THE WONDERS OF THE LITURGY: BLESSINGS
I was privileged to attend two ordinations earlier this year, and I recall thinking how well we catholics do a good liturgy.
It is the liturgy that is often the introduction to the catholic faith for non-christians. Do we use the opportunity to its best advantage? How innovative are our liturgies?
I remember one lady in our RCIA team and the skill she had with fabric and simple props, turning a grey walled meeting room into a liturgical wonder where our faith came alive. An RCIA session always had that element of joy and discovery as we uncovered a new layer in our worship. I experienced that on Saturday with the blessing of our Altar Missals and their being sent forth with representatives from each local church in our parish cluster.
The symbols were simple: the Altar Missals impressive in their design, laid out on a low table, against the backdrop of the Altar with its bright candles. The quiet solemnity of the blessing was awesome. How different from the blessing of the Advent wreath and the lighting of the first Advent candle on Sunday. One could sense the air of expectation in the Assembly. It is that time of year again, when we are ready to ‘stay awake’. A lot is going to happen over the next four weeks of Advent.
There is the chance for further blessings and celebrations. In the extended period of the catechumenate why not have a special celebration of the Word of God.
- To give them instruction and experience in the different aspects and ways of prayer;
- To explain to them the signs, celebrations, and seasons of the liturgy;
- To prepare them gradually to enter the worship assembly of the entire community: RCIA 82
The structure of a celebration is suggested in RCIA 86-89, with an opening song, one or more readings, a brief homily and finish with a blessing. This would work well on Gaudete Sunday or during the third week of Advent.
Or how about Advent Stations of the Cross with a Blessing of Oil and anointing [see RCIA 101B – 102].
There is also the opportunity for blessing of the Christmas tree or the manger, or even someone’s home.
Perhaps this week as the English speaking churches turn to the New Translation of the Roman Missal, catechumens could have the chance to see and touch the Altar Missal and gain a sense of just how well we catholics do liturgy, as they develop a love of the liturgy and its symbols.
Being Ready, Being Wise
Reflection for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Gospel given to us this week presents a contrast between those Bridesmaids that were ready and those that were unprepared, those who were wise and those who were foolish. In this parable Jesus is saying that wisdom is very much tied up with ‘being ready’. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom suggests the same sense of readiness when it counsels ‘watch for [wisdom] early and you will have no trouble, you will find her sitting at your gates.’
The RCIA as we know is a journey of faith that ‘includes not only the periods for making inquiry and for maturing, but also the steps marking the catechumens’ progress, as they pass, so to speak, through another doorway…’ (RCIA 6). As we accompany those who are preparing to cross the threshold of faith and belonging to the community of the Catholic Church it is a great consolation to know that as we do we will find wisdom already there, sitting at our gates, present at the place of encounter and change. Wisdom is already in operation in those who are seeking God. For us too as catechists it is only with wisdom, with that sense of readiness, that we can fruitfully accompany them as they seek to enter the family of faith. As the Gospel puts it: ‘those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall…’
So what resources do we have that can help us to be ready and wise?
We are offered the wisdom of the Rite itself in which is contained and distilled the wisdom of the community which has been initiating members for centuries. As well as the Rite itself we have resources that draw on that wisdom such as those found on the RCIA Network website www.rcia.org.uk , newsletter and the events such as the study days and conferences where collective wisdom and experience can be fruitfully shared. If you haven’t yet come along to an RCIA conference why not make the next in summer 2012 your first? (RCIA Network Conference,3rd-6th July 2012 at High Leigh, Hoddesdon, Herts. Please see website for more details)
Finally this Gospel passage is a reminder that through our own life of prayer we can get in touch with the gift of wisdom given to us by the Holy Spirit. This special gift, to the extent that we are open to it, enables us to be ready for each and every situation that we may find ourselves drawn into. Perhaps in our own prayer we can reflect on how ready and wise we are or to what extent we need to grow in wisdom and readiness. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to seek the Lord’s gift of wisdom anew for our lives since, as todays first reading tells us ‘she is found by those who look for her.’
RCIA and THE ROSARY
I read recently of how every time we say the words ‘Hail Mary’ Our Lady’s heart leaps in joy. It is a lovely image and one that I like to conjure up during my day. The Hail Mary is such a simple prayer, and one that can lighten up one’s day, wherever you are. It is a great prayer for those involved in RCIA.
This week offers an easy introduction into lectionary based catechesis. On Friday we have the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. October traditionally is a month when we dedicate our prayers to the Blessed Virgin and whether we have an initial enquirer or are in the midst of the catechumenate period, this month offers an opportune way to introduce and consider a variety of facets of the catholic faith.
The ‘Hail Mary’ offers a wonderful example of a prayer of faith. It speaks of Our Lady’s faith, of her cousin Elizabeth’s faith: of enlightenment, and of our faith.
- During the 1st period of evangelisation and precatechumenate, the community ‘welcomes them into their homes, into personal conversation, and into the community gatherings’ Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ‘RCIA’ 9.1.
If inviting an enquirer into your home, why not let them see how a statue of Our Lady or picture or icon is central to the home. Show them the rosary beads, tell them about the Marian shrines. Share with them the stories of Lourdes, Fatima and Walsingham.
As the catechumen become ‘familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer ...’ RCIA 75.2
- If you have a multi-cultural community ask parishioners to share stories of Marian devotion in their country. It makes for a fascinating and lively discussion if you have someone who has a video of fiestas and processions. We do good ones here as well!
- Explore icons, statues, books for different aspects of the life of Our Lady.
- Explore the different types of prayer, of meditation, contemplation.
- Have another look at the prayers of Mass when we ask Our Lady to pray for us like the ‘I confess’.
- Use the episode when Mary is confronted by the angel Gabriel, to discuss the challenges faced on a journey of faith.
Share the experience of praying the rosary together, and let the community benefit ‘by joining the catechumens in reflecting on the value of the paschal mystery’. RCIA 4
So what are you doing in your parish this month?
Team Essentials – Resources: Catechumenate
In her blog ( 5 September 2011 A Parish begins the RCIA process) Caroline writes of the enthusiasts who are forming a parish RCIA team and the formation session offered to the team.
Resources are essential to anyone involved in RCIA, and although it may seem a bit daunting, the Rite itself is a resource that needs to be looked at time and time again. I suggest one way.
- Get a photocopy of the Introduction and have a reading group over coffee and cakes [cakes essential!].
- Have coloured marker pens, and colour code the different periods; the different roles: the community, the catechumen; the mention of liturgical actions, and the mention of catechesis.
- Look ahead to the first rite. Make a bullet point list of what has to be affirmed at that rite, for that is the way your path is directed.
- Be flexible, be imaginative.
Journals provide another valuable resource, with contributors often concentrating on a specific period or role in the RCIA
An article in the latest edition of Catechumenate* by Christine Mader offers an interesting approach to the Rite of Reception of Baptised Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church.
The author writes of how baptised Christians are included in the RCIA process alongside those unbaptised people seeking the full sacraments of initiation. This may mean a year long process that takes no account of the circumstances of the individual. So, fine, if the person is uncatechised, but what of the person who has been attending mass each Sunday with their spouse; who has fully involved themselves in parish life, praying with the community, sharing tasks of charity. Or what of the Christian who was active in their own denomination, perhaps practising a ministry.
Christine Mader considers the matter by asking 3 questions. I pick out just a few points
1. ‘Whom should we see?’
- We should see that the baptised is Christian, and so has already achieved the purpose that the RCIA process intends.
- That the baptised Christian is already in communion with the Catholic Church, although as of yet an imperfect communion.
- They may already have been fully initiated in their own church, and regularly receiving Holy Communion.
2. Why should we act?
- The author considers ‘Our experience teaches us that the status quo is inadequate’
- That both, those being received into the Catholic Church, and RCIA teams, acknowledge unease when ‘practising Christians are forced to go through a full RCIA process’ when their Christian experience doesn’t require it.
In answering the first 2 questions the author moves to 3. Who should we be? That there are new informed ways of being.
- Understand the rites. The Rite of Reception is separate from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is in Part 2, 5. Rites for Particular Circumstances.
- ‘Be ecumenically informed and sensitive’. Consider what is the validity of their own sacramental journey. Help them to discern why they feel drawn to the Catholic Church.
- Don’t plan to provide them with them more doctrinal or spiritual preparation than the average Catholic in the community already has. They shouldn’t be subjected to a heavier burden because they have made a choice to become Catholic.
- Be prepared to complete the process in less time than that of catechumens.
- ‘Be communal.’ By using what is already happening in your parish community, a varied catechesis can be given which utilises existing resources: giving a mix of groups, talks, involvement in parish activities as well as individual meetings
The author also suggests the team have a session reading the rite, exploring what it means and what is required.
- Don’t forget to look out the Resources page on this website.
- If you come across an interesting resource, do please share it via the blog.
*Mader Christine, ‘Separating the Rite of Reception from RCIA’, Catechumenate, vol 33 no 5.(2011) 20-30. Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago.
Seeking Resources
Once upon a time this was going to be an article for the Newsletter but lack of space prevented pen being put on paper or fingers to keyboard. The article is about finding resources on the web. It makes more sense to put it on the web and maybe at this time of year you may have time to follow the links and even add your own suggestions.
Rite
The complete text of the Rite is not available on the web. There are two reasons for this. The first is copyright. The second is about technology - one of the effects of the internet is that we expect everything to be available but to be available someone has to put it there. RCIA predates the common use of computers - there is no handy electronic text of the rite. So it would first need to be typed up.
All the introductions of the Rite are available on the Liturgy Office website. There is a project to include the Introductions to all the rites on the website. Even if you do not have a copy of the book you can be familiar with the Introduction. The Introductions to the revised Rites provide the theological underpinning, practical guidance and areas for adaptation.
Scripture
The Jerusalem Bible is again not available on the web for similar reasons to the Rite I expect. The New Jerusalem Bible can be found at Catholic Online. This is not a site I have explored that much- the Bible seems well done. There seem to be quite a few 'pop-ups'. I am not sure how much is based on American Catholic Culture but I did discover that A & E stood for Arts and Entertainment rather than emergency prayers!
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) will be the core text of a new published version of the Lectionary. The Oremus Bible Browser provides excellent online access. For example, you can, at the click of button, show the text with verse numbers or not - which makes it great for copying.
For some guidance about copyright and how much you can use at one time without need to seek permission see the Liturgy Office website.
One of the great, unsung, ecumenical advances of the last 10 years has been the adoption by many non-Catholic Churches of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). This is based on our Roman (or Common) Lectionary. Though the 'revised' parts means that it does use some different principles for choosing readings for the majority of readings on the majority of Sundays we are sharing in a communion of the Word. One of the consequences of this is that there is a wealth of resources on the web based on the RCL. To give just one example the Revised Common Lectionary website has not just the texts but images as well.
Two other Lectionary resources that may be useful for those who have people for whom English is not their first language. The Vienna International Religious Centre provides the readings in a variety of European languages including eastern European. The English text appears to use the Jerusalem Bible (unacknowledged). The Department of Tourism of the Spanish Bishops' Conference offers a similar service. I am uncertain what English version is used (it's not JB, NJB, RSV, NRSV or NAB).
Images
Images can be subject to copyright in the same way as text and music. It is easy to find images which are either copyright-free or where the owner gives permission for their use. Key to finding such images are Creative Commons. This is a system which allows people to show if their work can be used by others. The owner can distinguish whether or not the work should attributed to the author, that the use should be non-commercial, whether changes can be made and finally if the user should make their own work available in the same way as the original. The image at the beginning of this paragraph has a license that states that I can freely use the work and even change it if I wish but I have to attribute to the photographer. If you hover your cursor over the image you should see the title and photographer.
Creative Commons has its own search site which allows you to find images, text, video and music. It does this by using search engines such as google and checking whether what you are looking for they have a CC license. My two favourite sources for images are Fickr and Wikimedia Commons. Flickr is a photosharing site and is great for finding images that can spark the imagination. Wikimedia is better for finding classic art.
Happy searching!
Why not add good resources you have come across in the comments.
Looking around
Like all those Walking the Rite Way in August the pace might be a little gentler. As in the parish accompanying those who are continuing their journey to Easter we won't stop and say switch off your 'faith button' nobody wants to know about faith in August. We will continue on the journey and maybe the slower pace will allow us to point out things we might otherwise have missed.
Why no one should join the RCIA
One of many things I enjoy about the Team RCIA blog is the ability to express clearly and succinctly some of the issues faced by RCIA teams - even when they may not be aware there might be an issue in the first place! I particularly enjoyed the recent posting Why no one should join the RCIA as it articulated something I have been aware of for a while use of the letters 'RCIA' as a kind of fairy dust that validates everything we might do.
One of the questions the Network Executive will be reflecting on at its September meeting will how do we present RCIA to the outside world. I am sure this article will help our discussion but we would also welcome local experience as well.
development matters!
One of the great achievements in ecumenism and liturgy has been the adoption of the Revised Common Lectionary by many non-Catholic denominations. A revision of our own Roman Lectionary which in particular reviewed how the Old Testament was used there is however far more in common between the two versions than there is different. One fruit of this is that most Sundays any church that uses a Lectionary will be hearing the same Gospel being proclaimed - a communion of the Word. Another fruit is the greater number of scripture resources that become available to us.
One I came across recently is on the website of the Anglican diocese of Bath and Wells - development matters! global issues linked to the lectionary. For every Sunday there is a note on the themes and ideas in the text, and then notes on contemporary parallels, comments and questions. The themes are linked within background notes, stories, invitations to action and prayer.
If you forgot to buy your PP a Christmas present
Celebrating Initiation: a guide for priests by Paul Turner does what it says on the cover. As he says in the Introduction:
I have written this book for my brother priests. Deacons may benefit from it because they also preside for many of these rites. Lay ministers may enjoy reading over my shoulder. But I am writing primarily for priests to explain the many rites we need to know, and to help integrate them into the particular work we do as pastors, presiders, and preachers.
The book covers all of Initiation, so not only the rites of the RCIA in detail but also the Rite of Baptism of Children, Confirmation and First Communion. If you have questions about how the rites are celebrated they are probably answered here. This is not, however, a dry collection of rubrics. The purpose of the rite is explained, what needs to be done prior to celebration and then a step by step guide to the rites. Where there are options they are covered and, often, an opinion is offered about what is the author's practice and why. Paul Turner, unsurprisingly for those familiar with his other books, saves his strongest opinions for the 'combined rites' — the provision in the US rites for common rites for the unbaptised and baptised. He is neither convinced that they work or are a good idea from both a theological and liturgical point of view. He does offer a commentary on these rites which is drawn from personal experience.
In some ways this book is a sign of that inability, one sometimes comes across, for those who are responsible for presiding at the rites to take responsibility for their part in the rite — this can mean, as an extreme, not even being aware of the ritual book. Paul Turner provides a good travel guide but you still need to get out the map, and look at the rite, and then actually walk the streets, and celebrate the rite.
One small criticism is that this is not a book for bishops. Given its comprehensive coverage it is a pity that the Rite of Election is not included.
It may be helpful to give an overview of a section to show what is offered. Even if you are one of those who is reading over the author's shoulder. In the sections on the Presentations there is first a historical and theological overview, then a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of celebrating the Presentation during or before Lent and what it means to present something which is already known. There are ideas about how and when to celebrate the liturgies within the life of the parish; comments on the different options for the readings. Turner offers an interesting idea for celebrating the liturgy (which would be on a weekday) of rather than inviting the elect to come forward he suggest inviting the faithful to come onto the sanctuary to recite the creed to the elect who remain in their places. There is a strong comment on the use of printed texts:
The liturgy does not ask you to get a nicely framed parchment of the creed inscribed in calligraphy … Following the ancient tradition, the creed is not something you write down. It is not something you pass from hand to hand. You pass it from mouth to ear, and from heart to heart. It is part of a Christian's being, not an accessory on the wall of one's spiritual life.
Celebrating Initiation is published by World Library Publications which is distributed in the UK by Decani.
A useful resource
The Miracle Maker is an animated film produced for the Jubilee Year 2000 which tells the story of Jesus. It generally uses the gospel of Luke as the source for its narrative – but it hangs loosely to the source, and treats it somewhat creatively. This is most noticeable in its development of the character of Tamar, the daughter of Jairus. It's easily available from most DVD stores, or of course from Amazon. or Play.
It was well-received by faith communities: A pretty typical review follows:
In The Miracle Maker, the film’s makers have a small miracle of their own: a simple, modest retelling of the gospel story of the ministry and passion of Christ that does little more than present the bare events of the gospel narratives, without adornment or invention, without idiosyncratic “explanations” or editorial spin, without elaborations for the sake of amusement or excitement.
It’s so straightforward, it’s practically revolutionary. Adapting a story for the screen substantially as it was written is a lost art nowadays. It’s easy to see why, in a way; storytellers are just naturally attracted to projects to which they feel they have some creative contribution to make; some special angle or insight to offer.
http://artsandfaith.com/t100/2005/entry.php?film=52
You might wonder about the claim that there is little adornment or invention – remember Tamar – but she operates more as a narrative device to help the viewer engage with the story of Jesus than a distraction or dumbing down.
The Miracle Worker is a rather beautiful creation – most of the narrative shown through stop-go animation; but others through painted cell work. And it is an engaging presentation – with much of the credit for this going to the somewhat stellar cast, led by Ralph Fiennes as Jesus.
We’ve been using it in our parish over the past weeks – a ten minute section as a time, as a way of familiarising the group with the outline of the story of Jesus, and as a ‘safe’ way of giving them matter for discussion reflection. Last year we had a very quiet group who rather resisted discussion. It’s a different group this year but there’s much discussion and I think the film is to credit for that.<
I’d recommend the film as a most useful aid for first evangelisation, for the pre-catechumenal time. And I am happy to share below the discussion sheets we used to to give you an indication of the sort of conversation starters we’ve used.
Time for a Story
The Summer holidays, or any holiday is a time to catch up on reading . If you have time try Paul Turner's When Other Christians Become Catholic. It is a must when considering how we should be planning our catechumenate.
Turner not only explores the ritual text, but puts the practice of receiving others into full communion with the catholic church into our 21st century context, reminding us that the rite is what it says, about being "received": it is not about being 'forgiven or reconciled'. We have moved on from the early church needing a route, by which those guilty of heresy or apostacy, could renounce their beliefs and return to the fold. The process and rites that applied to such a situation are hardly applicable to those christians who knock on our parish doors today.
While restoring the RCIA, Vatican 2 also looked at providing an appropriate means that would enable other christians to come into full communion with the catholic church, in a way that would not make too burdensome, Turner shows how we have in a way compromised the rite, when we combine the rite of receiving baptised christians into the catholic church with the rite of initiating unbaptised catechumens.
What becomes clear, reading Turner, if you hadn't already felt it so, is that there was no intention to make is so easy for catechists, that those already baptised would be added to the catechumens, so that all progressed the same route, using the same rites.
From such a background there are some surprising but reassuring insights, for Turner says the rite was intended for a single candidate. How many of us worry when we only have person forward? Turner refers to such a situation, which calls for a 'simple ceremony with a profound meaning'. Looking at it from the opposite perspective, what does this say to us, when we have a large number of candidates, generally outnumbering the catechumens in combined rite? Should we immediately be thinking of spreading out our rites of reception throughout the liturgical year, so as to help that meaning come out?
For Turner the Rite of Reception happens within a Sunday mass, at any time of the year, any time that is, but at the easter vigil. Why not read his book and see if you think what he says makes sense . Will it influence your future planning of the RCIA process?
Sue