Catechumenate Topic: Divine Revelation
“By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of his works. But there is another order of knowledge, which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers: the order of divine Revelation.1 Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man.” -CCC
Have someone read John 1:1-5,10-11,14
“In giving us his Son, his only Word (for he possesses no other), he spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word – and he has no more to say ... because what he spoke before to the prophets in parts, he has now spoken all at once by giving us the All Who is His Son. Any person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending him, by not fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty.” –St. John of the Cross
God has been revealing himself in gradual stages through the centuries to His chosen people Israel. The completion, perfection, and totality of this revelation is the communication of God’s own self in his own son, Jesus Christ, the Word Made Flesh. In Christ all of Divine Revelation is communicated at once. Nothing can ever be added to this revelation, as it is already complete, perfect, and total.
The Apostles are given the task of handing the revelation on to the whole world so that all may come to know God and be His people. Left with this task the Apostles used oral words and written word to pass on the Word.
Along with the Old Testament some of the written words of the apostles were codified into the Canon (List) of scriptures or the Bible toward the end of the fourth century. Pope Damasus called the Synod of Rome to address the Canon in 382, the African Churches took up the topic at their Synods of Hippo and Carthage in 393, 397, and 419. Pope Innocent I in 405 sent the Canon of books to one of his bishops when asked what books should be regarded as scripture. Included in this canon are seven Old Testament books that are now excluded from protestant Bibles; they are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, I and II Maccabees, and portions of Esther and Daniel. In response to the exclusion of these books by some Christian communities, the Church explicitly defined the Canon in 1546 and the Council of Trent.
When reading Scripture we should be aware of four different layers of meanings, or senses of scripture. They are:
Literal – The intended meaning of the author, this is not to be confused with a literalist meaning which does not regard figures of speech.
Allegorical – Deals with archetypes where the events and stories of the Old Testament find their perfection and fulfillment in the New Testament. The crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Baptism.
Anagogical – Teaches about the eternal destiny of God’s people and the world.
Moral – Tells us how we are to behave, and what is right and what is wrong.
The New Testament should be read in the light of the Old Testament, and the Old testament should be read in the light of Christ as shown in the New Testament. “The NT lies hidden in the OT, and the OT is unveiled in the NT.”-St. Augustine
“The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,' by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’””-St. Jerome -CCC-
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
RCIA Team Meeting Agenda
Thursday 9-11-08
Introductions (5 min)
Schedule December Team Meeting
Review Up Coming Events on Calendar (5 min)
Dismissal Status (5 min)
Tuesday Night Status (5 min)
Catechumen and Candidate Status (5 min, Confidential)
Friday sessions with Fr. Andre (5 min)
Stretch
Catechumenate Part 1 (30 min)
Introductions (5 min)
Schedule December Team Meeting
Review Up Coming Events on Calendar (5 min)
Dismissal Status (5 min)
Tuesday Night Status (5 min)
Catechumen and Candidate Status (5 min, Confidential)
Friday sessions with Fr. Andre (5 min)
Stretch
Catechumenate Part 1 (30 min)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Catechists For Adults
Our parish is having a catechist in service, and I am helping with the Adults. Here is some material I am giving to them.
Catechists for Adults
- Catechist after Christ’s own heart.
- The best of the best.
- Love their students so much they refuse to teach them anything but the truth in all its fullness.
- Adapt and overcome.
Tips of the trade
- Talk about Christ.
o Never waste anytime getting to the topic of the Good Lord. 5 Minutes is too long. Use Mary as your example, she always points to her Son.
o No one is interested in the Church, as much as they are interested in God working through the Church.
o Share why you believe with the class early and often.
- Lesson Planning
o Plan Backwards: Start with what you want them to leave your class with.
o Then design everything to build up to it.
o Cut out the fluff.
o KISS – keep it simple stupid.
o Teach systematically. Cover the essentials first. Answer their questions.
o Use the catechism to find out what the essentials are.
o Rarely if ever use the CCC in class.
o CCC online: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.shtml
- Generate Energy
o No yawning, act excited to be there
o In large groups never sit down. Go into the grab their attention when you need it.
o Look them in the face.
o In small groups, the more conversation the better.
o Ask questions, and then wait for the answer. Then work with what they give you.
o Ask for volunteers, and choose victims.
o Play games once in a while. Jeopardy, Hangman, Pictionary
- Bible
o Use it as much as possible.
o Have them use it.
o Tell them to bring it with them, that they are going to use it.
o Have them find the books, don’t give them page numbers.
o Have them read it, explain it, and teach it to each other
o Explain what happens in the Bible as stories, and the characters are very similar to us in many cases.
o Use a concordance to help with you lesson plan.
- http://www.biblestudytools.net/
- Yes it is protestant, but the tools are still good, and free.
- Use the New Revised Standard, and you can search for words and phrases in parts of the Bible
- The NAB online: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
o You have to read it to teach it. Here are bible studies on the weekly readings if you need help: http://www.calsnet.net/scb_bible_study
- Most important material in order or precedence:
o Bible
- Especially the Gospels which tell the life of Christ
o Catechism
o The personal witness and holiness of the catechist.
o Other programs, materials, books, and stuff are generally pretty useless, though some can be more helpful if you need ideas to get off of the ground. They are like training wheels, and in time are discarded, or at least rarely used.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What follows can be considered the opinion of Dave Campbell and is only worth as much as that.
What is the role of new media in catechesis and evangelization?
Internet-Should be largely used outside of the classroom. The Internet can be used to organize and socialize and quickly disseminate information. The internet can aid those looking for you, and for what you do. The internet has no role in the class room.
Video-Videos make good supplemental information for outside of the classroom. Videos can be used for make up work. They can be good from recruiting, inspiring, and advertising. Videos are best used outside the classroom. Except to tell a short inspiring story a video has no significant roll in the classroom. Videos are commonly used a crutch for a catechist, who lacks the time or willingness to master the material. Videos of only exceptional quality should ever be shown, and even then they may lack the connection that a live person can make with the class. A video has no faith.
Power Point – Power Point and similar presentations are often used incorrectly. Power point should be used to illustrate points and provide context for what the presenter is doing. Pictures and illustrations that match what the person is talking about. The presenter should never be reading from their power point. In the classroom, this is optional, and a good white board may negate any need for it.
Music- can be used for mediation, socializing, praise, or fellowship. It can be a good aide in the right spots. Music is probably best used when everyone participates. Different people like different music, and different music is more or less appropriate for catechetical and liturgical settings, and so care should be exercised when selecting music to use.
Catechists for Adults
- Catechist after Christ’s own heart.
- The best of the best.
- Love their students so much they refuse to teach them anything but the truth in all its fullness.
- Adapt and overcome.
Tips of the trade
- Talk about Christ.
o Never waste anytime getting to the topic of the Good Lord. 5 Minutes is too long. Use Mary as your example, she always points to her Son.
o No one is interested in the Church, as much as they are interested in God working through the Church.
o Share why you believe with the class early and often.
- Lesson Planning
o Plan Backwards: Start with what you want them to leave your class with.
o Then design everything to build up to it.
o Cut out the fluff.
o KISS – keep it simple stupid.
o Teach systematically. Cover the essentials first. Answer their questions.
o Use the catechism to find out what the essentials are.
o Rarely if ever use the CCC in class.
o CCC online: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.shtml
- Generate Energy
o No yawning, act excited to be there
o In large groups never sit down. Go into the grab their attention when you need it.
o Look them in the face.
o In small groups, the more conversation the better.
o Ask questions, and then wait for the answer. Then work with what they give you.
o Ask for volunteers, and choose victims.
o Play games once in a while. Jeopardy, Hangman, Pictionary
- Bible
o Use it as much as possible.
o Have them use it.
o Tell them to bring it with them, that they are going to use it.
o Have them find the books, don’t give them page numbers.
o Have them read it, explain it, and teach it to each other
o Explain what happens in the Bible as stories, and the characters are very similar to us in many cases.
o Use a concordance to help with you lesson plan.
- http://www.biblestudytools.net/
- Yes it is protestant, but the tools are still good, and free.
- Use the New Revised Standard, and you can search for words and phrases in parts of the Bible
- The NAB online: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
o You have to read it to teach it. Here are bible studies on the weekly readings if you need help: http://www.calsnet.net/scb_bible_study
- Most important material in order or precedence:
o Bible
- Especially the Gospels which tell the life of Christ
o Catechism
o The personal witness and holiness of the catechist.
o Other programs, materials, books, and stuff are generally pretty useless, though some can be more helpful if you need ideas to get off of the ground. They are like training wheels, and in time are discarded, or at least rarely used.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What follows can be considered the opinion of Dave Campbell and is only worth as much as that.
What is the role of new media in catechesis and evangelization?
Internet-Should be largely used outside of the classroom. The Internet can be used to organize and socialize and quickly disseminate information. The internet can aid those looking for you, and for what you do. The internet has no role in the class room.
Video-Videos make good supplemental information for outside of the classroom. Videos can be used for make up work. They can be good from recruiting, inspiring, and advertising. Videos are best used outside the classroom. Except to tell a short inspiring story a video has no significant roll in the classroom. Videos are commonly used a crutch for a catechist, who lacks the time or willingness to master the material. Videos of only exceptional quality should ever be shown, and even then they may lack the connection that a live person can make with the class. A video has no faith.
Power Point – Power Point and similar presentations are often used incorrectly. Power point should be used to illustrate points and provide context for what the presenter is doing. Pictures and illustrations that match what the person is talking about. The presenter should never be reading from their power point. In the classroom, this is optional, and a good white board may negate any need for it.
Music- can be used for mediation, socializing, praise, or fellowship. It can be a good aide in the right spots. Music is probably best used when everyone participates. Different people like different music, and different music is more or less appropriate for catechetical and liturgical settings, and so care should be exercised when selecting music to use.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Dismissal Prayer
Here is a prayer that the Priest may use in dismissing the catechumens from Mass for their study of the scriptures. Posted for convenience as it is already found in the dismissal training.
Priest:
Would the Catechumens and Candidates in the RCIA please come forward.My dear friends, this community now sends you forth to reflect more deeply upon the word of God which you have shared with us today. Be assured of our loving support and prayers for you. We look forward to the day when you will share fully in the Lord’s Table.
Priest:
Would the Catechumens and Candidates in the RCIA please come forward.My dear friends, this community now sends you forth to reflect more deeply upon the word of God which you have shared with us today. Be assured of our loving support and prayers for you. We look forward to the day when you will share fully in the Lord’s Table.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Why do we do RCIA that way?
There is a lot of room for variation in how one implements the RCIA in your Parish. So one RCIA program will not look like another. So some RCIA programs can legitimately do things differently, and even some can differ because a program is may have an issue with how it is being implemented.
This all rises to the big question of why do we do RCIA the way we do it at IHM?
In this post and others to follow it from time to time, I seek to answer that question in specific contexts.
How long does it take to go through RCIA?
That depends on you. RCIA is not a degree program. It is a walk in faith with the Lord. Some people walk faster than others, and some need to go farther than others. There are a series of gates in the process, and the criteria for passing through them is that you are ready, not that we reached a date on the calendar and that we have to be moving on. RCIA takes as long as it takes.
Why is our RCIA program year round?
RCIA is year around because because the Holy Spirit draws people to God all year long. If the Holy Spirit provides the inquirers, then our inquiry team goes to work.
RCIA is year around because if some comes to you on Pentecost and says they are interested in becoming Catholic and your answer is too come back in September when we start classes, than your program has a broken foundation.
RCIA catechists are here to serve the truth and those seeking it.
How many people do you have in RCIA?
I refrain from counting them, lest I delude myself into believing that it is I who make converts and not the Lord.
A better question is are we doing a good job of attending the needs of those in RCIA and are we inviting people who might be interested.
Do Baptized Candidates come into the Church on Easter?
Baptized Candidates come into the church when they are ready. Depending on their level of catechesis and faith they may need more or less catechesis and formation. The Rite is very clear that no greater burden than necessary be placed on candidates, after all they are already baptized. If the candidate is ready in the Easter season, we usually have make their profession during the Easter season but not at the Vigil. The Rite has the Easter Vigil really geared for baptism. If for pastoral reasons it we be good to included candidates we do, but it is not our default position. An example of pastoral reason may be a husband and wife where one is baptized at the Vigil and the other makes their profession of faith.
The short answer is we have the candidates make their profession of faith when they are ready and it makes sense. We don't do it on the Vigil unless we have a good reason.
Check back for more, and if there is something you want answered let me know!
This all rises to the big question of why do we do RCIA the way we do it at IHM?
In this post and others to follow it from time to time, I seek to answer that question in specific contexts.
How long does it take to go through RCIA?
That depends on you. RCIA is not a degree program. It is a walk in faith with the Lord. Some people walk faster than others, and some need to go farther than others. There are a series of gates in the process, and the criteria for passing through them is that you are ready, not that we reached a date on the calendar and that we have to be moving on. RCIA takes as long as it takes.
Why is our RCIA program year round?
RCIA is year around because because the Holy Spirit draws people to God all year long. If the Holy Spirit provides the inquirers, then our inquiry team goes to work.
RCIA is year around because if some comes to you on Pentecost and says they are interested in becoming Catholic and your answer is too come back in September when we start classes, than your program has a broken foundation.
RCIA catechists are here to serve the truth and those seeking it.
How many people do you have in RCIA?
I refrain from counting them, lest I delude myself into believing that it is I who make converts and not the Lord.
A better question is are we doing a good job of attending the needs of those in RCIA and are we inviting people who might be interested.
Do Baptized Candidates come into the Church on Easter?
Baptized Candidates come into the church when they are ready. Depending on their level of catechesis and faith they may need more or less catechesis and formation. The Rite is very clear that no greater burden than necessary be placed on candidates, after all they are already baptized. If the candidate is ready in the Easter season, we usually have make their profession during the Easter season but not at the Vigil. The Rite has the Easter Vigil really geared for baptism. If for pastoral reasons it we be good to included candidates we do, but it is not our default position. An example of pastoral reason may be a husband and wife where one is baptized at the Vigil and the other makes their profession of faith.
The short answer is we have the candidates make their profession of faith when they are ready and it makes sense. We don't do it on the Vigil unless we have a good reason.
Check back for more, and if there is something you want answered let me know!
Dismissal Training
Dismissal Training for Catechists
1. Opening Prayer
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
2. Contact Information
Director of Catechetical Ministries
Marcial Lopez
Office:760-789-6151
Email: mlopez@parishmail.com
RCIA Coordinator
Dave Campbell
Home: 760-788-5887
Cell: 619-838-7318
Work: 858-592-4249
Email: campbells.way@cox.net
Parish Office
760-789-0583
3. Introduction
This training material is intended to give basic instruction on leading an RCIA Sunday Dismissal (also referred to as Breaking Open the Word) at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process by which the Catholic Church receives into full membership those people who seek to follow Christ and be Catholic Christians.
The RCIA process is a walk of faith with God. As such it is a natural process and not a regimented program. The RCIA process takes an individual as long as it takes them.
The RCIA Team at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish of Ramona is a group of Catholics who minister to those individuals seeking to become Catholic.
The mission of the RCIA Team at IHM is to make disciples of all of Ramona, teaching them and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The RCIA Team is flexible, adaptable, and humble, recognizing that each person coming through our doors is a unique soul that has never happened before and will never happen again. We are humbled by our responsibility and constantly seek Christ to help us.
The RCIA Team ministers to these individuals as long as there are people interested in discovering the Catholic Faith. The RCIA Team at IHM does not take breaks to accommodate the academic calendar, because Christ does not take such breaks in calling people to His Church. It is the goal of the RCIA team to build up to a Catechumenate which lasts a full year, allowing the Catechumens to experience the full liturgical year before being baptized.
At IHM the RCIA Team is also responsible for the formation of those adult Catholics seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation and to deepen their Faith in God.
Lastly, the RCIA Team recognizes that if we are perfectly prepared, know everything in the Bible, the Catechism, and Church History, have an abundance of expertly trained catechists and sponsors, but do not have Christ, we will fail. Even if we are poorly prepared, overworked, undermanned, under trained, but Christ is with us, He will succeed. Our responsibility is to be well prepared, well organized, well trained, and rooted in prayer; so that we may best cooperate with the Lord in His ministry of RCIA.
4. Dismissal Leader Job Description
The “Guide on the Side”
Time Commitment: 1 hour on a Sunday.
Gifts Needed:
Willingness to share your own Faith story
Listening
Small Group Facilitation
Love of Scripture
Ability to answer some basic questions on the readings:
What did this reading mean to the writer?
What does this reading mean to me when I heard it?
How am I going to apply it to my life tomorrow?
Activity Description: Lead the Catechumens and Candidates from the blessing to the place of the meeting. Open with prayer. Review the readings seeking their input and motivating their conversation. Once the conversation is in full swing, listen and gently guide. After 30 minutes close with a prayer, and return to the Church.
5. Listening
The Art of Listening
Show interest in the person
Focus on what they say, but also on why they say it.
Focus on Emotional Attitudes
Be aware of your own feelings and attitudes
Avoid talking too much about yourself
Avoid judgmental comments
Avoid controlling the conversation
Be sensitive to body language
6. CheckList
Breaking Open the Word and RCIA Mass Dismissal Check List
Get the key for the Ministry Center or other scheduled location ahead of time.
Read the Sunday’s readings ahead of time so you are prepared.
Bring the readings and the Dismissal Prayers with you.
Arrive to Mass 15 min. early.
Make sure the Priest knows there is an RCIA Dismissal after the Homily.
Get a spare copy of Lectionary from the Sacristy.
After the Homily, go to the front of the Church holding up the Lectionary. (Do this before the Priest stands up, it will remind him about the dismissal)
The Priest will call the Catechumens and the Candidates forward and bless them.
After the blessing lead them out of the Church holding up the Lectionary.
Lead them to the session location.
Begin with a Prayer.
Take Attendance and return to the RCIA Coordinator.
Have volunteers read the readings.
Discuss them, give everyone a chance to share, but do not let any one person dominate.
The session should take about 30 minutes.
Close with a prayer.
Close up any doors that were opened.
7. Dismissal Prayer
Most Priests will not ask for the dismissal prayer but some will (Fr. Lou will). If so give them this:
Dismissal Prayer
Priest:
Would the Catechumens and Candidates in the RCIA please come forward.
My dear friends, this community now sends you forth to reflect more deeply upon the word of God which you have shared with us today. Be assured of our loving support and prayers for you. We look forward to the day when you will share fully in the Lord’s Table
8. Closing Reflection
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something,and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.-Archbishop. Oscar Romero
1. Opening Prayer
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
2. Contact Information
Director of Catechetical Ministries
Marcial Lopez
Office:760-789-6151
Email: mlopez@parishmail.com
RCIA Coordinator
Dave Campbell
Home: 760-788-5887
Cell: 619-838-7318
Work: 858-592-4249
Email: campbells.way@cox.net
Parish Office
760-789-0583
3. Introduction
This training material is intended to give basic instruction on leading an RCIA Sunday Dismissal (also referred to as Breaking Open the Word) at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process by which the Catholic Church receives into full membership those people who seek to follow Christ and be Catholic Christians.
The RCIA process is a walk of faith with God. As such it is a natural process and not a regimented program. The RCIA process takes an individual as long as it takes them.
The RCIA Team at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish of Ramona is a group of Catholics who minister to those individuals seeking to become Catholic.
The mission of the RCIA Team at IHM is to make disciples of all of Ramona, teaching them and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The RCIA Team is flexible, adaptable, and humble, recognizing that each person coming through our doors is a unique soul that has never happened before and will never happen again. We are humbled by our responsibility and constantly seek Christ to help us.
The RCIA Team ministers to these individuals as long as there are people interested in discovering the Catholic Faith. The RCIA Team at IHM does not take breaks to accommodate the academic calendar, because Christ does not take such breaks in calling people to His Church. It is the goal of the RCIA team to build up to a Catechumenate which lasts a full year, allowing the Catechumens to experience the full liturgical year before being baptized.
At IHM the RCIA Team is also responsible for the formation of those adult Catholics seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation and to deepen their Faith in God.
Lastly, the RCIA Team recognizes that if we are perfectly prepared, know everything in the Bible, the Catechism, and Church History, have an abundance of expertly trained catechists and sponsors, but do not have Christ, we will fail. Even if we are poorly prepared, overworked, undermanned, under trained, but Christ is with us, He will succeed. Our responsibility is to be well prepared, well organized, well trained, and rooted in prayer; so that we may best cooperate with the Lord in His ministry of RCIA.
4. Dismissal Leader Job Description
The “Guide on the Side”
Time Commitment: 1 hour on a Sunday.
Gifts Needed:
Willingness to share your own Faith story
Listening
Small Group Facilitation
Love of Scripture
Ability to answer some basic questions on the readings:
What did this reading mean to the writer?
What does this reading mean to me when I heard it?
How am I going to apply it to my life tomorrow?
Activity Description: Lead the Catechumens and Candidates from the blessing to the place of the meeting. Open with prayer. Review the readings seeking their input and motivating their conversation. Once the conversation is in full swing, listen and gently guide. After 30 minutes close with a prayer, and return to the Church.
5. Listening
The Art of Listening
Show interest in the person
Focus on what they say, but also on why they say it.
Focus on Emotional Attitudes
Be aware of your own feelings and attitudes
Avoid talking too much about yourself
Avoid judgmental comments
Avoid controlling the conversation
Be sensitive to body language
6. CheckList
Breaking Open the Word and RCIA Mass Dismissal Check List
Get the key for the Ministry Center or other scheduled location ahead of time.
Read the Sunday’s readings ahead of time so you are prepared.
Bring the readings and the Dismissal Prayers with you.
Arrive to Mass 15 min. early.
Make sure the Priest knows there is an RCIA Dismissal after the Homily.
Get a spare copy of Lectionary from the Sacristy.
After the Homily, go to the front of the Church holding up the Lectionary. (Do this before the Priest stands up, it will remind him about the dismissal)
The Priest will call the Catechumens and the Candidates forward and bless them.
After the blessing lead them out of the Church holding up the Lectionary.
Lead them to the session location.
Begin with a Prayer.
Take Attendance and return to the RCIA Coordinator.
Have volunteers read the readings.
Discuss them, give everyone a chance to share, but do not let any one person dominate.
The session should take about 30 minutes.
Close with a prayer.
Close up any doors that were opened.
7. Dismissal Prayer
Most Priests will not ask for the dismissal prayer but some will (Fr. Lou will). If so give them this:
Dismissal Prayer
Priest:
Would the Catechumens and Candidates in the RCIA please come forward.
My dear friends, this community now sends you forth to reflect more deeply upon the word of God which you have shared with us today. Be assured of our loving support and prayers for you. We look forward to the day when you will share fully in the Lord’s Table
8. Closing Reflection
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something,and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.-Archbishop. Oscar Romero
Dismissal Checklist
Breaking Open the Word and RCIA Mass Dismissal Check List
-Get the key for the Ministry Center or other scheduled location ahead of time.
-Read the Sunday’s readings ahead of time so you are prepared.
-Bring the readings and the Dismissal Prayers with you.
-Arrive to Mass 15 min. early.
-Make sure the Priest knows there is an RCIA Dismissal after the Homily.
-Get a spare copy of Lectionary from the Sacristy.
-After the Homily, go to the front of the Church holding up the Lectionary. (Do this before the Priest stands up, it will remind him about the dismissal)
-The Priest will call the Catechumens and the Candidates forward and bless them.
-After the blessing lead them out of the Church holding up the Lectionary.
-Lead them to the session location. This is where the key comes in handy.
-Begin with a Prayer.
-Have volunteers read the readings.
-Discuss them, give everyone a chance to share, but do not let any one person dominate.
-The session should take about 30 minutes.
-Close with a prayer.
-Sign the calendars of the catechumens.
-Close up any doors that were opened.
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