RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

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RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

• The Role of the Catechist

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Role of the Catechist

• Facilitator not teacher
• Depth of content depends on period of the process
  you are in
• Conversion by Conversation
• Encourage sharing of stories
• Connect personal stories to the story of
  Salvation

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Catechist in Precatechumenate

• Build on what inquirers already know
• Listen for the unasked questions
• Ie candidate ask about limbo, answer but also ask
  what sparked that particular question
• Use open ended questions
• Have them discuss in pairs or at most groups of
  three

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Catechist in Catechumenate

• Requires more preparation going deeper into
  faith traditions
• Read scriptures commentaries
• Identify the faith topics that relate to readings
• Be aware of needs of candidates
• Balance imparting knowledge with exploring what
  already know on a deeper level

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Catechist in Catechumenate

• Questions you need to ask yourself
• What do I want to highlight as important about
  this weeks topic?
• What resources can I use to deepen my knowledge
  of the topic?
• How do I want the session to flow?
• Prayer
• Music
• Discussion time vs. journaling time

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Catechist in Dismissal

• Discuss the readings and homily
• Connect what they have just heard to what they
  are living
• Bring to team any thing that may need
  clarification during weekly sessions

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Catechist in Purification Enlightenment

• Retreat facilitator
• Help establish a prayerful atmosphere
• Affirm responses of the candidates
• Listen
• Respect

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Catechist in Mystagogia

• Similar to the catechist of precatechumenate
  period
• Explore even deeper into topics
• Connect life to the liturgy
• How did the priests homily affect you this week?
• How are you viewing life differently because of
  Easter experience?

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On a final note

• Pray!!!!!