art
Prudence

The Moral Virtues are:
Justice
Temperance
Fortitude

The Theological Virtues are:
Faith
Hope
Charity or Love

Christ came with a mission to build the kingdom of God here on earth. We are baptized into His mission. Our missionary actions are indispensable components of being a Christian. You cannot be a Christian and not work to build the kingdom, through caring for others, proclaiming the gospel, working for justice and an end to evil acts. This work however is secondary, not primary. Our primary responsibility is to love God, and then to serve our neighbor. First Christ tell his disciples “Come, Follow Me”, then later once they are converted and have received the spirit “Go, and make disciples of all nations.”

Catechumenate Topic: Holy Orders

Catechumenate Topic: Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate (Bishop), presbyterate (priest), and diaconate (deacon).

The sacrament is given by the laying on of hands and the gift of the Holy Spirit given by a Bishop.

John 20: 19-23; Matthew 16:13-20

In the Old Testament one of the Twelve tribes of Israel was set aside by God to offer sacrifice for the atonement of sins, to offer thanks giving, to proclaim the word of God, and to the lead the people of God in liturgical celebration. The Tribe of Levi was chosen because they did not worship the golden calf when Moses was on the mountain, while the other tribes did.

Everything that the priesthood of the Old Covenant prefigured finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, the "one mediator between God and men."15

The Christian tradition considers Melchizedek, "priest of God Most High," as a prefiguration of the priesthood of Christ, the unique "high priest after the order of Melchizedek";16 "holy, blameless, unstained,"17 "by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified,"18 that is, by the unique sacrifice of the cross. Melchizedek also offered a sacrifice of Bread and Wine.

Christ is our Priest. There are two words in Greek for Priest.

Iereas is the word that is used for the Priests of the Old Testament, and other religions. Iereas is a priest who offers up a sacrifice of another as vicarious victim, an example of this is the lamb offered at the Passover meal, or in pagan religions they would offer up children to the demon gods. It costs the priest nothing to offer up this type of sacrifice. Christ is this type of Priest, but he did something that had never been done before, he offered up an innocent victim for the forgiveness of sins, but He was the victim. For the first time, the offerer of the sacrifice was both Priest and Victim.

The second word is Presbyter which means elder. This is the word used to describe the priest of Christ. They have no priesthood of their own; they are consecrated to Christ’s own priesthood, sharers in his mission, stewards and servants of His house. As Christ is both Priest and Victim, so Christian Priests configured to Him are both Priests and Victims, for the forgiveness of the sins of the world. This is what it means when a priest acts ‘in persona Christ Capitis’, the priest is not operating on his own, Christ is operating through him.

A Bishop receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. They are called to serve the role of Apostle for the local Church entrusted to them. This Apostolic Succession goes back unbroken to the 11 Apostles Christ himself commissioned. They are given a special grace to guide, teach and shepherd the people of God. Bishops are stewards of Christ mission. A bishop’s call is to proclaim the truth.

To accomplish this mission, a Bishop consecrates priests in his diocese to help him in his task. They are priests of the New Testament, priests of Christ, but they rely on the permission of the Bishop to conduct their duties. A priest’s call is for the forgiveness of sins, and giving of the sacraments of the Church.

The lowest form of the sacrament is the Deacon; the deacon is not consecrated into the priesthood of Christ, but into the ministry of Christ. As Christ was a servant to all, so is the deacon. The deacon’s call is to serve.

One controversy today is Roman Rite Catholic Priests are not allowed to be married. The tradition of the Church has always held since St. Paul was writing the New Testament letters, that it is better for a priest not to be married so that he can focus on his ministry to the people of God. Another tradition was that if a man was already married he could be ordained to the priesthood, but the decision was up to the bishop. That is why in some Eastern Catholic Rites there are priests who are married. The Patriarchs of those Rites have decided to accept those men. St. Peter himself was married. The Patriarch of the Roman Rite, the Pope, many hundreds of years ago decided to not accept married men into the priesthood, and no Pope has changed that. It is something that can be changed, but likely will not be. Deacons in fact can be married, but after they are ordained, they even if their wife dies can never marry again. This is an example of what is called a practice of the Church. A practice is the ways, and rules the Church operates under. Practices can be changed according to the times.

Another great controversy today is the ordination of women to the Priesthood.

Only men can receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. The reason for this is that Christ was a man in his Humanity. God is neither man nor woman, but Christ’s humanity was man. As such He is the bridegroom. Christ calls forth the Church, His Bride, and makes the Church fruitful that it gives life to the world. Forgetting what is carnal, understand this example. In the Eucharist the Church receives Christ the Bridegroom into herself, the result of this received grace is that we are transformed, evil is defeated, goodness is born into our lives. The priest operates in the ministry of the Christ, the ministry of the Bridegroom, and for this reason men are chosen by God. It is not an issue of superiority, but a matter of function. It is neither better to give or to receive, but only that we cooperate with the role that God has called us to live. Only men may be Father’s and Husbands, and only Women may be Mother’s and Wives. Marriage is only valid between a man and a woman. For this reason only men may be priests, and only women may be nuns. As a consecrated nun a woman is consecrated as a bride of Christ, a representative of the Church. This is a dogma of the Church. A dogma is a teaching held to be true by the Church, and cannot be changed. Truth can change.

So only a man consecrated to Christ in the priesthood may say the words of consecration, “this is my body”, “this is my blood.” This is a great compliment to men.

Another great compliment was given to women. When Christ was taken down and his body was laid in the arms of Mary, Mother of Priests, she was able to say those words in way that no priest ever can, “this is my body”, “this is my blood.”

Catechumenate Topic: Marriage

Catechumenate Topic: Marriage

Marriage is a covenant whereby a man and woman give themselves to the other in partnership for their whole life, it is ordered to the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of children. Christ has raised this act to the dignity of a sacrament. Marriage is a covenant not a contract.

It is not good for Man to be alone. So God created them both male and female, by our very nature we are inclined to marriage. God is the author of marriage. Scripture begins with the creation on Man and Woman in marriage, and ends with the wedding feast of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Because of sin we are unable to achieve the degree of unity desired for us in our marriages. Special grace is needed to heal us and make us capable of that type of unity and love and that is why Christ made marriage a sacrament.

Christ teaches that Moses’ concession to divorce was due to man’s hardness of heart, but it was not so in the beginning. What God places together should not be separated.

The faithful marriage is an image of the union of Christ’s faithfulness to the Church. The call to marriage is given by Christ.

It is appropriate to receive the sacrament of reconciliation prior to receiving the sacrament of marriage.

Both parties must consent to the marriage for it to be a sacrament. This means that both parties must understand what they are giving consent to, are not under constraint, and are not impeded by natural or ecclesiastical law. Both must have free will, and be free of fear.

Only one party needs to be Catholic, but both must agree to be open to children, and to raise them in the Catholic Faith. To open to children means to not oppose the conception of children except for grave reasons.

The union of marriage is sealed by God, and as such is indissoluble and the two become one. As such they must remain faithful to this union.Marriage has two great benefits. The first is the unity that is created between two people. A deep bridging love that is alight in this dark world. The second is the gift of children which is a gift to the parents and also a gift to the whole world.

A family is the smallest unit of the Church and of society, and as such must be respected and promoted and defended and encouraged in virtue.

A sacramental marriage cannot be undone, a divorce is not possible. If the sacrament was not valid, if the consent was not full, or the will impaired, the Church can declare the marriage was never valid to begin with. This is called an annulment.

Catechumenate Topic: Anointing of the Sick

Catechumenate Topic: Anointing of the Sick

James 5:14-16

This sacrament is for the spiritual strengthening of those who face illness. The anointing signifies a special out pouring of the Holy Spirit.

The anointing is done by a priest, and result in the forgiveness of venial sins, a increase in hope and strength to face the difficulty and suffering that illness brings. The sacrament ties a person close to Christ especially in that their suffering is united with Christ’s suffering on the Cross.

The sacrament also prepares one for their final journey if that is the will of the God. Viaticum, food for the journey, final Eucharist, sometimes given with the sacrament as what is known as Last Rites before someone dies.

Anyone who is sick, suffers from a long term disease, or is facing surgery should request the sacrament, it is not just for those dieing, but indeed for the living but burdened with illness.

Catechumenate Topic: Reconciliation

Catechumenant Topic: Reconciliation

What is the basis of this sacrament in the Bible? John 20:21-23.

The Sacrament of Baptism is the sacrament of first conversion. However conversion does not end there, we often fall and fail of the promises we make. In every life there is a need for an ongoing conversion, a second conversion. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the sacrament of the second conversion. It restores us into the life of grace and communion with God and our Christian brothers and sisters, the Church.

Reconciliation, or confession, is required for those who have committed a serious or mortal sin, and is highly advised for all sins as it helps develop and strengthen our conscious.

Reconciliation consists of three aspects, contrition, confession, and satisfaction.

There are two types of contrition, perfect and imperfect. Perfect contrition is where you are sorry for your sin because you love God above ALL else. This type of contrition is a grace and gift of God. Perfect contrition alone is enough to forgive sin. Imperfect contrition is also a gift from God; it is where we are sorry for our sin also because of the fear of consequences and punishment. Imperfect contrition drives us to seek out the sacrament of reconciliation. Imperfect contrition needs confession and satisfaction for the forgiveness of sins.

Confession is done to a priest, who serves in Christ’s Priesthood. The forgiveness offered by the Priest is done on the behalf of Christ, but also on the behalf of the community of believers who are also injured as a result of sin. The seal of the confessional is one of the most sacred duties of the priest. The priest will never tell anyone, nor will the priest bring the issue up with you unless you explicitly request and even remind the priest what was said. Priests are given special training and grace by God to forgive and not to judge.

Satisfaction aims at repairing the harm caused by a sin, and are assigned by the priest and must be completed by the penitent. They are assigned not as punishment but as an aid to undo the damage wrecked by the sin.

Indulgence is a method of undoing the temporal harm caused by a sin that has been already forgiven. There are many ways of gaining indulgences, through pray and act of piety and charity. Through the communion of saints indulgence can aid those who are in need not just those who are performing the acts.

Catholics are required to go to confession once a year.

Mortal sins are defined as done with free will, full knowledge, and serious matter. Venial sins are when any of those three criteria are lacking. We are never to judge another’s sins, but we may help educate them in a charitable and loving fashion.

The other types of sin are personal and social. Personal sins are committed by us as individuals, social sins are committed by us as groups or organizations, or organizations we support. There are also sins of commission, and sins of omission. Bad things we do, and the good things we have failed to do. Commission are confessed more, but omission are committed, and require a good examination of conscience to uncover. There is no such thing as a private sin, or a sin that only hurts you, all sins hurt someone else.

Catechumenate Topic: Eucharist

Catechumenate Topic: Eucharist

Read Luke 22: 14-20

Assign John 6 as homework

The Eucharist is extraordinarily Biblical, we believe the Lord’s words on the matter.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christianity. In it is contained the essence of our beliefs, and all our beliefs point towards, in it is Christ himself.

The Eucharist comes out of the Jewish Passover feast. Christ takes it and perfects it, and it points to our final Passover our crossing over to the Father. The bread and wine of the Passover is a thanksgiving, the sacrifice of the Lamb is atonement for sin through the vicarious death of another. Eucharist means thanksgiving.

Some names for the sacrament are: Eucharist, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Body and Blood, the True Presence

The sacrament requires a validly ordained Bishop or Priest, and unleavened wheat bread and grape wine. The Bread and the Wine truly become the living Body and Blood of the Lord. They contain his body, blood, soul, and divinity. Christ himself is the High Priest who offers up the sacrifice, and continues it at every Mass. The words of consecration are not the priest’s, they are Christ’s. The Eucharist is timeless, in that it is the same sacrifice of the Lord’s Supper, and the Cross, and the Resurrection as happened 2000 years ago. We are not re-sacrificing Christ, Christ is re-presenting His sacrifice, renewing it, perpetuating it. It is a memorial.

When baptized you live in the life of Christ, when you receive the Eucharist he lives in you. In baptism you are called to a life which you cannot of your own power live, with the Eucharist you life is transformed into the life you are called to live in Baptism.

The spiritual presence of the Christ in the Eucharist is beyond the senses, but is indeed there. This is made possible by the power of Christ’s words and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Anyone who receives the sacrament should be in a state of Grace, if conscious of a serious sin they should go to Reconciliation first. The reception of the Eucharist is the Highest act of Christian worship in the world, and thus completes Christian initiation.

The fruits of the Eucharist are:

Union with Christ, we are what we eat.

The unity and formation of the Church is derived for the Eucharist, as we all share in the one body, the one bread, we come one body. We are what we eat.

Separation from sin, and cleansing of venial sin.

Strengthens spiritual virtues and goodness.

Commitment to the Poor.

And also…..

The senses have no power over the Eucharist, they cannot penetrate the mystery, but the Eucharist is good for the senses.

Improved sight so that you may see others and Christ sees them.

Improved touch so that you may know better how to love others.

Improved hearing so that you may hear God’s words in your heart.

Improved taste so that your desires are properly ordered to what is good and just.

Improved smell that you may recognize God’s Glory in the world and give him praise and thanksgiving.

Catechumenate Topic: Confirmation

Catechumenate Topic: Confirmation

The Old Testament foretold the coming of God’s anointed one, who will be anointed with spirit of God. This is the messiah, the Christ. Jesus is anointed with Spirit after His Baptism.

The Holy Spirit is not just for Christ but he sends it to all of his people. At Pentecost the first Christians are anointed with the Holy Spirit.

For the Apostles, Christian initiation meant being Baptized in the name of Trinity, and then being prayed over with the laying on of hands. The laying on the hands was the giving of the Holy Spirit. Later an anointing with oil was added to further symbolize the anointing received with the laying on of hands. Baptism and Confirmation constituted and two fold dual sacrament. It was traditionally performed by the Bishop. In the West (Roam Rite) the demands of large dioceses let to the separation of the two, with the Bishop performing Confirmation. The East, and in the West for adult converts, the two are still given together.

Anointing cleanses, and strengthens us. It is also a symbol of abundance and joy. It seals and protects, and heals. So being anointed with the Holy Spirit does also these things, but in a spiritual manner.

The anointing is done with the Sacred Chrism which is blessed by the Bishop of the diocese every Holy Thursday.

The effects of the Confirmation are:
We are more rooted and grounded as a child of God, and more able to turn to him as loving father.
We are more deeply united with Christ, the Anointed One.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are perfected in us and made more abundant in our lives.
Our bond with the Church is made more perfect.
We are given special strength to be a witness to the Christian faith, and to give witness to the Cross, and never be ashamed of it.

Confirmation is given only once, the work of confirmation is accomplished not by us, but by God. Every baptized Christian who has not yet received confirmation should receive it. It requires a mature faith, but remembers that mature faith does not require a mature age. One must be in a state of grace, and should receive the sacrament of reconciliation beforehand if of the age of reason.

The gifts of the spirit are:
Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Counsel
Fortitude
Piety
Fear of Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit are:
Charity
Joy
Peace
Goodness
Generosity
Gentleness
Faithfulness


Fruits and what happen when we cooperate with the gifts and virtues the holy spirit is giving us in our life.

Virtues and habits of grace filled behavior.

The Intellectual Virtues are:
Art
Prudence

The Moral Virtues are:
Justice
Temperance
Fortitude

The Theological Virtues are:
Faith
Hope
Charity or Love

Catechumenate Topic: Baptism

Catechumenate Topic: Baptism

What is a sacrament? A visible sign conferred by Christ of the invisible gift of Grace. What is grace? Grace is a supernatural spiritual gift of God to accomplish our everlasting salvation. Grace is an expression of God’s love an power given into our lives. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders.

Baptism is the washing away of all sin, and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

John was practicing a baptism of repentance when Jesus came. Jesus did not need to be baptized but asked that he be, “so that all righteousness may be fulfilled”. Christ identified himself with the sinners, even though He was not one. Then Holy Spirit descended on Him. Christ tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and of spirit. Later Christ instructed His followers to “go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” This points to the necessity of being baptized in order to be incorporated into the life of Christ. Baptism is the sacrament of Faith.

Baptism is one of three sacraments of initiation, the others confirmation, and Eucharist. It is the first sacrament received. It’s essential rite includes the sprinkling of water, and the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and holy Spirit.”

Who can be baptized? Catechumens, who are already members of the Church, after the Catechumenate which brings their faith to maturity. Infants, whose parents, desire them to be joined to Christ and are willing to raise them up in the practice of the Catholic Faith. The ordinary ministers of the sacrament are Bishops, priests, and deacons.

The Lord himself declares the necessity of Baptism, and has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but He is not bound by his sacraments.

The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.

For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.

As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

The effects of Baptism are as follows: the forgiveness of all sins, original and personal. Though the effects of sin remain. The person becomes a new creature in Christ, the life was natural and is no supernatural, as sanctifying grace is bestowed. The incorporation into the Church, the body of Christ, and is a supernatural sign of unity among Christians. An indelible spiritual mark, as a person who is configured to Christ, indeed at Baptism a person dies and lives again in Christ’s life.

What are prefigurements of Baptism in the Old Testament: Noah and the Ark, the parting of the Red Sea, the crossing of the Jordan.

Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Catechumenate Topic: Mary and the Saints

Catechumenate Topic: Mary and the Saints


In the Creed we say we believe in the communion of Saints. What does this term Saint mean? A saint is a person who has been sanctified by Christ. All the faithful are then Saints. A canonized saint is someone the Church recognizes as having lived a life of heroic virtue and now enjoys eternity with God.

The church is a community of faithful believers sanctified by Christ, it is a communion of saints, all participating in the life of Christ.

The Church has only three demographics; pilgrims journeying toward our final destiny, the dead who are being purified in purgatory, and the blessed in heaven. These are referred to as the Church Pilgrim or Militant, the Church Suffering, and Church Triumphant. 2 Mac 12:45

As a community of believers it is our duty to care for each other, especially through prayer, and to support each other. So we pray for one another but also the Church Suffering. The Church Triumphant never ceases to pray for us, and this is why we ask Saints to pray for us.

Mary is the first among all Saints, indeed she is the first Christian. By her ‘yes’ or ‘fiat’ Christ was made present to humanity. Does not our yes do the same in a smaller way?

In anticipation of merits of Christ, Mary was preserved of the stain of Original sin so that she might be a suitable vessel for the incarnation of the Lord. She still had free will but through her life remained sinless. The conception of Mary without the stain of original sin is known as the Immaculate Conception.

Because of her vow of celibacy Mary was Virgin, and remained so her entire life. At the end of her days, she was assumed into Heaven as a sign of the heavenly destiny all Christians share.

As the Mother of the King, Mary is the Queen of Heaven. As the Mother of Christ, Mary is also the Heavenly Mother of all Christians who are Christ’s body. As mother she continues to look after her children with the love and care that is beyond expectations.

Catechumate Topic: Mary and the Saints

Catechumenate Topic: Mary and the Saints


In the Creed we say we believe in the communion of Saints. What does this term Saint mean? A saint is a person who has been sanctified by Christ. All the faithful are then Saints. A canonized saint is someone the Church recognizes as having lived a life of heroic virtue and now enjoys eternity with God.

The church is a community of faithful believers sanctified by Christ, it is a communion of saints, all participating in the life of Christ.

The Church has only three demographics; pilgrims journeying toward our final destiny, the dead who are being purified in purgatory, and the blessed in heaven. These are referred to as the Church Pilgrim or Militant, the Church Suffering, and Church Triumphant. 2 Mac 12:45

As a community of believers it is our duty to care for each other, especially through prayer, and to support each other. So we pray for one another but also the Church Suffering. The Church Triumphant never ceases to pray for us, and this is why we ask Saints to pray for us.

Mary is the first among all Saints, indeed she is the first Christian. By her ‘yes’ or ‘fiat’ Christ was made present to humanity. Does not our yes do the same in a smaller way?

In anticipation of merits of Christ, Mary was preserved of the stain of Original sin so that she might be a suitable vessel for the incarnation of the Lord. She still had free will but through her life remained sinless. The conception of Mary without the stain of original sin is known as the Immaculate Conception.

Because of her vow of celibacy Mary was Virgin, and remained so her entire life. At the end of her days, she was assumed into Heaven as a sign of the heavenly destiny all Christians share.

As the Mother of the King, Mary is the Queen of Heaven. As the Mother of Christ, Mary is also the Heavenly Mother of all Christians who are Christ’s body. As mother she continues to look after her children with the love and care that is beyond expectations.

Catechumenate Topic: Creed

Catechumenate Topic: Nicene Creed

We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.


History of the Creed: The Nicene Creed was approved and the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. It predates the Canon of the Bible in this way. It was approved as a formula of the authentic Christian Faith.

“We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.” What does the word believe mean? It means more than agree, it also means to live by. We talked about God the Father a few weeks ago. Here the Creed reaffirms God created everything from nothing.

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end.” Christ appeared in a particular place, at a particular time, his Mother was a Virgin and he was conceived by the Holy Spirit ( so He is both Human and Divine) he suffered under a man named Pontius Pilate. He was resurrected, ascended and will come again.

“And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets.” The Holy Spirit is the sustainer and giver of our life, and the inspirer or all good things, and especially of the Prophets and the scriptures.

‘And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.” The Church is one. There is only one Messiah, one god, one Baptism one Church. There is only one body of Christ. The Church is Holy, because it is mystically the Body of Christ in the world. The Holy Spirit make it Holy, keeps it Holy, and calls us to Holiness. As individuals we are sinners. This marks the humanity and divinity of the Church, and our destiny of perfection in Heaven. The Church is Catholic. The Church is universal. The Church welcomes all individuals, is composed of all nationalities, and peoples, and is the historical Church. The Church is Apostolic. The Church is the Church built by the Apostles, continued in the line of their successors, and the church is on a mission. Apostle means sent. Christ does not have a mission for His Church, He has a Church for His Mission.

‘We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.” The forgiveness of sins through baptism is a primary belief of Christianity. We do believe in judgment, we believe in forgiveness. We will have a personal judgment, then purification, then Heaven, or Hell. At the end of time all will be raised, some to the Resurrection of Life others to the Resurrection of Judgment. Then the universe will be renewed, and God will dwell among man for all eternity.

Catechumenate Topic: God the Holy Spirit

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Trinity is a mystery, in that there exists one God, but in God three distinct aspects or personages.

The Holy Spirit is the active part of God, an example is God’s breath in Genesis and the creation of the world. Other actions of the Holy Spirit are:
-The Inspiration of Holy Scripture
-The preservation and development of the Tradition of the Church
-Guiding the teaching authority of the Church
-The actions of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of the Church
-intercession in our prayers
-in giving charisms and gifts to believers for the building up of the Church
-in inspiring the apostolic and missionary life
-the lives of the saints as signs of salvation and holiness

Symbols of the Holy Spirit:

Water in baptism, the rebirth to new life.

Anointing: Jesus “God’s Anointed” is anointed not with oil, but with the Spirit. They share the same mission

Fire: The transforming power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

Cloud and Light: Both Luminous and Obscure the Holy Spirit gives light to the people of God and obscures its glory at the same time. An example is the Theophanies of the Old Testament, Pillar of Fire and Column of Smoke.

As a result of Christ’s Ascension He sends the Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost. The Apostles are transformed. They now fully comprehend what Christ had been teaching them; no longer afraid they go out into to the world to spread the Good News to all nations.

The Holy Spirit has never ceased animating the Church since that day. The Holy Spirit is the source of the Church’s Authority, its Holiness, its Unity, its Mission and Apostolic zeal, and its ability to be composed of peoples. Everything that is good in the Church comes from the Holy Spirit. Where does the bad come from? Us, ofcourse.

Catechumenate Topic: God the Son

God the Son

Jesus the Son of God is begotten by God the Father. The meaning of begotten is to receive and be everything the father is.

So that Mankind might be redeemed and receive adoption as Sons and Daughters of God, the Father sent his only Son.(3)

Jesus is from Joshua. Joshua is the one who led Israel into the promised land. Jesus means “God saves”. Christ means messiah or “God’s Anointed”. Lord is the title given to the one true God. Son of David is reference to the true King of Israel, not the Herodians.

The Word of God was made flesh. Christ emptied himself of His divine glory and became man, God incarnated into human flesh. He did not cease being God, but voluntarily placed himself under the restrictions of a human existence. This is called the incarnation, and is mystery in that Jesus was both fully God and fully human. The incarnation is called God’s greatest condescension. (4)

Jesus is the New Adam, man as he should have been. Through his temptations, trials, passion, death, and resurrection he reunites mankind with God. His sacrifice on the cross redeems all of mankind. (1) (2)

He appears again to the disciples, with His body, and with the wounds of His passion. He ascends into heaven taking His body. This is the greatest compliment ever paid to humanity. That God would identify himself with his humanity that he would return to heaven with it.

Christ promises to be with His Church through all time, and is still in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The incarnation is a living mystery as today God is still made manifest in the humanity of Christians everywhere.

Bible stories that help in explaining Christ:
1.Abraham and Isaac
2.The Seraph Serpent in the Desert
3.The Parable of the Master and the Son
4.The Confession of Peter