Team RCIA

RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults] teams from the Diocese of Owensboro and Diocese of Evansville gathered July 31-Aug. 1 at the Catholic Center in Evansville for the first of a two-part institute entitled “Making Disciples.”

Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal from Team RCIA led the sessions. 

Wagner is the director and founder (in 2007) of Team RCIA and has spent more than 25 years helping those in liturgical and catechetical ministries bring the RCIA process to life in parishes. Macalintal facilitates Team RCIA workshops around the country. She also serves as Director of Worship for the Diocese of San Jose, Calif.

Wagner and Macalintal asked the 130 participants to look at how the RCIA process was facilitated in each of their parishes.  They helped the teams to answer these questions: What is being done well? What improvements could be made to the process?  How do you involve your entire faith community in the process? Are you aware of – and pay attention to – the workings of the Holy Spirit as you move through the process with your catechumens?   Do you have other questions about the RCIA process?

Directed discussions, group activities and prayer led to participants’ answers. Attendees found the institute extremely informative, and they were energized by the ideas and wisdom that Wagner and Macalintal shared.  The institute shed light on the far reaching impact that RCIA has on those seeking union with Christ, and it also revealed the fruit RCIA can bear for entire parish communities.

Even if you couldn’t attend the institute’s first session, you are welcome to attend the second, which will be Oct. 16-17 in Owensboro, Ky. It will focus on the rites of the RCIA.  For more information, please call Kay Beard in the Diocese of Evansville Office of Catechesis at (812) 424-5536. To register for the Oct. 16-17 sessions, please call of the Diocese of Owensboro Martha Hagan at (270) 852-8366.