TeamRCIA Meets with Diocesan Directors

Photo courtesy of Tish Scargill

24 thoughts on “TeamRCIA Meets with Diocesan Directors”

  1. Rita Burns Senseman

    Alleluia! It was a good meeting! I was very impressed by the sense of hopefulness for what we can accomplish together and by the sense of determination to keep initiation ministry vibrant and improving.

    In particular, to your first point, Rita, I appreciated how several diocesan leaders stressed the importance of tailoring in-service and training to meet the needs of folks in their diocese. They told TeamRCIA how important it was for the folks in the local diocese to be involved in the planning. I think that is very telling, considering how busy and over-loaded many diocesan leaders are.

    I also think that providing assistance to those who minister in Spanish is very important. That point kept re-surfacing in our discussion!

    Lastly, I am so very sad about the dissolution of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. What marvelous and important work Forum did. But, I am hopeful that by working together, we can continue the mission!

  2. I want to say thank you to all of you who have taken up this task so that we can continue our formation direction in the future. We are also very saddened in the Diocese of Gary (IN) regarding the closing of Forum. The pastor of the parish I work for is our Doicesan Director and I will try to keep him abreast of what is going on as he wears many hats and sometimes does not have the opportunity to respond to emails.
    Again, thank you for all you do.
    Janice
    St. Michael Parish, Schererville, IN

  3. I am delighted that TeamRCIA is working on a plan with diocesan directors to support catechumenate formation. It answers a great need. I like that we are pooling are diocesan needs and talents with TeamRCIA to create what I believe will be an excellent resource for keeping the catechumenate healthy and vibrant in the parishes. The needs surfaced in our first webinar resonate with my experience and I look forward to addressing them together.

    Gratefully,

    Wendy

  4. Rita Burns Senseman

    Thanks for the comments, Janice and Wendy. And, thanks for the reminder to contact my diocesan director and let him know what’s happening. The more of us involved, the better!

  5. Rose Hernandez

    I add my thanks in taking up this very important work. My relationshop with Forum was not as long as most people have experienced, but I know we all will be feeling saddened at the loss of such a valuable resources. But what brings hope is that the work and the discussions will carry on. Isn’t that what every good leader wants…for the work to carry on in their absence? Forum has helped to form some great leaders, and as ministers of our Church, we continue to do all we can to see the work kept alive! Thank you to the team for such great efforts!!

  6. I want to praise the photograph above and explain it to those who weren’t at the meeting.

    Diana was able to get a map and pinpoint where all the people on the call were based. That’s the picture on the electronic tablet! It was great to see how widespread our callers were, and how much of the continent we speak from, including two participants from Canada: Ontario and Saskatoon, if I’m not mistaken.

    Where are you on that map? Is your state or region represented?

    Heartfelt thanks to the people who commented here so far: Rose, Wendy, Janice, and of course our team-mate and friend, Rita Burns Senseman. Your support and affirmation means a lot.

  7. Thanks Rita! I just updated the picture so that if you click on it, you can see the map. Give it a shoot!

  8. I’m so sorry I missed your recent meeting. Do you have me listed as the RCIA contact person for the Diocese of Trenton? If not, sign me up! I’m eager to work with you to find ways to support RCIA teams across the country. Forum will definitely be missed, but let’s not leave a vacuum. The work is too important!

    1. Hi JoLynn,

      I’ll make sure you are on the list. Thanks for being eager and willing to work with us. You are so right about the importance of this work. It’s great to have collaborators like you. Blessings on all you do to promote the vision.

      Nick

  9. Donna Tomasini

    I’m on the Diocese of Charleston’s Catechetical Board and would like to be added to the list. Thank you. Donna

  10. Maureen Kelly

    I cannot express how happy I am
    to hear about this development. You
    are carrying on the great Spirit and I
    know you will be blessed.
    Prayers and support as you carry on the
    mission.

    1. Hi Maureen. What a journey this has been! Thanks for all your important work with the Forum and all you have done to promote the vision. And thanks for your prayers and support.

      Nick

  11. I just want to echo the thanks to and for Team RCIA for the kind of work that you are doing – and hope to do – with all of us who support and form the RCIA in our dioceses and parishes. Reviewing the points, a Spanish/bilingual component is essential, as is basic formation. Catechists, and for that matter, directors and clergy, come and go, leaving parishes to start over and over again. It’s one of the challenges, and in some cases, one of the reasons for hope! It will be interesting to see what topics develop and if our needs are similar.

    1. Hi Joanna. You make a great point about parishes having to start over and over again. I hope we can develop something that will help alleviate that difficulty a little. Thanks for your terrific comments and support.

      Nick

  12. Peggy Donnelly

    I, too, am delighted to hear of this wonderful new development. I can’t tell you how saddened we were to learn of the closing of the North American Forum. All eight members of my RCIA
    Team are Forum trained, including four new members who attended the last Beginnings Institute in Knoxville. The Diocese of Tulsa does not have an RCIA Director as such, but the director of the office of Divine Worship is Rev. Msgr. Patrick Brankin, 918-294-1904,ext. 4955. Email address is: msgr.pat.brankin@dioceseoftulsa.org

    1. Hi Peggy. Wow, it sounds like you have a very well-trained team! Thanks for all the great work you’ve done to make that happen. Blessings on your ministry.

      Nick

  13. Sister Dianne Sehn

    Thank you for keeping the Spirit of RCIA alive. I look forward to your news, etc. The Holy Spirit is well and active. Blessings, Sr. Dianne, Saskatoon Canada

    1. Hi Dianne. Great to hear from you! Thanks for all your support and all the great work you do.

      Nick

  14. Thank you for continuing such an important ministry as a national RCIA voice. I enjoy the insights and thoughtfulness of our conversation. In thinking of this area we have much in common. Please keep the voice alive! Keep the need of the Hispanic community in RCIA growing.
    Blessings as we move forward.
    Sr. Celeste
    SF

  15. I am at the Nelson Diocasan office (British Columbia Canada) and would appreciate being part of discussions. We are a small diocese and our RCIA process is very weak–almost all are on a september to May process.

  16. Clare Colella

    Hello to all those who are involved with the TeamRCIA work! I am truly grateful for your continuing ministry and for being a resource for Initiation ministers. I know we will continue to keep in touch and look forward to being active in TeamRCIA .

    Thanks for your vision and efforts! Peace,
    Clare

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