Catholic Diocese of Richmond / Office of Christian Formation / January 2023

In this edition:

Rite of Election Registration

RCIA Roundtable - Preparing for the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election

and other Training Opportunities

We look forward to gathering by vicariate with Bishop Knestout for the Rite of Election.

Child and adult catechumens who are discerned ready for full initiation into the Catholic Church at this Easter Vigil should be registered, whether they are able to attend in person or not.

Parishes who do NOT have any catechumens for this Easter Vigil should also complete the form to record that information. Thank you.

West Vicariate: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Salem

Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10:00am

Central Vicariate: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond

Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 3:00pm

East Vicariate: St. Pius X, Norfolk

Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 3:00pm

Preparing for the Rites of Sending and Election

A Walk-through of the Rites

Especially for new team members, or if you missed it last year...

Not sure what happens at the Rite of Sending or Rite of Election, or what your catechumens need to know? Sheri Kemp will lead you through the text of the rites, exploring how the rites guide us in preparing our catechumens for the celebration of these encounters of God's grace.

Have your RCIA Study Text handy for this one-hour Zoom presentation:

January 31 @ 1:30pm or 7:00pm

February 1 @ 7:00pm

Looking for help discerning the readiness of catechumens?

Practice discernment as a team so as to better guide others in your ministry.

View this brief video on teaching children discernment, as well as other resources to share with adults.

Share this video with inquirers to assist them in living a more discerning life.

Read one or more of these TeamRCIA articles on discernment involving the parish community.

Ministry Trainings - Individual or as a Team

Participate in a three part, online-training in February to learn ways to involve parishioners more extensively in the initiation journeys of your various seekers, whether children, youth, or adults.

Registration is required by February 5 and costs $45. Connect with Sheri ahead of time and receive a $40 rebate at the completion of the course.

Course streams live and is also recorded for later viewing.

February 16, 23, and March 2, 2023

8:00pm - 9:30pm ET

More information and registration can be found here.

Want to stay current on the new OCIA and other best practices with initiation ministry?

Consider signing up for LTP's The Catechumeneon. The quarterly newsletter shares articles and trainings relevant to your ministry.

In anticipation of the new OCIA they are releasing a short video and discussion guide on the various rites of initiation. Perfect for personal or team reflection. You can view them here.

Share the Celebrations

We love to fill our newsletter with pictures of initiation ministry from parishes in our diocese, like the one above from the Rite of Sending in 2019 at St. Gerard, Roanoke. Send us an image or two of your celebrations with catechumens:

Rite of Sending
Presentation of the Creed or Our Father
Scrutinies
Attending Chrism Mass
Participating at Triduum Services
Enjoying your Lenten Soup Supper
Praying the Stations of the Cross
Sharing a meal with their sponsor

RCIA Questions?

RCIA process, formation, preparation, children's initiation, and more - Contact Sheri Kemp, 804-622-5113,

rcia@richmonddiocese.org

Liturgical Questions? Contact the Office of Worship at 804-622-5235, worship@richmonddiocese.org

Marriage or Annulment Questions? Contact the Office of the Tribunal at 804-355-9155