Choosing Materials to Support

Catechesis in the RCIA processCatechesis in the RCIA process

Parish as “school of discipleship” Parish as “school of discipleship”

• What does the Church hope for from • What does the Church hope for from

catechesis in the RCIA process?

• What are catechumens asking for from the • What are catechumens asking for from the

learning process?

• How do we determine which materials will • How do we determine which materials will

provide the needed teaching and establish a

lifelong pattern of growing in the knowledge, lifelong pattern of growing in the knowledge,

wisdom and practice of Catholic discipleship?

“I CAME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE

AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL.” AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL.”

John 10:10b

What does the Church hope for from What does the Church hope for from

catechesis in the RCIA process? catechesis in the RCIA process?

“The initiation of catechumens is a gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful. By joining takes place within the community of the faithful. By joining the catechumens in reflecting on the value of the paschal mystery and by renewing their own conversion, the faithful provide an example that will help the catechumens to obey provide an example that will help the catechumens to obey the Holy Spirit more generously. The rite of initiation is suited to a spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place.”

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, #4-5

Fundamental characteristics of

initiatory catechesisinitiatory catechesis• Comprehensive and systematic

formation in the faith,“The definitive aim of all catechesis is to put people not formation in the faith,

• Apprenticeship into the entire Christian life,

• Basic and essential formation centered on what constitutes the

catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” General Directory for Catechesis, #80

• Basic and essential formation centered on what constitutes the nucleus of Christian experience ~ it lays the foundation of the spiritual edifice of the Christian, nurtures the roots of his faith life,

for Catechesis, #80

spiritual edifice of the Christian, nurtures the roots of his faith life, and enables him to receive more solid nourishment in the ordinary life of the Christian community.life of the Christian community.

General Directory for Catechesis, #67

Principles for Catechesis

from the Baptismal Catechumenatefrom the Baptismal Catechumenate

• Catechesis focuses on conversion as a lifelong process • Catechesis focuses on conversion as a lifelong process

• Catechesis respects and supports individuals’ faith journeys

• Catechesis is grounded in an appreciation of the Word • Catechesis is grounded in an appreciation of the Word of God; it presents an appreciation of the mysteries of faith and acquaintance with dogmas

• Catechesis involves and is nurtured within and by the • Catechesis involves and is nurtured within and by the community of faith

• Catechesis leads to liturgical and sacramental life and highlights liturgical signs and symbols

• Catechesis leads to liturgical and sacramental life and highlights liturgical signs and symbols

• Catechesis is directed towards personal apostolic witness and an awareness of the mission of the Churchwitness and an awareness of the mission of the Church

Six Content Areas of Faith Formation (National Directory for Catechesis,Chapter 3 and 7) (National Directory for Catechesis,Chapter 3 and 7)

• Knowledge of the Faith • Teaching to Pray (see CCC• Knowledge of the Faith(see CCC # 26-1065; GDC # 84-85,87; OHWB #88-90,91; NDC

p 60,104)

• Teaching to Pray (see CCC

#2558-2865; GDC # 84-85,87; OHWB #88-90,94; NDC p 61, 111-13,103)

• Liturgical Life (see CCC

#1066-1690; GDC # 84-85,87; OHWB #88-90,92; NDC p 60,

• Communal Life (see GDC

# 84, 86-87; OHWB #88-90,95; NDC p 60-63, 254)OHWB #88-90,92; NDC p 60,

Chapter 5)

• Moral Formation (see

CCC #1691-2557; GDC # 84-

90,95; NDC p 60-63, 254)

• Missionary Spirit (see GDC

nos. 84, 86-87; OHWB #88-90,96; NDC p 62, 63-66)CCC #1691-2557; GDC # 84-

85,87; OHWB #88-90,93; NDC

p 61, Chapter 6)

NDC p 62, 63-66)

Considerations before choosing

materialsmaterials

How• Settings

How

What

• Settings

• Time

• Techniques

• Materials

• Knowledge

What

Why

• Knowledge

• Attitudes

• Practices

• Building on God's grace

• Divine PedagogyWhy

Who

• Divine Pedagogy

• Knowledge of & Intimacy and Communion with Christ

• Jesus Christ

• Learners

• Community of FaithWho • Community of Faith

• Catechists

• See handout

WhyWho

What

Why

What

How

Catechetical Aspects of the Rite of

Christian Initiation of AdultsChristian Initiation of Adults

• See handout• See handout

What are inquirers and What are inquirers and

catechumens asking for from the

learning process? learning process?

GROUP RESPONSES

Precatechumenate – Inquirers’ InterestsPrecatechumenate – Inquirers’ Interests

• Unity within the family through religion as a common groundground

• Questions they want answered – Curious; about the Catholic Church, about the truth(often even before contact the Church)the Church)

• Step toward Marriage – initiation is secondary to the primary goal of a getting married in the Catholic Churchprimary goal of a getting married in the Catholic Church

• Who is God and how do I connect – Relationship with God

• Spiritual search for “home”

• Craving something and now aching for something for self• Craving something and now aching for something for self

• Sense of community – want to belong

GROUP RESPONSES

Catechumens’ InterestsCatechumens’ Interests

• Understand Scripture – read, Bible• Understand Scripture – read, Bible

• How to pray

• Catholic language – words, gestures, behaviors, • Catholic language – words, gestures, behaviors, practices

• Meaning dogmas/doctrines• Meaning dogmas/doctrines

• Catholic world view/moral formation

• Relationship with others in assembly –• Relationship with others in assembly –sponsor/catechumen

• Examples of living faith•

How do we determine which How do we determine which

materials will provide the needed materials will provide the needed

teaching and establish a lifelong

pattern of growing in the pattern of growing in the

knowledge, wisdom and practice of

Catholic discipleship? Catholic discipleship?

WhyWho

What

Why

What

How

Resource SamplesResource Samples

Bibliography will be posted on the

RCIA Network blog