As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of people.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him. (Mark 1:14-20 - Gospel of the 3rd Sunday Year B)

This moment of “acceptance” takes place on the shore, not in a church. Jesus leads it with his own words that challenge and expand the vision of all four men: use your skills and experience to pull drowning people from the sea of chaos and destruction... Follow me! The word penetrates the mundane reality (sternly overcast by the arrest of John) with a promise of joy and fulfilment – a true presentation of the Good News. And close friends and family are quietly present to witness the life changing commitment of these four men to accept the gospel in the person of Jesus. By doing that, they place themselves under the sign of the cross too.

We know nothing about the brothers’ period of “precatechumenate” from this Gospel. Had they ever encountered Jesus before he called them? The Gospel of John suggests so[1]. Had they listened to his call to repentance and faith? Possibly only to John's. However, their names are now well “registered” (Simon, Andrew, James and John) as part of the Good News – as are the names of catechumens after the rite of acceptance[2]. From now on they are all part of the household of Christ[3]. Now, when they made a public and decisive step of leaving everything and following Jesus, the disciples are embarking on their own period of “catechumenate”. A period of being with and echoing the Word made flesh deep in their being, and of mirroring Jesus’ attitudes and actions as closely as the Spirit makes possible.

How do we know when people are ready to move to the catechumenate? We need to look just as Jesus did. The time is ready when they demonstrate stirrings of faith and repentance, the beginnings of spiritual life based on prayer, and a growing sense of community and the church[4]. We need those “outward indications”[5] of people’s dispositions because they demonstrate a subtle process of change…and no one who has met God face to face remains unchanged! Nor should we...

All of the above scenes may be very familiar to our candidates and catechumens, but a trip to the crib: perhaps to host a session, singly or in a group, offers an imaginative form of catechesis as an opportunity to open up the Word of God, and could finish with a shortened celebration of the word [RCIA 81-82 ] 

It offers a suitable time to allow the catechumen to share their journey, what messages and insights they have experienced, how straight  has their path been, and what form guidance  in prayer and community support may perhaps take in future weeks and months.

For the team: catechists and sponsors, it is useful to re-assess how the journey is progressing with an eye to  how far the prerequisites for  taking the first step of acceptance into the order of catechumens has been accomplished. Perhaps explore RCIA 42 as part of a team meeting, for there is always the need to constantly evaluate and assess the 'candidate's motives and dispositions' [RCIA 43], just as there is the need to discern  the state of readiness of the catechumen for the Rite of Election.

Above all, have fun, for this is the season of joy and happiness, and a great time to involve the whole parish community, in  supporting the candidates and catechumens.

It is a time of reflecting on the year which as passed and looking forward to the year to come.

We might also reflect on the people we have encountered this year and those we have shared special times with…family, friends, parish communities, colleagues and our RCIA groups.

In all of the events of the past year some may have been well ordered and structured, others may have been the product of chaos! Sometimes feel similar to the chaos of the universe; and in that chaos look at what was created.

Our RCIA groups may occasionally feel a bit chaotic and messy….people come and go…teams prepare and share their faith…during this time of enquiry, or catechumenate, groups are getting to know each other and stories are shared.  It is in these stories that we often recognise the messiness or untidiness of people’s faith experience.  The process of the RCIA welcomes this wonderful muddle of faith journeys, experiences and responses. It is robust enough to manage in this creative chaos.

All the early prayers in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumen refer to the God of Creation and Christ as our guide.  Advent is that time when we can recall both the gift of Creation and the gift of Christ coming into our world.  Christ has always been present in Creation: in the chaos, in the stable, in our untidy humanity and in our future.

The Rite recognises that people have probably had a variety of chaotic and creative moments where God had touched their lives.  One of the Intercessions mentions: ‘These catechumens, who are our bothers and sisters, have already travelled a long road.  We rejoice with them in the gentle guidance of God who has brought them to this day.  Let us pray that they may press onwards, until they come to share fully in our way of life.’    The sentiment in the prayer that they may press onwards seems to indicate that there are times of questioning, possible confusion and discernment along the way.

This Advent let us travel this road together, even when it gets very busy, cluttered and congested.  Let us celebrate the moments of chaos which brought creation into being.  Let us wonder at this Christ child who was anticipated in the words of prophets and who joins us in the untidiness of our lives.  Let us pray that as people press onwards we stand beside them to rejoice in God’s creative activity in their lives.

God is deciding to take over from the shepherds of Israel. Stepping in because of their negligence and greed, he is taking over his own flock. He is going to be vigilant, keeping a careful watch. No wonder we celebrate the Easter Vigil, the mother of all vigils, as a blueprint of this heartfelt involvement. To have all sheep in view requires lots of alertness and conscious movement, but most of all, one’s compassionate interest. Here we can stop and ask ourselves: how much am I really interested in the people in my RCIA group beyond the meetings? And how well do I keep all of them in view?

The beautiful image of a shepherd standing in the middle of his flock so as to see all is next. There is a certain weight and gravity about it. This is perhaps something we constantly need to learn to do, as well as to recognise and point out. In other words, we need to be flexible and constantly move with the moving flock so as to keep this “middle ground” of neutrality, good perspective and clear vision. Yet we also need to learn to recognise and bring to people’s consciousness the Good Shepherd who is always standing attentively in our midst, wherever we are on our journey. Whether we know it or not, Christ is always this reference point from our birth to death – and beyond. So the next question can be: where do I stand, and where is the place of Christ in the RCIA process that I lead?

And then comes the rescuing. Of course, God does all of it – but often by using our own lives, gifts and resources. Interestingly, the sheep are scattered only when the conditions spell out poor vision: in the mist and darkness. Baptism is the sacrament of illumination par exellence. Yet even on the way to it, the light of Christ often comes through the fellow pilgrims and dispels the power of darkness. Just like our candles do at Easter Vigil when they are lit - first from the Paschal candle, but also from one another. So how do I encourage, respect and foster everyone’s “glow”?

The provision of rest comes next. Pointing out where to rest is God’s prerogative – it is the Lord who speaks – but we can assist those sacred moments of rejuvenation by taking prayer and liturgy seriously. So seriously that it becomes an occasion of authentic peace, childlike wonder or intimate delight. How can we make prayer become a real stepping stone to a life lived to the full?

And then comes the searching, bringing back, bandaging, strengthening, watching over… Notice that each activity matches the need perfectly: the shepherd does not bandage healthy animals! So what are the needs of each individual in my flock? And do I respond to them appropriately? And finally, do I really watch over the “fat and healthy” stock as well? Or do I assume that there is no risk of injury on the way just because they always seem fine?

Let’s learn all those shepherding skills from the Good Shepherd whose loving gaze has been resting on us, and on the people in our care, all our lives.

The presence of the children has also given the assembly some thought. We take pride in the place these children will take in our community. We acknowledge that somehow their presence has enriched our own experience of participating in the mass. We each learn from each other.

Candidates and catechumens also enrich the community in which they grow and settle. They too can benefit from our example,  of being invited along to  see the church in which we worship. A meditative walk through the church with someone (sponsor) to answer questions, offers a good introduction. Follow up with attending mass with their sponsor or RCIA catechists or their own family. As soon as they are catechumens, let the rest of the church know that these are your catechumens, so the whole community can be ready to help and support them.

• All Saints day offers a great opportunity  for prayer, 
• stories and catechesis about the catholic church,
• the Church Fathers, our tradition and our  Saints.

One year we knew of no potential enquirers but just as we were about to go home, one by one, people came in and sat down. It was rather like the arrival of the dwarves in the first chapter of the Hobbit.  All those who came in stayed with us. Very quickly they ceased to be strangers and became our friends. They were all different. They all started their faith journeys from slightly different starting points. They all differed in how much they already knew about the Christian faith. They weren’t sure what they thought about Catholicism but they were interested to find out.

One person decided he wasn’t ready to be received in the Church but he enjoyed coming every week nevertheless. He came to the Easter Vigil to support what were now his friends as they were received. One member of the group was a minister in a non-Catholic church. She brought her friend who had been baptised a Catholic but had never been confirmed. She considered that this was the best way to help her friend grow in faith. We enjoyed her contributions to the group and she too came to the Easter Vigil to offer her support. Yet another person came to argue, not realising  that the group was for people interested in deepening their faith journey. He was a bit difficult initially but by Ash Wednesday he realised that the Hound of Heaven had been after him for years, held a party to celebrate and went to the Rite of Election.

Once a group has been together for a few weeks it is a privilege to see the Holy Spirit at work and a privilege to see seeds of faith growing.

Of course the intriguing question is what made them come, one by one, through the door in the first place?  In each case the Holy Spirit was at work here through chains of apparent coincidences.  But why did they come through our door? It is important to have a culture in your church community where people delight in seeing new people growing in faith. The kind of community where the church members tend to notice that one of their neighbours is interested in why they go to church and they not only tell them about RCIA but offer to bring them along.

In a typical UK town there are many churches with dwindling congregations whose average age is rising. But often there is one church in the town which attracts young people and young families, is lively and growing, and where most people interested in the Christian faith wants to be.  It is always good to see the Kingdom of Heaven grow, whatever kind of church it is. But the Catholic Church, in the depth of its teaching and its spirituality, has a great deal to offer. The Holy Spirit is waiting for us to turn to him to provide the opportunity to deepen our own spirituality,  and to provide us with  a bigger vision.

And then we shall turn the World upside down.

David S

• the liturgical year - the heart-beat of the catechumenate as  the life, death and resurrection of Christ unfolds, and each Sunday,  nourishes the journey in faith
• liturgical catechesis - using the lectionary and texts of the liturgy in planning for the themes of the catechetical sessions, beginning with a process of  shared lectio divina, followed by reflection on:
• Who is the Jesus we meet in this Gospel? 
• What are the themes of the Gospel that emerge (link to first Reading)? 
•  What is the church teaching linked to the Gospel/other readings? 
• What questions might you use with the catechumens and candidates? 
• What are the implications for living this out in our daily lives? 
• What form of prayer/song will we use to conclude our session with the catechetical group? 
• roles in the catechumenate - the whole community, Sponsor, Godparent,  bishop,  priest, deacon, catechist - and a variety of  other supplementary roles (faith friends, welcomers/hospitality, Readers)
• liturgies of the catechumenate period - Celebrations of the Word, Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass, Blessings, Anointings, Minor Exorcisms.

On Saturday last it was the turn of Hexham & Newcastle Diocese to host their Study Day.  A number of priests and catechists from across the Diocese took part.  Some were new to RCIA.  Table groups engaged in a process of liturgical catechesis, which was very profound and moving,  and uncovered a rich seam of Catholic doctrine to explore with catechumens.  The themes varied according to the make-up of the group and the parish context - centred round  'Jesus had a busy day' - moving from the synagogyue and community prayer and community life, to the home life,  the response to suffering, healing, personal prayer, the demons in our lives, our context in the modern world and our response as Catholic Christians.   Most groups planned to use one of the liturgies of the catechumenate period to close their catechetcial sessions. 

At this point, we explored what the liturgies of this period are, including  'minor exorcisms' - how did people feel about these?  Did they use them? Most were put off by the title 'exorcism' - but after reflection on the goal of catechesis 'to put people not only in touch but in intimacy and communion with Christ' and a look at the prayers offered in the Rite (RCIA90-93 A-M) which are about clearing away what stops us coming close to Christ,  people felt more confident, and were able to plan how they would introduce these.    

Generally, when used in the context of parish catechesis for Christian initiation, the word 'exorcism' is not in the sense of 'psychic' or 'occult' (although there may be people coming to the Church via RCIA who have dabbled in such things, who will specifically benefit from the one prayer than mentions these by name - choice RCIA 94 B).  It is more in the sense of awareness of the inner self, and the struggles we have with our own selfishness, and other 'debris' that gets in the way, impedes our journey and disables us from making good choices.  Have a look, and you will find these prayers are about healing, protection, building hope, allaying fears and hesitancy,  recognising the need for God's help with self-denial and re-orientation to Christ and His kingdom of freedom, justice, love and peace.

What is the purpose of the Rites in this period?   Why bother? 

It's pretty clear in the text:  In participating in the liturgies (not 'talking about' or 'telling about - like a commentator at the Royal Wedding) and experiencing the liturgy with all our senses, this helps us to enter into the mystery of God-with-us, an encounter, where God is inviting us to be 'family' and share in the divine life of Christ - and this changes us!  Participating in the liturgy seeks to ... 'implant the teachings they are receiving, to give instruction/experience in different ways of prayer, to immerse them in the signs and celebrations and seasons of the liturgy, which prepares them gradually to enter the worship assembly of the entire community'. (RCIA 82) 

All agreed - our journey of conversion with the catechumens (adapted for candidates) is centred on a vital and convincing encounter with Christ - it happened on this day - through the gathering together, the Liturgies, the Gospel broken and shared, the blessings (RCIA 95-97) &  anointing (RCIA 98-102).

What is your experience?

• Which of the Rites of the catechumenate period do you celebrate in your situation? 
• What stops you celebrating them?
• What are the strengths of the experience of celebrating these rites?

Action

If you would like to have a study event similar to the one described above, please get in touch with the Convenor - slides/process can be made available for diocesan, deanery or parish use.

A few years ago while on a family holiday abroad my wife and I sought out a Catholic Church on Sunday morning. We eventually found the local parish Church and entered, we had arrived fairly early and so were prayerfully waiting for the next Mass to begin. A few minutes later a woman arrived looking rather disgruntled. Though there were only a handful of us in this rather large Church she made her way over to the exact pew in which we were sitting and headed straight for us. We didn’t speak the language but by her body language she made it very clear that my wife was sitting in her seat and so she squeezed herself as near to her normal seat as she could, squashing my wife and half sitting on her leg during the service. Needless to say, later in the Mass at the sign of peace, this lady was distinctly frosty!

As well as this personal experience some time ago I heard of a Church that was so effective at evangelisation and welcome that it was attracting significant numbers of new people to its congregation. As a result of this some of the more longstanding members of the congregation were beginning to feel left out and neglected claiming that the newcomers were getting all the attention at their expense- and they made this known in no uncertain terms to their priest!

In the Gospel passage given to us this Sunday Jesus addresses those who grumble against God’s welcome and generosity head on through the parable of the workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). He makes it clear that there is no preferential treatment for faithful service, no long service award. Rather he tells us quite explicitly that ‘the last will be first, and the first, last.’  This can challenge us and be a stark reminder that God’s way of thinking is so unlike ours, as the Word of God says through the prophet Isaiah ‘Yes, the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.’(Isaiah 55:9)

Fundamental to the RCIA process, to the life of the Kingdom and to our calling as Church is to be a people of welcome. The reality of this is costly. In our parish communities and on a personal level are we willing to embrace the cost of being a people of welcome? Are we willing, really willing, to be ‘last’ so that newcomers may be ‘first’?

Jesus tells us that at the last judgement he will welcome those who made him welcome in the stranger. The stranger can, among others, be the newcomer in our parish or in our RCIA group. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if their experience was one of unconditional welcome and support? Would each of them say of us and our parish communities:

‘I was a newcomer and you made me welcome’?

Action

• Reflect on the ministry of welcome in your parish.

• Reflect on how you offer welcome in and through your RCIA process. Consider asking people who have experienced RCIA with you if they felt welcomed and what helped them feel part of the community. Was there any part of their experience that made them feel alienated or unwelcome? What can you learn from their perspective and experience?

• Scripture instructs us to make hospitality our special care (Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:1-2). What are the practical aspects of hospitality you could develop further in your parish or RCIA group?

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.

Action:

In our own lives, can we consider that question?  Maybe even ask it of a close friend  - Who do you say I am?  Perhaps this week we can set a few people free, unbind them from their lack of self-esteem or anxiety by simply recognising one another's need for affirmation and encouragement.  Perhaps tune in to other people a little more, especially those with whom you live or work, and take the opportunity to say 'I think you're doing a really great job' or 'thanks for listening to me - I really value  your friendship'  or 'It's good to have you around - you encourage me'.   Can we recognise the goodness of one another?  The Holy Spirit is echoing in the hearts and lives of all if we can but see it, and through us is ready to unbind and fill with 'the healing power of love'.

'All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him.  To him be glory for ever! Amen' (Romans 11:36)