RCIA workshop: faith is a process not a program

by Ann Przybilla, director

Office of Worship

In June at the Church of St. Catherine in Redwood Falls, parish teams and pastoral leaders took part in a conference titled “Vision of Initiation Ministry for RCIA Parish Teams.” Approximately 40 team members participated in the two day training session. Pastoral leaders took part in an afternoon presentation which covered theological, catechetical, ritual and pastoral aspects of RCIA ministry.

Workshop presenters were Sr. Mariam Malone and Fr. Tim Piasecki from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, an international network of pastoral ministers, liturgists, catechists, and theologians committed to the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

The workshop focused on the need to view initiation into the Catholic faith as a process that, for some, takes many years depending on the individual’s experience of faith.

Rather than a program that begins in the fall and ends at the Easter Vigil, parishes are encouraged to provide the means to constantly evangelize and welcome new members into the catechetical program at anytime. The role of the community in engaging new members, leading them to deeper faith, and maintaining their participation in the community after initiation was also discussed.

For further information about RCIA, contact the diocesan Office of Worship, phone:(507) 359-2966; email: aprzybilla@dnu.org or speak to your parish pastoral leader.