Equipping All the Faithful:

Clergy and the Laity

…Baptism is the

sacrament by which

its recipients are

incorporated into

the Church and are

built up together in

the Spirit into a

house where God

lives, into a holy

nations and a royal

priesthood. (intro 4)

Initiation Ministry is at the heart of the Church’s life:

the making of Christ’s disciples for

Christ’s transforming mission in the world.

“Go make of all disciples:”

We welcome your command;

“Lo, I am with you always:”

We take your guiding hand.

The task looms large before us–

We follow without fear.

In heav’n and earth your power

Shall bring God’s kingdom here.

• Initiation Ministry is at the heart of the Church’s life:

the making of Christ’s disciples for

Christ’s transforming mission in the world.

• Initiation is the responsibility of all the baptized

•Ministerial leaders enable the community to fulfill

its responsibilties to make new Christians

• Image of apprenticeship, thus “mentor”

• Experience has shown team ministry to be

essential

• Scripture-based Catechesis… the Lectionary as a guide.

The Faith of the Church is proclaimed and shared.

Understanding is evidenced.

• The community ministers to catechumens and candidates

through its experience of the Liturgy of the Word

• The priest ministers especially through presiding attentively

at Liturgy of the Word and especially through the homily

• The catechist and other ministers in the catechesis that flows

from the word (Scripture and Tradition)

• Prayer and Liturgy and the Rites are integral elements of

formation– Homilies are important! Rituals are celebrated

throughout this period. Use of the Rites, conversion is

evidenced.

• The community’s celebration of daily prayer, Sunday

Eucharist, and the major liturgical seasons and feasts

• The liturgies of initiation process

• Mystagogical reflection on these liturgical experiences to

draw out and more deeply implant the teaching and

formation they offer the catechumens and candidates

• Catechumenal community connects with the larger

community– sharing the traditions and customs and life of

the parish. Membership/relationship is evidenced.

• The guiding image is of mentoring the newcomers in a way

of life

• Parish leaders and others invite newcomers simply to

participate in as many parish activities and experiences as

possible

• The only aspect of parish life the catechumens cannot fully

share is the sacraments

• Service and involvement in the parish and community

develop. Witnessing with the community and within the

community. Commitment is evidenced.

• Parish leaders and others mentor them in charity and justice

ministries of the community

• They are given appropriate experiences of witness within

the community and beyond, with good mentoring that

includes opportunities for them to do the same

In this way, all the ministries and

activities of the parish become the

means of forming these newcomers

in the way of life of Christ’s

disciples.

• How do we get the

parish excited?

• Summer months, what

can do we do?

• Best way to catechecize

the catechumens vs. the

candidates

• What to do with

adolescents?

• Importance of sharing

our story vs. education

• What do we do when a

deaf person inquires

into our community?

• How can we assist the

assembly to unpack

their experience as

well?

• If the whole community

is to support, how do

we get the parish to do

this?

• How do we integrate

inquirers and

candidates into a year-

round process?

• How do we incorporate

families into the

process?

• How can we keep

Sunday as the Lord’s

Day?

• Flexibility vs.

Methodology

• How do you get people

to come to the Church/

RCIA?

• How do you get team

members?