TBD
This a place holder, while I find the document on my old hard drive. Until I find it this excert from the Catechism will suffice.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Catechumenate Topic: Divine Revelation Scripture
Scripture
Catechumenate Topic
Divine Revelation is one single complete Word, and that Word is Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God into a Human Person. Nothing more can be said that what is communicated in the person of Christ.
Still we are human beings and incapable of understanding Revelation as a single Word, and so God condescends to communicate truths necessary for salvation through human authors into scripture.
God inspired human authors to cooperate with him in recording divine revelation. The books are both the “Words of God” and also work of the human author.
The Holy Spirit is the interpreter of Scripture, and because the spirit resides in the Church, the Church is the guardian of authentic scriptural interpretation. What this means is that in some very few instance, can be counted on your fingers, the Church has defined what scripture does not mean. The Church does this after a group of people have wandered off into heresy.
There are 4 “senses” or meanings that can be found in scripture.
The first is the literal sense, it means what the human author wanted to communicate. It does not mean the literalist sense. (Example: I was so surprised I jumped out of my skin. The literal sense means I was really scared. The literalist means I shed my skin in an act of launching myself into the air.)
The second is the allegorical sense, and it means that two things are linked through figurative meaning. For example Israel passing from slavery to freedom by passing through the Red Sea, is linked to the meaning of Baptism leading from slavery to sin to freedom in Grace.
The third sense is moral, meaning it gives instruction on we are to act. So when Christ says carry you cross and follow Him, it means change your life to follow His example no matter how hard.
The fourth sense is anagogical, which means it applies to our destiny at the end of time. So when Christ says the Son of Man comes like a thief in the night, it means that we will not know when the Second Coming is until it happens, it does not mean Christ is coming to rob us.
Scripture is composed of the Old Testament Jewish Scriptures, the 4 Gospels and the New Testament Epistles (Epistle means letter.) The Church decided on the list of books in the Bible in the early 5th century (~400 AD). Pope Damaus approved the list of the New Testamentat books the Synod of Rome in 374, and induced St. Jerome to translate the canon into Latin. The african Bishops also produced the same canons and sent them to Rome for approval.
Because the Scripture contains the Words of Devine Revelation, and Christ is the one Word, the Church venerates Scripture as the Body of Christ, similar to the Eucharist, but in a different way. At Mass Christ is truly present in the proclaiming of the Word and in its hearing, while He is always truly present in the Blesses Sacrament.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
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.'"
So read the Bible and Pray, and the Lord will come to you and reside in you, and keep you always as His very own.
Catechumenate Topic
Divine Revelation is one single complete Word, and that Word is Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God into a Human Person. Nothing more can be said that what is communicated in the person of Christ.
Still we are human beings and incapable of understanding Revelation as a single Word, and so God condescends to communicate truths necessary for salvation through human authors into scripture.
God inspired human authors to cooperate with him in recording divine revelation. The books are both the “Words of God” and also work of the human author.
The Holy Spirit is the interpreter of Scripture, and because the spirit resides in the Church, the Church is the guardian of authentic scriptural interpretation. What this means is that in some very few instance, can be counted on your fingers, the Church has defined what scripture does not mean. The Church does this after a group of people have wandered off into heresy.
There are 4 “senses” or meanings that can be found in scripture.
The first is the literal sense, it means what the human author wanted to communicate. It does not mean the literalist sense. (Example: I was so surprised I jumped out of my skin. The literal sense means I was really scared. The literalist means I shed my skin in an act of launching myself into the air.)
The second is the allegorical sense, and it means that two things are linked through figurative meaning. For example Israel passing from slavery to freedom by passing through the Red Sea, is linked to the meaning of Baptism leading from slavery to sin to freedom in Grace.
The third sense is moral, meaning it gives instruction on we are to act. So when Christ says carry you cross and follow Him, it means change your life to follow His example no matter how hard.
The fourth sense is anagogical, which means it applies to our destiny at the end of time. So when Christ says the Son of Man comes like a thief in the night, it means that we will not know when the Second Coming is until it happens, it does not mean Christ is coming to rob us.
Scripture is composed of the Old Testament Jewish Scriptures, the 4 Gospels and the New Testament Epistles (Epistle means letter.) The Church decided on the list of books in the Bible in the early 5th century (~400 AD). Pope Damaus approved the list of the New Testamentat books the Synod of Rome in 374, and induced St. Jerome to translate the canon into Latin. The african Bishops also produced the same canons and sent them to Rome for approval.
Because the Scripture contains the Words of Devine Revelation, and Christ is the one Word, the Church venerates Scripture as the Body of Christ, similar to the Eucharist, but in a different way. At Mass Christ is truly present in the proclaiming of the Word and in its hearing, while He is always truly present in the Blesses Sacrament.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
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.'"
So read the Bible and Pray, and the Lord will come to you and reside in you, and keep you always as His very own.
Catechumenate Topic: God
Catechumenate Topic: God
The existence of God is a question man has been asking for a long time. It was the crowning achievement of ancient philosophy when human logic deduced that there must be a God, a first creator of the universe, a God who is infinite and who’s very nature is existence.
The remaining questions about God are impenetrable by the human mind by reason alone. So God comes to man and begins revealing himself to us. This is called Divine Revelation. God telling us truths about Himself, about us, about our destiny with Him.
God reveals himself to Israel, he tells Moses his name, YHWH, I AM WHO AM. So God is He who IS. God is one and infinite. God does not need anything he is complete in himself. God is one; He is unity; he has no parts that can be divided. God is spirit, because if he were physical then He would have parts that can be divided. God has no limitations, no qualifiers, no conditions; God IS.
Further implications to the fact that God IS, are that He exists outside the universe which he created. He is not bound by time, since He created time. He is all powerful, and the origin of all things. He is unchanging. He knows everything, not because he learns it, but because simply being God, he knows all things. God is the origin and creator of all things. By His will all things were created, without his will all things would cease to exist. Because all things require God’s will simply to be, God is said to be everywhere and in all things.
God reveals that He loves with an everlasting love. That means that God has a principle of unlimited love, or the God is love, but not a human type of love. God is an unlimited perfect and total love.
God reveals that He is truth. Because God is existence, and knows all things, he cannot deny himself and tell something that is not true. God is unlimited truth.
God created man in His image, and giving man a finite but immortal spirit. God has also given man free will to choose as we would. God has done these things out of love for he loves man, not because we deserve it, or because we love God, or because he needs anything from us. His love is unconditional, unlimited.
So God has been working through the ages to bring about the salvation of mankind, and his love was so total that in time he sent His only Son to save mankind.
The existence of God is a question man has been asking for a long time. It was the crowning achievement of ancient philosophy when human logic deduced that there must be a God, a first creator of the universe, a God who is infinite and who’s very nature is existence.
The remaining questions about God are impenetrable by the human mind by reason alone. So God comes to man and begins revealing himself to us. This is called Divine Revelation. God telling us truths about Himself, about us, about our destiny with Him.
God reveals himself to Israel, he tells Moses his name, YHWH, I AM WHO AM. So God is He who IS. God is one and infinite. God does not need anything he is complete in himself. God is one; He is unity; he has no parts that can be divided. God is spirit, because if he were physical then He would have parts that can be divided. God has no limitations, no qualifiers, no conditions; God IS.
Further implications to the fact that God IS, are that He exists outside the universe which he created. He is not bound by time, since He created time. He is all powerful, and the origin of all things. He is unchanging. He knows everything, not because he learns it, but because simply being God, he knows all things. God is the origin and creator of all things. By His will all things were created, without his will all things would cease to exist. Because all things require God’s will simply to be, God is said to be everywhere and in all things.
God reveals that He loves with an everlasting love. That means that God has a principle of unlimited love, or the God is love, but not a human type of love. God is an unlimited perfect and total love.
God reveals that He is truth. Because God is existence, and knows all things, he cannot deny himself and tell something that is not true. God is unlimited truth.
God created man in His image, and giving man a finite but immortal spirit. God has also given man free will to choose as we would. God has done these things out of love for he loves man, not because we deserve it, or because we love God, or because he needs anything from us. His love is unconditional, unlimited.
So God has been working through the ages to bring about the salvation of mankind, and his love was so total that in time he sent His only Son to save mankind.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Syllbus 2008-2009
Topics in Catechumenate Source Material
God the Father "CCC: Part 1, Section 1, Ch1; and Section 2, Chapter 1"
Divine Revelation: Tradition "CCC: Part 1, Section 1, Ch2, Articles 1 and 2"
Divine Revelation: Scripture "CCC: Part 1, Section 1, Ch2, Article 3"God the Son "CCC: Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 2"
God the Holy Spirit "CCC: Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Arcticle 8"
Creed "CCC: Part 1, Section 1, Ch3"
Mary and the Saints "CCC: Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Arcticle 9, para 5-6"
Baptism "CCC: Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Arcticle 10; Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 1"
Confirmation "CCC: Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 2"
Eucharist "CCC: Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 3"
Eucharistic Adoration "Pray in front of the Tabernacle or the Exposed Eucharist"
Reconciliation "CCC: Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 4"
Anointing of the sick "CCC: Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 5"
Marriage "CCC: Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 7"
Holy Orders "CCC: Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 6"
Divine Mercy "Chaplet Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet"
Discipleship "CCC: Part 3, Section 1, Chapter 1, Article 2"
Life Issues "CCC: Part 3, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 5-6"
Justice and Peace "CCC: Part 3, Section 1, Chapter 2"
Singing "Sing as a form of prayer"
Divine Revelation: the Word of God "Bible: John Ch 1"
Salvation History: Creation "Bible: Genesis Ch1-11"
Salvation History: Patriarchs "Bible: Genesis Ch12-50"
Salvation History: Moses and Israel "Bible:Exodus"
Lord's Prayer "Pray the Lord's Prayer"
Salvation History: David, Exile, and Return "Bible: 1, 2 Samuel, 1,2 Kings, 1,2 Chronicles"
Salvation History: Christ "Bible: Read 1 of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John."
Christian History in short "Bible: Acts of the Apostles"
The Last Things "Bible: TBD"
Centering Prayer "Meditate on Christ"
The Church "CCC: Part 3, Section 1, Chapter 3, Article 3"
Mass and Liturgy "CCC: Part 2, Section 1"
Liturgy of the Hours "Pray the Liturgy of the Hours"
Baptism in Scripture "Bible: TBD"
Eucharist in Scripture "Bible: TBD"
Decalogue "CCC: Part 3, Section 2"
Rosary "Pray the Rosary"
Morality and Sin "CCC: Part 3, Section 1, Chapter 1, Arcticle 3-8;"
Human Sexuality "CCC: Part 3, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 6"
Discipleship in scripture "Bible: Acts of the Apostles"
Overview
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.
This Team Book is meant as an aide for RCIA Team. This book is meant to be edited and updated at least once a year as the RCIA team learns and adapts. The RCIA is never content with “the way it has always be done” while at the same time treasuring our experiences cooperating with 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.
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.
This Team Book is meant as an aide for RCIA Team. This book is meant to be edited and updated at least once a year as the RCIA team learns and adapts. The RCIA is never content with “the way it has always be done” while at the same time treasuring our experiences cooperating with 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.
Program Materials
[1] Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Study Edition
Publisher: USCCB
ISBN: 1-55586-214-4
[2] New American Bible: St. Joseph Edition
Publisher: Catholic Book Publishing Co.
ISBN: 0-89942-962-9
[3] Catechism of the Catholic Church
Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor
ISBN: 0-87973-977-0
Publisher: USCCB
ISBN: 1-55586-214-4
[2] New American Bible: St. Joseph Edition
Publisher: Catholic Book Publishing Co.
ISBN: 0-89942-962-9
[3] Catechism of the Catholic Church
Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor
ISBN: 0-87973-977-0
Terms and Definitions
Candidate – A validly baptized Christian (non-Catholic) seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Candidate may need different levels of evangelization, and catechesis. Un-catechized candidates need to go through the full RCIA process. Catechized candidates may simply need some level of further catechesis culminating in a profession of faith and the reception of the sacraments.
Catechist – A person responsible for accurately and faithfully teaching the practices and dogmas of the Catholic Church, trained by the Diocese.
Catechumen – An un-baptized adult seeking entrance into the Catholic Church who has gone through the Rite of Acceptance. A Catechumen needs to be Evangelized and Catechized.
Catechumenate – The period of RCIA between the Rite of Acceptance and the Rite of Election where Catechumens and Candidates receive proper catechesis and formation along with a deepening of their faith.
Easter Vigil – The Mass where Catechumens and into the Church and receive the sacraments.
Elect – The unbaptized you are preparing to be Baptized, Confirmed, and receive 1st Communion at the Easter Vigil. Catechumens are Elected at the Rite of Election.
Evangelist – A person who seeks to expose others to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, with the goal of leading them to a life of faith and a conversion of their life. The primary method of evangelization is the sharing of your personal faith story.
Godparent – A faithful Catholic chosen by the Catechumen or Candidate, approved by the pastor, who guides the Catechumen or Candidate after the Rite of Election.
Mystagogy – The period after the Easter Vigil where the Catechumens and Candidate, now Neophytes are integrated into the parish community and enter into a deeper understanding of their new sacramental life.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment – The period between the Rite of Election and the Easter Vigil where Catechumens and Candidates engage in deep reflection and discernment on their life, relationship with God, and call to faith.
Pre-Catechumenate – The period of RCIA before the Rite of Acceptance when people inquire into the Catholic Church without commitment.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, it is the process by which adults come into full communion with the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
Rite of Acceptance – The Rite through which the Church welcomes un-baptized adults into the Order of Catechumens where they will seek entrance into the Church. A modified Rite may be used to welcome baptized but un-catechized Christians as Candidates seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.
Rite of Election – The Rite at the beginning of Lent where Catechumens and Candidates are presented to the Bishop prior to their receiving the sacraments.
Sponsor – A faithful Catholic who guides a Catechumen or Candidate from the Rite of Acceptance to the Rite of Election.
Catechist – A person responsible for accurately and faithfully teaching the practices and dogmas of the Catholic Church, trained by the Diocese.
Catechumen – An un-baptized adult seeking entrance into the Catholic Church who has gone through the Rite of Acceptance. A Catechumen needs to be Evangelized and Catechized.
Catechumenate – The period of RCIA between the Rite of Acceptance and the Rite of Election where Catechumens and Candidates receive proper catechesis and formation along with a deepening of their faith.
Easter Vigil – The Mass where Catechumens and into the Church and receive the sacraments.
Elect – The unbaptized you are preparing to be Baptized, Confirmed, and receive 1st Communion at the Easter Vigil. Catechumens are Elected at the Rite of Election.
Evangelist – A person who seeks to expose others to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, with the goal of leading them to a life of faith and a conversion of their life. The primary method of evangelization is the sharing of your personal faith story.
Godparent – A faithful Catholic chosen by the Catechumen or Candidate, approved by the pastor, who guides the Catechumen or Candidate after the Rite of Election.
Mystagogy – The period after the Easter Vigil where the Catechumens and Candidate, now Neophytes are integrated into the parish community and enter into a deeper understanding of their new sacramental life.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment – The period between the Rite of Election and the Easter Vigil where Catechumens and Candidates engage in deep reflection and discernment on their life, relationship with God, and call to faith.
Pre-Catechumenate – The period of RCIA before the Rite of Acceptance when people inquire into the Catholic Church without commitment.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, it is the process by which adults come into full communion with the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
Rite of Acceptance – The Rite through which the Church welcomes un-baptized adults into the Order of Catechumens where they will seek entrance into the Church. A modified Rite may be used to welcome baptized but un-catechized Christians as Candidates seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.
Rite of Election – The Rite at the beginning of Lent where Catechumens and Candidates are presented to the Bishop prior to their receiving the sacraments.
Sponsor – A faithful Catholic who guides a Catechumen or Candidate from the Rite of Acceptance to the Rite of Election.
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