YOUR PARISH IS THE CURRICULUM

A TeamRCIA Webinar Page 1

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The way we teach reveals our priorities.

Do we value our structures, agenda, and control more than we trust the Spirit?

Are we initiating people into the RCIA, or into the body of Christ?

1. Why the way we form catechumens and candidates matters

2. What is the way of formation in the RCIA? The RCIA doesn’t merely change a few things; it is a unified vision of the Church

It requires a community of lively faith in Jesus Christ

The formal lessons we prepare for RCIA is but

one part of the entire curriculum for becoming

disciples. The entire life of your parish is your

RCIA curriculum.

If this is true, then your job as RCIA team

members is to pay as much attention to what the

parish is “teaching” your catechumens and

candidates as you give to your RCIA sessions.

“The catechesis, as a component of the process of evangelization, needs to go beyond the simple realm of scholastics, in order to educate believers, beginning with children, to encounter Christ, living and working in his Church. It is the encounter with Him that gives rise to the desire to know him better and thus to follow Him to become his disciples.”

—Pope Francis, plenary address on new evangelization (May 29, 2015)

“When…various elements of parish life are weak or lacking, formal programs for adults typically do not flourish; when they are vibrant and strong, they create an overall climate of active participation and living faith that can only benefit the parish’s intentional formation efforts with adults….Thus, while the parish may

have an adult faith formation program, it is no less true that the parish is an adult faith formation program.”

—United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us” #121

WORD COMMUNITY WORSHIP WITNESS

first Christians Shared stories of Christ and teachings of the apostles

Spent time with their companions in faith

Participated in rituals and prayers, both public and private

Showed their love for those in need

RCIA #75 Gradual, complete catechesis that:

leads to acquaintance with doctrine

and a profound sense of mystery of salvation

Led by example of community learn to:

depend on God

hope in Christ

follow the Spirit

love neighbor

sacrifice self

bear suffering joyfully

Nourished by the Church:

participate in Church’s life of prayer

Share their joy and spiritual experiences from prayer

Learn to work with the faithful to:

spread the Gospel

build up the Church

witness and profess their faith by their lives

A TeamRCIA Webinar Page 2

Copyright © 2018, TeamRCIA. All rights reserved. TeamRCIA.com.

4. What would happen to our communities if we transformed the way we make disciples ?

15 online training videos

Full transcripts ready to print

Audio files to listen anywhere

Bonus handouts and material

All online and easy to access

beginning June 1

Work at your own pace

All available 24/7 for one year

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Deepen your learning

Register at TeamRCIA.com/course

YOUR PARISH IS THE CURRICULUM

3. How to make your parish the curriculum

Mystagogical Reflection

How to make the parish the curriculum

1. Assess needs (see Seek the Living God, Nick Wagner) - quarterly and as needed

2. Look at your parish events - monthly

3. Send them to events - weekly or as their schedule allows (Sunday Mass is always included)

4. Do mystagogy, go deeper - once a month as a group, anytime informally

5. Repeat

WORD COMMUNITY WORSHIP WITNESS

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Houston, Texas

Bible study in Spanish

Parish mission gatherings

Catechetical audio recording of the week

Catechetical discussion on the relics of Saint Maria Goretti; the parish altar contains her relics

Prayer intentions for those in the military

Knights of Columbus tamale sale

Annual parish garage sale

Women’s ACTS Retreat

Men’s group for those living with addiction

Sunday Mass

Daily Mass

Charismatic prayer

Summer choir for Mass

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Family Holy Hour in Spanish

Night offices of the Sacred Heart

Candlelight procession with the image of Our Lady of Fatima

Archdiocesan youth conference

Helping Hands Ministry assisting families with pre-planning funerals

Parish eldercare ministry

Your parish