The Catechumenate was reintroduced after the Second Vatican Council, when the Council Fathers decided that the Catechumenate should be the “proper way of initiating adults.”

In light of this, what are the initial steps that one must take so as to create a vibrant and effective RCIA in your parish?

There are a number of preliminary steps that need to be taken care of before one embarks on promoting RCIA within the parish, they are:

Step 1: Discuss RCIA with your Parish priest

Ideally RCIA is a work of both laymen and women and the parish priest himself. Both lay people and priests are very important to the RCIA process.

This balance needs to be worked out from the start, it is important that all are aware of what their requirements will be.

Step 2: Create an RCIA team

Establishing an RCIA team is extremely important, as RCIA should never fall on the shoulders of one person (it’s simply too much work). Ideally the people in your team compliment each other well, for example, some might be effective catechists, others might make good sponsors, others are good at organising and hospitality. All contributions are extremely important. Organising an RCIA prayer team is also encouraged. The prayer team have as their primary responsibility – prayer for those in the Catechumenate or those thinking of finding out more about the Catholic Church. Everyone, no matter what their age, or talents, are able to be involved in the RCIA in some way. The great strength and advantage of this approach is that you can involved the entire parish community, either actively, through being involved in the process, or through some kind of prayer or welcoming ministry.

You might first like to advertise as a way of mobilising the parish eg advertise in the parish bulletin for sponsors, or for hospitality helpers, catechists or whatever.

It is encouraged to have one coordinator either for the whole RCIA team or for the different sections, eg a coordinator for catechesis, one for the liturgy etc. This all depends on the number of parishioners that you have to assist.

Step 3: Promote the RCIA Process

Once you have a working model for RCIA (one that will suit the needs and skills of your parish) – the next step is to advertise.

Especially if you have not had RCIA in your parish before, or if it has been a while since RCIA has been offered, it is incredibly important that you let your parishioners know.

Get it announced at the end of all the Masses for a few weeks