Altoona-Johnstown doing serious work on baptismal catechumenate as model for Confirmation

3 thoughts on “Altoona-Johnstown doing serious work on baptismal catechumenate as model for Confirmation”

  1. Rita, that’s hilarious that you ended up going around the Horseshoe Curve! A very famous venue, I might add! Of World War II significance. Did you get a chance to go to the museum?

    At any rate, the theme of the workshop is very significant. We’ve known about the RCIA as “model” for years, but the actual work of integrating our understanding of initiation into the work of preparing youth for Confirmation is still new territory for so many parishes.

    Did you get into what all happens during their “year of mystagogy” after Confirmation? I’d love to hear more about that.

  2. Rita Burns Senseman

    Horseshoe Curve is a very significant landmark and quite the engineering feat! I did not visit the museum, but I will on my next visit.
    Regarding the year of mystagogy, the highlights include a significant amount of time spent unpacking the experience of sacrament of confirmation. We talked a lot about the importance of good liturgical catechesis. Also, Jeanne emphasized the mission component of mystagogy, particularly as it relates to transitioning out of high school and onto college, career, or vocational training. How will the newly confirmed continue the mission of Jesus Christ as they leave high school and move out into a new arena?

  3. Jeanne Thompson and Francine Swope sent in this note:

    “We are so grateful for Rita accompanying us on this journey. She has indeed been a mentor to us as this has been the fourth workshop in our diocese since the mid-1990’s when we began to formally catechize “our folks” about the Rite of Christian Initiation Part II: Rites of Particular Circumstances for the Children of Catechetical Age.

    “Our friendship has also been growing through these years as we compare notes and pictures of our children, and now my grandchildren.

    “As a footnote: Rita Ferrone has also been a companion with us as she has been a presenter/facilitator three or four times too since the 1990’s.”

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