Need help with RCIA resources

[Claire_from_DE]

Do you know of any resources which coordinate the Sunday readings with the main Catholic doctrines and practices which should be covered during the RCIA process? Our pastor has suggested having three 45-minute Sunday morning sessions a month based on the Sunday readings along with one two-hour evening session a month to explore a topic in more depth (such as ‘the sacraments’, or Catholic social teachings). This would continue pretty much all year round so the resources would have to take into account the 3-year cycle of readings. Any suggestions?

 

[japhy]

Do you know of any resources which coordinate the Sunday readings with the main Catholic doctrines and practices which should be covered during the RCIA process?

While I don’t know of a resource as specific as what you request, I have a resources that could greatly assist you.

Using my Lectionary reference tool, you can find readings either by entering a Scripture reference or by selecting the day from the a drop-down list. The readings returned are cross-referenced with the Catechism: you click on a link and are taken to the excerpts of the Catechism that mention that particular passage from Scripture.

Unfortunately, the web site appears to be down right now. Maybe it’ll be back up in a few hours…

 

[puzzleannie]

Do you know of any resources which coordinate the Sunday readings with the main Catholic doctrines and practices which should be covered during the RCIA process? Our pastor has suggested having three 45-minute Sunday morning sessions a month based on the Sunday readings along with one two-hour evening session a month to explore a topic in more depth (such as ‘the sacraments’, or Catholic social teachings). This would continue pretty much all year round so the resources would have to take into account the 3-year cycle of readings. Any suggestions?

two good ones
The Gospel Truth: a lectionary based catechism for adults,
by Kenneth Ogorek, ET Nedder publishing
cross referenced to US Catholic Catechism for adults
isbn 978-1-893757-53-0

another is Opening the Scriptures, from Our Sunday Visitor
this is best used in conjunction with Making Disciples, the guide from OSV for the catechist that shows “what we have to teach” from the CCC for each topic and/or with OSV’s catechism, Essentials of Faith, Teen Catechism, etc.

caveat of course is that lectionary based syllabus works only if you are doing year-round RCIA

 

[margya]

I suggest RCIA program from the American for Catechumenal Ministry which we are using in our parish: rciablog.com/resources/

Also, the RCIA Rite book which goes into the RICA process. Every Sunday, the candiates will dismissed from Mass after the Homily and do what is called Breaking Open the Word. Each Sunday, the readings for the Mass are discusses. Another session is held to over the topics like Sacraments, Holy Trinity on a different day.

 

[kage_ar]

I suggest RCIA program from the American for Catechumenal Ministry which we are using in our parish: rciablog.com/resources/

Also, the RCIA Rite book which goes into the RICA process. Every Sunday, the candiates will dismissed from Mass after the Homily and do what is called Breaking Open the Word. Each Sunday, the readings for the Mass are discusses. Another session is held to over the topics like Sacraments, Holy Trinity on a different day.

So second ACM. It is solid.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Thanks for the resource help. Now can you give me examples of the mechanics of year-round RCIA? How many RCIA teams or team members are involved? Does an inquiry session start every couple months? Does a new person just join a group in progress? etc.

In our parish we have had from 2 to 12 persons a year going thru RCIA. Presently we begin at the end of September and finish up Mystagogy by the end of May and we have 5 people on the team. Two different team members present a topic each week. We have a 50 minute session during the religious ed time on Sunday morning and can’t run late because the people have to leave to pick up their children. I seems a little rushed.

We have three people waiting to begin RCIA now and don’t want to have them wait for almost 4 months to begin.

Also, do you advertise in any way except through the church bulletin and word of mouth?

 

[kage_ar]

We have 15 - 20 each year who come in.

Our pastor does lectures each Wed evening Sept/Easter Vigil. When our Pastor is unable to teach that week, one of our associate pastors or a deacon will fill in.

This uses the ACM materials.

Mystagogy begins after the Vigil - Pentecost. That is led by one of the other RCIA team lay persons (we have 5 on the current team).

This year we are continuing after Pentecost with a class that will still meet every Wednesday, we are going to use one of the Scott Hahn series over the summer. Same RCIA team of 5 will facilitate these discussions. This will allow those who came in at Easter to continue to learn and be part of a group, those who are inquiring now to join up and get to know the group, and adults in the Parish to have a summer Religious Ed group if they’d like.

The official classes with Father start in the Fall. Each of these we videotape and burn to DVD.

When people start late in the year, or miss a lecture during the year, they can get the DVD and then one of the RCIA team will facilitate a Q and A session to follow up. This catches up the newbies and makes certain no one misses an important class!

 

[1ke]

ACM is great, and has participant materials, leader materials, and catechist materials.

It is NOT a lectionary based program, because RCIA is not supposed to be lectionary based. The catechetical component of RCIA should not follow the lectionary. It should be systematic, and a good model to follow is the four pillars of the Catechism.

Breaking Open The Word, for catechumens, is something completely separate. Take a look at Puzzleannie’s suggestions for that.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Thanks to all of you for your help and good suggestions!