How to Start an RCIA Team

A one-year time line for starting the catechumenate

Phase One

Week 1

  1. Order copies of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adultsfor each member of your team. If you don’t know how many team members you will have yet, order at least four copies. You can order more later if you need to.
  2. Order a copy of The RCIA: Transforming the Church: A Resource for Pastoral Implementation. Make sure you get the revised edition (It says “Revised and Updated Edition” at the top of the book.
  3. In consultation with the pastor, create a list of potential team members.
  4. Establish a date for a team meeting within the next two weeks. Choose a date the pastor can be present.
  5. Contact potential team members. Ask them for a one-year commitment to the team.

Week 2

  1. Read the Introduction to the RCIA (paragraphs 1-35). Write down notes and questions.
  2. Read pages 12-21 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church.

Week 3

  1. Hold your initial team meeting. Schedule 90 minutes for the meeting.
    • 20 min. Breaking open the word, using last Sunday’s Gospel.
    • 25 min. Read half of the Introduction. Take turns reading each paragraph out loud and discussing. Use pages 12-21 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church as your discussion guide.
    • 10 min. Break
    • 25 min. Continue reading and discussing the second half of the Introduction, paragraph by paragraph.
    • 10 min. Conclude the meeting.
      1. Make a list of next actions.
      2. Brainstorms names of other potential team members if necessary.
      3. Assign reading for the team to do: RCIA, paragraphs 36-40.
      4. Schedule your next meeting for sometime in the following week.
      5. Brief closing prayer.
  2. Read RCIA, paragraphs 36-40.
  3. Read pages 81-99 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church.

Week 4

  1. Hold your second team meeting. Schedule 90 minutes for the meeting.
    • 20 min. Breaking open the word, using last Sunday’s Gospel.
    • 25 min. If the team has read RCIA, paragraphs 36-40, lead a discussion using page 82 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church as your discussion guide. If they have not read it, read it a paragraph at a time and discuss.
    • 10 min. Break
    • 25 min. Brainstorm next steps for starting an inquiry process. Designate an ambassador of welcome (inquiry coordinator). If no one present steps forward or has the necessary gifts, brainstorm possible people within the parish to approach.
    • Set a date for launching your inquiry process two weeks from now.
    • 10 min. Conclude the meeting.
      1. Make a list of next actions.
      2. Assign reading for the team to do:RCIA, paragraphs 75-80.
      3. Schedule your next meeting for sometime in the following week.
      4. Brief closing prayer.
  2. Read RCIA, paragraphs 75-80.
  3. Read pages 116-149 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church.

Week 5

  1. Hold your third team meeting. Schedule 90 minutes for the meeting.
    • 20 min. Breaking open the word, using last Sunday’s Gospel.
    • 25 min. If the team has read RCIA, paragraphs 75-80, begin a discussion using pages 118-120 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church as your discussion guide. If they have not read it, read it a paragraph at a time and discuss. Pay particular attention to paragraph 75.
    • 10 min. Break
    • 25 min. Continue discussing RCIA, paragraphs 75-80.
    • 10 min. Conclude the meeting.
      1. Make a list of next actions.
      2. Assign reading for the team to do: RCIA, paragraphs 118-128.
      3. Schedule your next meeting for sometime in the following week.
      4. Brief closing prayer.
  2. Read RCIA, paragraphs 118-128.
  3. Read pages 166-185 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church.
  4. Amplify the parish evangelization efforts. Create flyers, announcements, and advertisements inviting people to join the church.

Week 6

  1. Launch your inquiry process. Place announcements in the bulletin, local newspaper, Starbucks bulletin board, and anywhere else you can think of. Refer all new inquirers to the ambassador of welcome (inquiry coordinator) from now own.
  2. Hold your fourth team meeting. Schedule 90 minutes for the meeting.
    • 20 min. Breaking open the word, using last Sunday’s Gospel.
    • 25 min. If the team has read RCIA, paragraphs 118-128, begin a discussion using pages 167-169 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church as your discussion guide. If they have not read it, read it a paragraph at a time and discuss.
    • 10 min. Break
    • 10 min. Assess the launch of the evangelization and inquiry process. What has been done? What still needs to be done? What has worked well? What needs attention? What can you do to let more potential inquirers know about your parish?
    • 15 min. Designate a sponsor coordinator. If no one present steps forward or has the necessary gifts, brainstorm possible people within the parish to approach. Set a date for implementing a sponsor recruitment program within the next two weeks. Set a date for a sponsor retreat and training day within the next month. If necessary, contact a retreat leader who can assist you in training the sponsors.
    • 10 min. Conclude the meeting.
      1. Make a list of next actions.
      2. Assign reading for the team to do: RCIA, paragraphs 224-251.
      3. Schedule your next meeting for sometime in the following week.
      4. Brief closing prayer.
  3. Read RCIA, paragraphs 224-251.
  4. Read pages 210-223 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church.

Week 7

  1. Hold your fifth team meeting. Schedule 90 minutes for the meeting.
    • 20 min. Breaking open the word, using last Sunday’s Gospel.
    • 25 min. If the team has read RCIA, paragraphs 224-251, begin a discussion using pages 210-212 of The RCIA: Transforming the Church as your discussion guide. If they have not read it, read it a paragraph at a time and discuss.
    • 10 min. Break
    • 10 min. Continue to assess the evangelization and inquiry process. What has worked well? What needs attention? What can you do to let more potential inquirers know about your parish?
    • 15 min. Assess the preparations for launching the sponsor recruitment program. What is on schedule? What needs attention?
    • 10 min. Conclude the meeting.
      1. Make a list of next actions.
      2. (Schedule your next meeting for sometime in the following week.)
      3. Brief closing prayer.

Phase Two

Coming soon