Year - Round RCIA Program

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Hi,

My name is Mark Mueller. I am an RCIA Team Catechist. We are starting a Year-Round RCIA program (formerly it just ran OCT-May). If anyone out there is running a year round program, I would be glad to see an example schedule or description of how people are brought into the Church at various times.

In short, I am searching for good ideas and examples.

Thanks, Mark 🙂
 
We have a year-round program, sort of. 🙂 I say “sort of” because we’re still a work in progress.

I’ve been our RCIA coordinator for two years so things are not yet set in stone. The first year we didn’t meet in the summer. The second year we met once a month in the summer. This year I am planning to meet all summer long. I know that there will be weeks people will miss because of vacations or whatever, but people miss classes due to illness or travel anyway.

Two reasons that I am pushing more toward a year-round program are a) the catechumenate is supposed to be one full year and October-May doesn’t meet that and b) we have multiple inquiry sessions during the year which means we have people going through the Rite of Acceptance multiple times a year. I don’t think it makes sense to have someone go through the Rite and then shut down for three months shortly afterward.

Here is a rough schedule of topics that fit into various seasons based on a workshop that I went to:

Advent and Christmas
Code: 
* Fall and redemption
* Prophets
* Incarnation
* Jesus fully divine and human
* Mary, Mother of God
* Mary, model of discipleship
* Holy Family
* Jesus' mission to all people
Lent and Easter
Code: 
* Paschal mystery
* Sin and grace
* Conversion
* Moral life
* Penance
* Prayer, fasting, almsgiving
* Baptism
* Eucharist
* Priesthood
* Jesus' resurrection and ours
* Ascencion
* Spirit
* Church's mission
* Evangelization
* God's humility/power
Ordinary Time
Code: 
* Trinity
* Eucharist
* Jesus' miracles
* Commandments
* Discipleship
* Witness to faith
* Personal and social morality
* Commandments
* Heaven and hell
* Suffering
* Sacraments and sacramental life
* Creed
* End of the world
Feast Days
Code: 
* Virtues
* God's mercy and justice
* Beatitudes
* Vocation
* Witness
* Peacemaking
* Sacrificial living
* Martyrdom
 
Mark_Mueller said:
Hi,

My name is Mark Mueller. I am an RCIA Team Catechist. We are starting a Year-Round RCIA program (formerly it just ran OCT-May). If anyone out there is running a year round program, I would be glad to see an example schedule or description of how people are brought into the Church at various times.

In short, I am searching for good ideas and examples.

Thanks, Mark 🙂
Click to expand...
Inquiry takes place year round/on-going. After their Baptism is investigated and their Marriage is investigated, and the Annulment paperwork started if necessary, and they and their Sponsor feel they are ready they move on to the next phase.

The Rite of Welcome is celebrated two or three times a year, During or just before Lent, just after Pentecost, and just before or during the season of Advent.

(If Welcome is at Lent → they are Received during Advent)
(If Welcome is at Pentecost → they can be Received either during Advent or at Lent)
(If welcome is during Advent → they are Received at Lent)

The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens takes place twice a year.
During the season of Lent and during the Advent season. The Rite of Election is celebrated the following year 13 to 17 months later they receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
 
Br. Rich, I’m curious about one thing.

You said that if they celebrate the Rite of Welcoming during Advent they’re received during Lent. Since the Easter Season seems (to me) like an ideal time to celebrate the sacraments, I’m curious if you considered that and rejected it. If so, why?
 
Wow,

Thanks for the very quick and thorough response. The topics seem to fit year round. It confirms what I was think already: topics fit to the season or feast days of the church and the Inquire, Catechumen, or Candidate move into to an ever -cont8inueing cycle.

Here wee some of the ground rules I was going mulling over as I though about how I will present this to the Our Pastor and the Team:

Year - Round RCIA – How it works: RCIA establishes an open, welcoming, and continuing presence throughout the year prepared to respond to Inquirer needs.
  1. The community extends a continuing open and personal invitation to Non-Catholics worshipping in our midst to enter into the Church through an active RCIA program. This is most effectively accomplished through the invitation being extended periodically either before of after the Liturgy of the Mass or in any other forum.
  2. Once a person asks to become a member of the Catholic Church, at the first opportunity, the person will meet with the RCIA coordinator / welcomer (need not be the specific function of the coordinator) to assess any special needs that an inquirer might have and to give them a quick understanding of how the program works.
  3. An inquirer is then asked to participate in an Inquirers-focused question and answer group that meets between the masses (or Saturday before the 5:30 mass). This group is led by a two person Inquirer’s team. The inquirer is also asked to participate in the Tuesday weekly catechesis and discussion group. The Inquirer team will also lead the inquirer small group during the weekly Catechesis discussion groups. It is the responsibility of the Inquiry team leaders to recommend to the Deacon / Pastor when they feel the inquirer is ready to move to the Rite of Welcome.
  4. Upon entering the Church as a Candidate / Catechumen, through the Rite of Welcome, each is assigned a Sponsor. The Sponsor’s role is to walk the journey of the Catechumen / Candidate and to assist with the conversion of the Catechumen or Candidate. The Sponsor is to work with the Team Catechist to highlight any questions or issues that may arise in the programmed Catechesis so these questions can be addressed as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the Sponsor is to be prepared to respond to the coordinator as to readiness of the Catechumen or the Candidate to enter into the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Sacraments of Initiation. If the sponsor of a Candidate, the sponsor must ensure that their Candidate has received the grace of forgiveness (Sacrament of Reconciliation) prior to reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.
  5. Inquirers, Catechumen and Candidates will participate together in the weekly Catechesis. Weekly Catechesis will consist of a lesson (which each person is responsible to prepare for) from the This is Our Faith book. The session will be broken out as follows:
• Welcome and administrative announcements (15 minutes).
• Weekly Prayer / Reflection (15 minutes). At times this will include time to un-pack various rites and experiences.
• Lesson Introduction / Presentation (Not to exceed 20 minjutes)
• Small Group discussion. 15 minutes Designated small group (table) discussion leaders will assist in facilitating small group discussion (not to exceed 5-6 people). These small group facilitators must come to the lesson prepared to discuss the topic. If Inquirers are present, then the Inquiry team will facilitate the discussion.
• Large Group Sharing. (15 minutes) The Presenter will then facilitate discussion amongst the small groups to stimulate other ideas and to form a sense of community across the RCIA community.
• Weekly Summary and dismissal prayer (10 minutes).
• Social Sharing. Team members are encouraged to remain after the meeting to speak with Inquirers, Catechumen, and Candidates. Also, it is a good idea to get some feed back as to whether or not the lesson objectives were met.
  1. Catechumen will participate in the Mass and Breaking Open the Word (BOW). BOW will consit of a 30 to 45 minute reflection on the Sunday Liturgy. The facilitators must be trained and should use the process of group Lectio Divina as a guide.
  2. People enter the program year round so typically one would have to remain in the Catechesis sessions for at least one full year. This includes the fully initiated who are participating in Mystagogia.
  3. Mystagogia groups will meet (for the fully initiated) once a month at similar times as the Inquirers on Sundays between the Masses or Saturday Evening before or after Mass.
  4. Sponsors in training should also participate in a monthly preparation Catechesis so that there is always a pool of trained Sponsors to answer call of the Holy Spirit for people to enter the Church.
That is wher I am now with this. Thank you for your great help and (name removed by moderator)ut.

Peace,
Mark:)
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
Br. Rich, I’m curious about one thing.

You said that if they celebrate the Rite of Welcoming during Advent they’re received during Lent. Since the Easter Season seems (to me) like an ideal time to celebrate the sacraments, I’m curious if you considered that and rejected it. If so, why?
Click to expand...
My thoughts were that we wanted them to already be part of the parish community during most of Lent and through Holy week or during most of Advent through the Christmas season. That way they could celebrate the two major Liturgical Feasts as members of the Church. With The Easter Vigil focused on the Elect and their Sacraments of Initiation.

If they (Candidates) are Received during the Easter season then they miss celebrating the greatest Christian Feast of the year with the community. In other words the boat left the dock before they could get on.
 
Mark_Mueller said:
Wow,

Thanks for the very quick and thorough response. The topics seem to fit year round. It confirms what I was think already: topics fit to the season or feast days of the church and the Inquire, Catechumen, or Candidate move into to an ever -continueing cycle.

Here wee some of the ground rules I was going mulling over as I though about how I will present this to the Our Pastor and the Team:

Year - Round RCIA – How it works: RCIA establishes an open, welcoming, and continuing presence throughout the year prepared to respond to Inquirer needs.
  1. The community extends a continuing open and personal invitation to Non-Catholics worshipping in our midst to enter into the Church through an active RCIA program. This is most effectively accomplished through the invitation being extended periodically either before of after the Liturgy of the Mass or in any other forum.
  2. Once a person asks to become a member of the Catholic Church, at the first opportunity, the person will meet with the RCIA coordinator / welcomer (need not be the specific function of the coordinator) to assess any special needs that an inquirer might have and to give them a quick understanding of how the program works, and has them fill out the necessary informational paperwork. (so that their Baptism, and Marriage situations can be assessed.)
  3. An inquirer is then asked to participate in an Inquirers-focused question and answer group that meets between the masses (or Saturday before the 5:30 mass). This group is led by a two person Inquirer’s team. (Delete) The inquirer is also asked to participate in the Tuesday weekly catechesis and discussion group. The Inquirer team will also lead the inquirer small group during the weekly Catechesis discussion groups. (not a good idea, too much too fast)
It is the responsibility of the Inquiry team leaders, Inquirer, and Sponsor to recommend to the Deacon / Pastor when they feel the inquirer is ready to move to the Rite of Welcome, or Acceptance.
  1. Upon entering the Church as a Candidate , through the Rite of Welcome, / or Catechumen through the Rite of Acceptance, (each should already be assigned a Sponsor during the Inquiry process. See #10 of the Rite) The Sponsor’s role is to walk the journey of the Catechumen / Candidate and to assist with the conversion of the Catechumen or Candidate. The Sponsor is to work with the Team Catechist to highlight any questions or issues that may arise in the programmed Catechesis so these questions can be addressed as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the Sponsor is to be prepared to respond to the coordinator as to readiness of the Catechumen or the Candidate to enter into the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Holy Communion or the Sacraments of Initiation. If the sponsor of a Candidate, the sponsor must ensure that their Candidate has received the opportunity to participate in the (Sacrament of Reconciliation) prior to reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion.
(The Catechumens would not participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil)
  1. Catechumen and Candidates will participate together in the weekly Catechesis. Weekly Catechesis will consist of a lesson (which each person is responsible to prepare for) from the This is Our Faith book. The session will be broken out as follows:
• Welcome and administrative announcements (15 minutes).
• Weekly Prayer / Reflection (15 minutes). At times this will include time to un-pack various rites and experiences.
• Lesson Introduction / Presentation (Not to exceed 20 minjutes)
• Small Group discussion. 15 minutes Designated small group (table) discussion leaders will assist in facilitating small group discussion (not to exceed 5-6 people). These small group facilitators must come to the lesson prepared to discuss the topic. Delete (If Inquirers are present, then the Inquiry team will facilitate the discussion.)
• Large Group Sharing. (15 minutes) The Presenter will then facilitate discussion amongst the small groups to stimulate other ideas and to form a sense of community across the RCIA community.
• Weekly Summary and dismissal prayer (10 minutes).
• Social Sharing. Team members are encouraged to remain after the meeting to speak with Inquirers, Catechumen, and Candidates. Also, it is a good idea to get some feed back as to whether or not the lesson objectives were met.
  1. Catechumen will participate in the Mass and Breaking Open the Word (BOW). BOW will consit of a 30 to 45 minute reflection on the Sunday Liturgy. The facilitators must be trained and should use the process of group Lectio Divina as a guide.
  2. People enter the program year round so typically one would have to remain in the Catechesis sessions for at least one full year. This includes the fully initiated who are participating in Mystagogia.
  3. Mystagogia groups will meet (for the fully initiated) once a month at similar times as the Inquirers on Sundays between the Masses or Saturday Evening before or after Mass.
  4. Sponsors in training should also participate in a monthly preparation Catechesis so that there is always a pool of trained Sponsors to answer call of the Holy Spirit for people to enter the Church.
That is wher I am now with this. Thank you for your great help and (name removed by moderator)ut.

Peace,
Mark:)
Click to expand...
(MY suggestions)
 
We use the ACM program. It contains so much, that one could not get to all of it in a year long program!
 
What is the ACM Program? We are currently using the Text, “This is Our Faith” by Michael Pennock.

Thanks,

Mark
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
The Rite of Welcome is celebrated two or three times a year, During or just before Lent, just after Pentecost, and just before or during the season of Advent.

(If Welcome is at Lent → they are Received during Advent)
(If Welcome is at Pentecost → they can be Received either during Advent or at Lent)
(If welcome is during Advent → they are Received at Lent)
Click to expand...
I was just looking at this again and have a question.

If someone has the rite of welcome during Lent of this year, do you receive them during Advent of THIS year or NEXT year? Are you looking at baptized candidates spending 6-8 months in preparation or a year-and-a-half or so?

I keep thinking in terms of about a year of instruction (as well as about a year of the liturgical cycle) but your schedule wouldn’t quite work with that.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
I was just looking at this again and have a question.

If someone has the rite of welcome during Lent of this year, do you receive them during Advent of THIS year or NEXT year? Are you looking at baptized candidates spending 6-8 months in preparation or a year-and-a-half or so?

I keep thinking in terms of about a year of instruction (as well as about a year of the liturgical cycle) but your schedule wouldn’t quite work with that.
Click to expand...
A Baptized Candidate would spend some weeks in Inquiry, and only as much time as necessary in Preparation after the Rite of Welcome, that could be 6-8 months or could be a year if they need the extra time. At least one Liturgical year applies to Catechumens.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
A Baptized Candidate would spend some weeks in Inquiry, and only as much time as necessary in Preparation after the Rite of Welcome, that could be 6-8 months or could be a year if they need the extra time. At least one Liturgical year applies to Catechumens.
Click to expand...
Here in sweden anyone who is about to convert must participate in a 2 year program even if they are baptised or not, before i was against this but later i came to see the advantages it brings.

There was a lutheran priest who wanted to convert to catholicism and he had spent 10 years of pre-catechumenate but still the bishop didnt allow him to convert until he spend at least 2 years in RCIA because of the problem that lutherans has a tendency of reverting back to lutheranism, i dont know if that is so or not.

Anyhow that unfortunatelly led to that the priest left the RCIA and instead he chosed to convert at SSPX, but that would probably have happened anyway.

Anyhow it is better for people to get a thorough understanding about the faith before they are initiated.

A very important thing that is often lost in RCIA is to make the catechumens understand that they are already a part of the church before their initiation and there should be no running gauntlet for easter vigil, that is the mission of the parishers to make them feel as a part even before their initiation to dedramatize the easter vigil service.
 
anjoh66 said:
Here in sweden anyone who is about to convert must participate in a 2 year program even if they are baptised or not, before i was against this but later i came to see the advantages it brings.

There was a lutheran priest who wanted to convert to catholicism and he had spent 10 years of pre-catechumenate but still the bishop didnt allow him to convert until he spend at least 2 years in RCIA because of the problem that lutherans has a tendency of reverting back to lutheranism, i dont know if that is so or not.

Anyhow that unfortunatelly led to that the priest left the RCIA and instead he chosed to convert at SSPX, but that would probably have happened anyway.

Anyhow it is better for people to get a thorough understanding about the faith before they are initiated.

A very important thing that is often lost in RCIA is to make the catechumens understand that they are already a part of the church before their initiation and there should be no running gauntlet for easter vigil, that is the mission of the parishers to make them feel as a part even before their initiation to dedramatize the easter vigil service.
Click to expand...
What is more important is that we **DO NOT **treat Candidates (already Baptized) as though their Baptism is not recognized, by treating them as Catechumens.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
What is more important is that we **DO NOT **treat Candidates (already Baptized) as though their Baptism is not recognized, by treating them as Catechumens.
Click to expand...
Can you write DO NOT a bit larger. This has to be made known. There are catechetical sessions that both groups can be involved in together but the baptized ARE different and they are not to be forced to follow the same process as the unbaptized. We have several rites of Full Communion a year. Whenever they are ready they are brought into the Church. We had three kids brought in the week after Easter.
 
Joannm said:
Can you write DO NOT a bit larger. This has to be made known. There are catechetical sessions that both groups can be involved in together but the baptized ARE different and they are not to be forced to follow the same process as the unbaptized. We have several rites of Full Communion a year. Whenever they are ready they are brought into the Church. We had three kids brought in the week after Easter.
Click to expand...
I do however respect the fact that the Bishops of the other posters country see the need for some additional time to insure the conversion to the Catholic faith and practice is permanent. But the distinction must also still be maintained.
 
for the first time I have enough catechists to Do the Rites Right. we started our summer program last week, until know only the adults have come year round. We tried a family program that fizzled because we did not have enough help. Now I have a catechist for the children, with several teen aides who are also preparing for sacraments, so they learn through working with the kids, as well as their own age-level class. In that class, we are in inquiry, and parents or padrinos must attend the first 12 weeks (this also covers all the parent-sponsor meeting topics they need). We realized more than half the parents speak only Spanish, so we got another volunteer to work with those parents at the same time, and children’s book is bilingual (Sadliers’ our Catholic Faith-Nuestra Fe). when they come to the catechumenate before Advent we will use Journey of Faith because it comes for all age levels, English and Spanish.

The adults now have two catechists and two sponsor-small group leaders, so we can split the candidates from the catechumens (don’t have any of the latter yet, just some very good-hearted Baptists who are some of my favorite people to teach, their bible knowledge is so excellent). We will start a separate Confirmation for Catholic Adults 3 times a year, but there will be some overlap in the class portion. In August we will be ready to start dismissal at two Masses, one English, one Spanish, with BOW for the catechumens, and the candidates will join us after Mass for the catechetical lesson.

thank you Holy Spirit, it is coming together in his time, not mine, for his purposes, not mine.

The outline and basic lesson plan I use for the RCIA catechists, to make sure I cover what has to be taught, is Making Disciples for OSV, but most of my “handouts” are from ACM, with some Journey of Faith if I am dealing with a mixed age- or language-group. I urge you to get the revised plan, as it has suggestions for a year-round or seasonal program.

USCCA picks up as mystagogy, and we have a large number of “already CAtholics” who want to join that class, labelled a “CCD for Adults”. Coupled with the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, it has grown in popularity each year, and makes a natural transition from RCIA to more advanced adult formation.

candidates can jump in anytime during the year, but those coming for baptism will have not less than a full calendar year in the catechumenate, but may have more. I have done a 180 since I started this, going from the minimalist approach to the give 'em the works theory, because I now realize people are hungry for the truth and all of the truth.

So gratified to see everyone from EAster is back for mystagogy, and will serve as sponsors for the new group OOOOOH I love my job

I have no (name removed by moderator)ut whatever on the timing of reception for baptized Christians. Under this bishop and pastor that will remain at Easter for the time being.
 
puzzleannie said:
for the first time I have enough catechists to Do the Rites Right. we started our summer program last week, until know only the adults have come year round. We tried a family program that fizzled because we did not have enough help. Now I have a catechist for the children, with several teen aides who are also preparing for sacraments, so they learn through working with the kids, as well as their own age-level class. In that class, we are in inquiry, and parents or padrinos must attend the first 12 weeks (this also covers all the parent-sponsor meeting topics they need). We realized more than half the parents speak only Spanish, so we got another volunteer to work with those parents at the same time, and children’s book is bilingual (Sadliers’ our Catholic Faith-Nuestra Fe). when they come to the catechumenate before Advent we will use Journey of Faith because it comes for all age levels, English and Spanish.

The adults now have two catechists and two sponsor-small group leaders, so we can split the candidates from the catechumens (don’t have any of the latter yet, just some very good-hearted Baptists who are some of my favorite people to teach, their bible knowledge is so excellent). We will start a separate Confirmation for Catholic Adults 3 times a year, but there will be some overlap in the class portion. In August we will be ready to start dismissal at two Masses, one English, one Spanish, with BOW for the catechumens, and the candidates will join us after Mass for the catechetical lesson.

thank you Holy Spirit, it is coming together in his time, not mine, for his purposes, not mine.

The outline and basic lesson plan I use for the RCIA catechists, to make sure I cover what has to be taught, is Making Disciples for OSV, but most of my “handouts” are from ACM, with some Journey of Faith if I am dealing with a mixed age- or language-group. I urge you to get the revised plan, as it has suggestions for a year-round or seasonal program.

USCCA picks up as mystagogy, and we have a large number of “already CAtholics” who want to join that class, labelled a “CCD for Adults”. Coupled with the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, it has grown in popularity each year, and makes a natural transition from RCIA to more advanced adult formation.

candidates can jump in anytime during the year, but those coming for baptism will have not less than a full calendar year in the catechumenate, but may have more. I have done a 180 since I started this, going from the minimalist approach to the give 'em the works theory, because I now realize people are hungry for the truth and all of the truth.

So gratified to see everyone from EAster is back for mystagogy, and will serve as sponsors for the new group OOOOOH I love my job

I have no (name removed by moderator)ut whatever on the timing of reception for baptized Christians. Under this bishop and pastor that will remain at Easter for the time being.
Click to expand...
You have done a lot on the front end, and with Catechesis, I applaud you and your team. Worry about the back end timing(Reception) in 2011!
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
What is more important is that we **DO NOT **treat Candidates (already Baptized) as though their Baptism is not recognized, by treating them as Catechumens.
Click to expand...
I think its quite clear that their baptism is recognized and they are not catechumens in the technical term.

How do you differ in treating them? Do you mean that catechumens are less worth than the candidates?

It is quite clear that there is a difference between catholic and protestant faith so the candidates need to get deep into the faith, and if they come from other denominations maybe they even need deeper study and explanation that the catechumens do.

The classes are there to teach them the catholic faith never mind if they are baptised or not. We do not have separate classes for candidates and catechumens as they actually need to get the same knowledge.
 
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