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Webinars
Discernment Skills for the Rite of Election…and Beyond
Handout
Click to download the handout for discernment skills webinar
Free articles online
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Practical, essential do’s and don’ts for the scrutinies
Handout
[gview file=”https://knot.teamrcia.com/downloads/scrutinies-dosdonts.pdf”]
Free articles online
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Learn how to use the RCIA to train for Christian life
Handout
[gview file=”https://knot.teamrcia.com/powerpoints/handout-deep-structure.pdf” ]
Free articles online
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RCIA’s most vexing problems—and some creative solutions
Handout
[gview file=”https://knot.teamrcia.com/powerpoints/vexing-problems-handout.pdf”]
Free articles online
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[display-posts category="mystagogy" order="asc" posts_per_page="3" wrapper="ul"]
[display-posts tag="year-round" order="asc" posts_per_page="3" wrapper="ul"]
[display-posts category="dismissal" order="asc" posts_per_page="3" wrapper="ul"]
How to teach the Eucharistic Prayer
Handout
[gview file=”https://knot.teamrcia.com/handout/ep.pdf” target=”_blank”]
Eucharistic Prayer Bibliography
Hudock, Barry. The Eucharistic Prayer: A User’s Guide. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2010.
Mazza, Enrico. The Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Rite. New York: Pueblo Pub. Co., 1986.
Mazza, Enrico. The Origins of the Eucharistic Prayer. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1995.
McCarron, Richard. The Eucharistic Prayer at Sunday Mass. Chicago, Ill.: Liturgy Training Pub., 1997.
Senn, Frank C. New Eucharistic Prayers: An Ecumenical Study of Their Development and Structure. New York: Paulist Press, 1987.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Introduction to the Order of Mass: A Pastoral Resource of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy. Washington, DC: 2003.
Free articles online
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How to teach reconciliation
Handout
[gview file=”https://knot.teamrcia.com/downloads/reconciliation_handout.pdf” ]
Free articles online
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RCIA as the Model for All Parish Catechesis
Handout
Referenced in the webinar
Podcast Episode 27: RCIA as the model for all catechesis
Diana and Nick apply the six principles of the RCIA to wedding preparation.
Questions from the webinar
Q. As a liturgist, I see the benefit that Lectionary-based catechesis would be to a process like you describe. Can we still use "topic-based" catechetical series/materials in a process like this ideal?
A. I think that there isn’t really a distinction between “lectionary-based” catechesis and “topic-based” catechesis. The distinction is the starting point, not the content. In a classroom model, the starting point is usually the textbook or the Catechism or something similar. In a strict lectionary-based catechesis, the starting point is the Sunday gospel. I wouldn’t use either as a strict starting point. I would always begin with the catechumen’s experience of the Risen Christ. That experience might be from the liturgy or from something in daily life. By reflecting on that experience, we delve into the “content” of the faith. You can certainly use a text book or a handout to help you discuss and explore a topic you are not completely sure of. In very many cases, however, you will probably already, on your own, know enough of the basics of whatever it is you are discussing with those who are beginners in the faith.
It is true that left own their own, the catechumens will probably not have enough experiences or deep enough experiences to experience the full “content” of the faith. And that is why we require them to be in the catechumenate for at least one full liturgical year. At the very least, they will experience the fullness of the Risen Christ and all the church believes and teaches about the Risen Christ through the celebration of the liturgical year. Most probably, they will intensify that experience through their broader participation in parish life and by living their faith out in the world. All of these activities are sources for catechesis. If we are disciplined and systematic about exploring them, we will cover all the “topics” of the faith.
Q. I coordinate a program called "Baptism and Beyond" that offers formation and fellowship opportunities for families after their child’s baptism. Any ideas on how could I offer mystagogy reflections for them in a way that would be interesting or attractive to new parents with busy lives?
A. I would gather them about a week after the baptism liturgy and provide a mystagogical reflection on the rite itself. Here is an article that provides a five-step outline for leading a mystagogical reflection. You can use this with any event connected with the babies. For example, in addition to reflecting on the rite, you could do a reflection on the birth of the child. Or you could lead a reflection on how the parents decided to name the child. Click to read Mystagogy My Mother Could Do.
Q. Can you speak more about discerning where people are as far as evangelizing, initiatory catechesis…what are some markers for these early stages.
You can find some good markers for discerning whether a person is ready for the second level of catechesis (initiatory catechesis) in paragraph 42 in the RCIA. Those who are not yet exhibiting those behaviors in paragraph 42 still need more evangelization level catechesis. RCIA 42 is speaking about unbaptized inquirers, but you could use the same criteria as a general guideline for anyone you are catechizing.
Here is a brief video that goes more into paragraph 42:
Six signs of readiness for the Rite of Acceptance
And here are a couple of articles that might be helpful.
Is your RCIA team catechizing at all the levels the church expects?
Six “best practices” for every RCIA catechist
Q. For adults needing Eucharist and Confirmation in the RCIA program, is it necessary to have the Dismissal when they have been coming to Mass perhaps for years with their families?
Those who are baptized would not be dismissed since they have a rightful place among the baptized to pray the Creed, the prayers of the faithful, and the Eucharistic Prayer.
You can read a little more about this by clicking here.
Free articles online
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Before and After the Rite of Acceptance
Referenced in the webinar
Prayer
USCCB Prayer for the People of Syria
Podcasts on the Rite of Acceptance
[display-posts tag="Rite-of-Acceptance" order="asc" posts_per_page="8" wrapper="ul"]Handout
Free articles online
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What Every RCIA Team Needs To Know About the Dismissal
Handout
Referenced in this webinar
Pope Francis’ homily on 10/3/2013
And this joy is our strength. The joy of a memory close at hand. Sometimes the memory is domesticated, it becomes distant, and it becomes a mere historical account, it does not warm the heart, it does not give us joy and strength. But this encounter with the memory is an event of salvation, it is an encounter with the love of God who has made history with us and saved us; it is an encounter of salvation. And it is so beautiful to be saved, that we must have a celebration!
Episode 42: RCIA dismissal with children
Questions from the webinar that we didn’t have time for
Do the catechumens return at the end of Mass to be formally dismissed with the rest of the assembly
No. The dismissal at the end of Mass is for the baptized. So the catechumens do not return to the Mass to be dismissed again.
We only have about 1 hour and 30 minutes after mass. Do you do catechesis on another day?
Many parishes have catechesis on a different day than Sunday, so that’s always an option. However, I think one hour and thirty minutes is enough time to do both a dismissal session and a catechtical session, back to back.
Free articles online
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Evangelization: First Priority of the RCIA
Handout
Free articles online
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Catechizing baptized candidates
Handout
Resources mentioned in the webinar
A Step-by-Step Guide to Compelling Catechesis (webinar recording; includes discussion of how to create a learning plan)
Sample learning plan
The Art of Catechesis: What You Need to Be, Know and Do
Maureen Gallagher
Price $15.15
Free articles online
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