welcome. and implications for all sacramental initiation with children with rita burns senseman
TRANSCRIPT
RCIA with Children
WelcomeRCIA with ChildrenAnd Implications for All Sacramental Initiation with Children
With Rita Burns Senseman
What we will do today:Explore RCIA and name 5 guiding principlesRCIA, Part II, Chapter 1, Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical AgeForm of Part I of RCIASeekers on a journey of conversionParentsCompanionsLiturgical catechesisSecond part of our hourDraw implications for all sacramental initiation with children in our parishes
Do mystagogical catechesisBaptismal catechumenate as modelEmphasize the unity of sacraments of initiation Lets begin
RCIA, Part II, Chp. 1, no. 252This form of the rite of Christian initiation is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age.
They seek initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative.
Principle 1 Form of RCIA Part One A form of Part 1 - the norm
Part 1, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Part II, Rites for Particular CircumstancesChapter 1, Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical AgePrinciple 2 They seek the Living God.
A spiritual journey of conversion The Christian initiation of these children requires a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed
No. 253See Part 1, nos., 1, 5Principle 3 Parents on journey
Formation depends on
the influence of their parents (no. 254).Parental involvementas much help and example as possible(no. 254.2)Participate in formation sessionsIn preparation session for the ritesIn mystagogical reflections after ritesGive witness during the ritesBe involved in discernmentBe primary catechist at home
When parents are not involved..Sponsor (no. 260) if they cannot comeplace should be taken by sponsors
Sponsoring family
Principle 4 Companions on journey The childrens progress in the formation they receive depends on the help and example of the companions and on the influence of their parents. Both these factors should be taken into account.No. 254
Who are the companions?a group of children of the same age who are already baptized and are preparing for confirmation and eucharist, their initiation progresses gradually and within this supportive setting of this group of companions.No. 254.1Involving companionsSponsoring families with children of similar agesCompanions participate in catechumenal sessions (see no. 255)Catechumens participate in some religious education, youth ministry (National Statutes, no. 19)Give witness at the ritesPrinciple 5 - Primacy of liturgical ritesAs with adults, their initiation is marked by several steps, the liturgical rites of acceptance in to the order of catechumensthe optional rite of electionpenitential rites or scrutiniesand the celebration of the sacraments of initiationcorresponding to the periods of adult initiation are the periods of the childrens catechetical formation that lead up to and follow the steps of the initiation (no. 253).PrecatechumenateCatechumenatePurification & EnlightenmentMystagogyLiturgical Catechesis Parents, companions, sponsors accompany children on the journeyThe periods of formationEvangelization and PrecatechumenateCatechumenatePurification and EnlightenmentMystagogy The Mazer FamilyDad - lifelong CatholicMom unchurchedAustin 5th gradeMaddie 2nd gradeCiera 5 years Evangelization and PrecatechumenateDiscern evangelization needs of children & family to determine length of this period
MazersPrecatechumenate group (no. 255)Maddie some 2nd grade rel edCiera preschool rel edAustin precatechumenate groupPrecatechumenate SessionsIntergenerationalSponsoring families attendCompanions attendSome children may also attend religious edSome children need more evangelizationExtended over several years (no. 253)
PrecatechumenateCatechumenatePurification & EnlightenmentMystagogyLiturgical CatechesisPeriod of CatechumenateDismissal from 9:00 massExtended catechetical session after massParents joinCompanions and sponsorsSome weeks do social, prayer, service (nos. 75.2, 75.3, 75.4)Minor rites (nos. 81-105)BlessingsExorcismAnointing
Rite of ElectionDiscernment with children prior to electionParents, sponsors, catechists, pastor
Rite of Sending
Cathedral with adults
Rite of Election in Part II, Chp. 1Nos. 277-290Period of Purification and EnlightenmentLiturgical catechesis (no. 138)
Preparation for scrutinies and presentations
Celebration of scrutinies and presentationsPenitential Rite (Scrutiny) for children See nos. 291ffMystagogical reflection on scrutinies and presentations
Preparation Rites on Holy Saturday
Sacraments of Initiation at Easter Vigil
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
RCIA is very clear..Children of catechetical age are to receive baptism, confirmation and eucharist at same celebration.
See nos. 206, 215, 256, 304, 308.
National Statutes, 13-19.
Code of Canon Law; canons 842, 852, 866, 883.
Period of Mystagogy A period of postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogy should be provided to assist the young neophytes and their companions who have completed their Christian initiation. The period can be arranged by anadaptation of the guidelines given for adults No. 330Implications for All Sacramental Initiation with Children Implication 1- Do mystagogical catechesis Helps child and parents understand their participation in paschal mystery
Begins with personal experience of the sacrament Unpacks the experience
Part of larger process of liturgical catechesisImplication 1.A.Do liturgical catechesis Preparation for the rite
Celebration of the (sacramental) rite
Reflection after the rite (mystagogy)Calls for response and leads to mission
Do this process with all sacraments.
Implication 1.B.Catechist training for liturgical catechesis Catechists need better training in the liturgy and liturgical catechesis
See no. 30 of General Directory for Catechesis Implication 2- Baptismal catechumenate is modelGeneral Directory for Catechesis
is the model of the [Churchs] catechizing activity
some elements of the baptismal catechumenate are now considered as the source of inspiration for post-baptismal catechesis.No. 91Sacramental catechesis wouldHave a more gradual character (GDC, #91)DiscernmentJourney of conversion Rather than grade level
Involve entire Christian community(GDC,#91)Whole community liturgical catechesis A time for the community todeepen their grasp of the paschal mystery (no. 244)
Implication 3 Unity of Sacraments of Initiation Emphasize the unity of sacraments of initiation as far as possibleDiminish fragmentation in pastoral praxisInfant baptismPenance and First CommunionConfirmationRCIA with children and adultIncorporate children into Christ through celebration of paschal mystery
SummaryRCIA With ChildrenImplications For All SacramentsForm of the RCIA, Part I
Seekers on journey of conversion
Parents
Companions
Liturgical rites and liturgical catechesis are constitutive Do mystagogical catechesisDo liturgical catechesisTrain catechists
Baptismal catechumenate is model
Emphasize unity of sacraments of initiation Life in Christ through paschal mystery Questions and Answers
Rita Burns SensemanA Childs Journey: The Christian Initiation of ChildrenWhen You are an RCIA SponsorWhen Your Child Becomes CatholicAll from St. Anthony Messenger Press
Anointed in the SpiritConfirmation preparation programs for middle school and high school from St. Marys Press
Celebrating the Minor Rites with Children Catechumenate, November, 2008
Also coming Fall 2011From Rita and St. Anthony Messenger Press
Catechumenate Session Plans for children and families
To includeDismissal Catechesis for every Sunday Extended Catechetical SessionsIntergenerational Sessions, adaptable for Children only
RCIA with ChildrenAnd Implications for All Sacramental Initiation with Children
With Rita Burns Senseman
Follow up regarding this Webinareach participant has receive via email
Instructions on how to order the CD of this webinar
The latest NA Forum calendar of Institutes and Conferences
(Both are also available on www.naforum.org)
45Upcoming Opportunities with attention to RCIA and childrenBEGINNINGS PLUS INSTITUTEJune 22-25, 2011, Diocese of Saginaw (MI)with focus on adults & childrenJuly 28-31, 2011, Diocese of St. Augustine (FL)with focus on adults & children
CHILDREN AND CHRISTIAN INITIATIONMarch 29-30, 2011, Diocese of Trenton (NJ)June 9-10, 2011, Ascension Parish, Oak Park IL (Archd. of Chicago)August 12-13, 2011, Archdiocese of Washington (DC)
And more webinars to come! www.NAForum.orgNorth American Forum on the Catechumenatewww.NAForum.org(202) [email protected]
Executive Director: Jim [email protected]
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