Catechumens

Reconnecting with the experience of baptism: the neophytes and the community

Because I was just a baby when I was baptized, I am more than ever intrigued by the experience of being present at the celebration of baptism now. And with ministry in Christian Initiation there is so much more! A few years ago our parish celebrated an Easter Vigil that became truly memorable, not because

Reconnecting with the experience of baptism: the neophytes and the community

Frequently asked questions about the RCIA dismissal of catechumens

Isn’t it inhospitable to dismiss catechumens from Mass? Everyone is dismissed from Mass. When we are dismissed depends upon which order of the church we belong to.In the early church, there were several orders of participants in the liturgy who were dismissed, all at different times: catechumens, energoumens (those possessed by demons), penitents, and the

Frequently asked questions about the RCIA dismissal of catechumens

Why is the dismissal of the RCIA catechumens important?

One of the most misunderstood elements of the catechumenate process is the ritual dismissal of the catechumens from the Mass after the homily. Many catechumenate team members resist dismissing the catechumens because, to the team, it seems inhospitable. In other parishes, there is a tendency to go overboard, dismissing everyone including baptized candidates and even

Why is the dismissal of the RCIA catechumens important?

Confirmation

Most people who want to delay the confirmation or first Communion of children who are baptized through the catechumenate process believe it is more pastoral for the children to celebrate confirmation or first Communion when they are older, with their peers who were baptized as infants. Two reasons for this run along the following lines

Confirmation

Will your Rite of Election be a true decision point this year?

Will the Rite of Election be celebrated in your parish worship space this year? Many dioceses are shifting the rite out of the cathedral and into the parish because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And in dioceses where the celebration will still be held at the cathedral, the number of people present will be dramatically smaller

Will your Rite of Election be a true decision point this year?

Is your RCIA open all year-round? Managing RCIA seekers’ expectations

One thing I’ve learned in this ministry is that everyone comes to it with certain expectations. This is one of the biggest challenges when working with your initiation team in moving to a year-round process. But your team and your parish leadership are not the only ones with certain expectations. Your seekers also come to

Is your RCIA open all year-round? Managing RCIA seekers’ expectations

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