Diana Macalintal and I spent two days in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan recently, where the temperature dipped to minus-20 degrees Farenheit! But while the temperature was frigid outside, the hospitality and enthusiasm were warm inside.

We were there to meet with faith formation leaders from across the diocese to discuss ways to inspire active, committed, lifelong faith in parishes. Before we began, however, we had a couple of pre-event events.
 
 
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Muicians, priests, and leaders

Diana met with the musicians of the diocese to explore how excellent and prayerful music throughout the Triduum significantly increases parish engagement.

And Nick met with some of the priests of the diocese and some diocesan leaders to discuss how the unique challenges of the Saskatoon area and how to provide excellent formation processes with limited resources.
 
 

Start with the principles

By Friday evening, we were ready for the main event. We started with the six principles of the RCIA. Everyone had a chance to consider the principles, and then they identified three ways they wanted to explore those principles more deeply during our time together. They wrote each learning need on a sticky note and created a collage of ideas on the back wall. Throughout the rest of the event, we built our discovery process from those learning needs.

The next step was to ask how we meet Jesus. After we all did some storytelling about our own encounters with Jesus, we discussed how seekers might discover Jesus. The basis for this process is paragraph 75 of the RCIA. However, RCIA 75 follows the same process as the early disciples who listened to God’s word, broke bread together, and passionately proclaimed the good news. Therefore, the elements of RCIA 75 can be adapted and applied to any faith formation or parish renewal process.

We also said it was important to discern the level of catechesis that seekers or candidates find themselves in. Faith formation is not so much an educational process as it is a discernment process. Once we have discerned how the Holy Spirit has been leading someone, we can then discern the best next step in that person’s faith journey.

Perhaps one of the most eye-opening exercises we did on the event was to give everyone a parish bulletin. Then, using all of the principles we had discussed up to that point, we challenged each table group to find something in the bulletin—a parish event—and turn that into a faith formation opportunity.

We wrapped up by doing some goal setting and defining next steps.
 
 

We have to give a shout out to the two organizers of the event—Michelle Sieben and Elan Ehresman. These women are passionate about their work as faith formation leaders in the diocese, and they put in an incredible amount of time supporting and resourcing the parishes of the diocese.

They were were terrific hosts, always making sure that Diana and I and the participants had everything we needed for a fantastic event.
 

Cathedral tour

And I have to mention the new Holy Family Cathedral in Saskatoon! After the event, Michelle and Elan took Diana and me on a personal tour. The 65,000-square-foot building includes a worship space for 1,200 that can open up to seat 2,000; a hall with kitchen facilities; programming areas for children and youth; meeting rooms, and a residence for the Holy Family pastor, as well as offices for the parish, Catholic Pastoral Centre and chancery, a diocesan resource library and archives. Diana was envious and was envisioning all the different diocesan liturgies that would take place there. You can take a virtual tour yourself at this link: http://holyfamilycathedral.ca/about-us/cathedral-virtual-tour

Some of the participants asked us if we were tired from our long flight and then two full days of being on our feet presenting. I honestly wasn’t tired at all. I think the Holy Spirit takes over and lifts us up when needed, and it felt like the Spirit was moving powerfully in Saskatoon that weekend. We had a wonderful time, and we hope we get invited back sometime. Maybe in the summer next time!

Join us for the next institute!

We’d love to have you be a part of our next TeamRCIA training institute. One participant said, “Our team came to experience the energy and community spirit of other participants and that happened — thanks!”

 To find out where we’ll be and what you can expect, click here.