Reaping a Rich Harvest: Developing
“Formed” and “Transformed” Catholics
Presented by
Brian Lemoi
Director of Evangelization & Lifelong Faith Formation
Diocese of St. Petersburg
Productive Thinking
• Define/Describe what you consider to be a
“well formed Catholic”
• Circle all the words/phrases that focus on
action and behaviors/ practices
• Underline all the words/phrases that focus
on knowledge or understanding
Reaping a Rich Harvest: Developing
“Formed” and “Transformed” Catholics
• The story of the Road to Emmaus is the
paradigm for moving from catechesis
focused on information to catechesis that
leads to transformation, thus fostering
the development of faith-filled disciples of
Jesus. This session will investigate
Shared Christian Praxis and other models
of formation that are holistic and
multidimensional so that the “head, heart
and hands” of the catechumens and
candidates are engaged in the RCIA
process.
Paradigm Thinking
• Listen with fresh ears this very
familiar Gospel story:
The Appearance on The
Road to Emmaus
Luke 24: 13-35
Framework for Consideration
• What outcomes do we intend?
• Holistic Formation
• Mature Discipleship
• Lifelong Learners/Participants
• What vision and direction is available from
our Church Documents?
•
Primary Source: RCIA Document
• General Directory for Catechesis & Our Hearts Were
Burning Within Us.
• What method will lead to these desired
outcomes?
• Shared Christian Praxis
• Apprenticeship in the Faith/Life of Catholicism
• Planning with the Six Tasks of Catechesis in mind
Working Definitions
• Formation: the process by which something
comes into existence or begins to have a
particular order or shape.
• “so, whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old
things have passed away2 Corinthians 5:17
• Education: the action or process of educating
or of being educated; the knowledge and
development resulting from an educational
process
•
“Of making many books there is no end, and much
study wearies the body” Ecclesiastes 12:12
RCIA Document : Paragraph 75
• The catechumenate is an extended period
during which the candidates are given
suitable pastoral formation and guidance,
aimed at training them in the Christian life.
In this way, the dispositions manifested
at their acceptance into the
catechumenate are brought to maturity.
This is achieved in four ways.
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral
Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the U.S.
• The baptismal catechumenate provides for an
apprenticeship in Christian living and believing.
It "seems the most appropriate model" for adult
faith formation and, though it cannot be
considered the exclusive model, should be
encouraged everywhere. Whatever model is
used, adult faith formation should always
actively challenge participants to get involved
with their own faith journey—passive listening
is never enough; the goal is always conversion.
Paragraph 81
Summary of RCIA # 75
by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, GEMS Newsletter #33, 9/2013
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (#75) reminds us that a
complete catechesis includes not only the doctrines of the
Church but also an apprenticeship in prayer, participation in the
liturgical life of the Church, and extraordinary love and care for
our neighbor. These are the pillars of catechesis which can lead
us to an intimate encounter with Jesus Christ.
Information (head) about our faith is certainly crucial, yet
catechesis always needs to go deeper and further.
Formation (heart) calls for the cementing of a relationship with
Jesus, whom we have learned about.
Transformation (hands) calls for a change of the heart and a
commitment to now live that which we have intellectually
learned.
Let’s Get
to the
Practical
Implementation!
Shared Christian Praxis Method
Dr. Thomas Groome-Boston College
• Connecting faith with life & life with faith!
• Four Interrelated Movements (not steps)
• Human Experience: The individual is asked to
connect their prior experience on a topic focused
by the “session theme or aim”
• Christian Message: The action of God, Jesus, the
Holy Spirit and God’s Church and her teachings
are presented
• Discovery: Opportunity to reinterpret human
experience in light of the Christian Message
• Response: Connection to prayer, action,
participation with the community…
Lectionary-Driven Catechesis
1. A suitable catechesis is …planned to be
gradual and complete in its coverage,
accommodated to the liturgical year, and
solidly supported by celebrations of the
word. This catechesis leads the
catechumens not only to an appropriate
acquaintance with dogmas and precepts
but also to a profound sense of the
mystery of salvation in which they desire
to participate. RCIA # 75-1
Connect Faith With Life & Foster Apostolic Action
2. As they become familiar with the
Christian way of life …the catechumens
learn to turn more readily to God in
prayer, to bear witness to the faith, in all
things to keep their hopes set on Christ,
to follow supernatural inspiration in
their deeds, and to practice love of
neighbor, even at the cost of self
renunciation. RCIA # 75-2
Liturgical Catechesis
3. The Church helps the catechumens on
their journey by means of suitable
liturgical rites, which purify the
catechumens little by little and
strengthen them with God’s blessing.
RCIA # 75-3
(Grace)
Apostolic/Service Learning
4. Since the Church’s life is apostolic,
catechumens should also learn how to
work actively with others to spread the
Gospel and build up the Church by the
witness of their lives and by
professing their faith. RCIA # 75-3
Utilizing the Six Tasks of Catechesis
•
•
•
•
•
•
Knowledge of the Faith
Formation for Liturgy/Sacraments
Moral Formation
Formation in Prayer/Spirituality
Formation for Community Life
Formation for Missionary Initiation
• See yellow page in packet for explanation
• Plan Using the Six Tasks Grid
•
Examples in the following section
So, What about the Practical Suggestions?
• Use a lectionary driven cycle of topics.
Lectionary tool available at:
http://dosp.org/faithformation/r-c-i-a/
• Let go of the “curriculum” that came with
your books or videos—use these as tools—
not to be slavishly followed
• Weekly readings are the “common
curriculum” of the whole Church
• Teachable moments/just in time learning
• Echo the Faith = Root Meaning of Catechesis
So, What about the Practical Suggestions?
• Action/Service/Experiential Learning:
• Be bold enough to prepare a calendar that
schedules opportunities to:
•
•
•
•
•
Feed the poor
Clothe/shelter the homeless
Visit the sick and infirm
Participate in a faith-based justice initiative
Partner with a community service program
• Teach enough in advance for meaningful
participation
• Engage in theological reflection/prayer after
the experience How did you meet Christ
today?
So, What about the Practical Suggestions?
• Schedule with a parish-wide special event
and participate as a group: (look at the Parish Calendar)
• Whole community/intergenerational faith
formation event
• Patronal prayer/celebration
• Vespers
• Feast Day Mass without dismissal (e.g.
December 8/November 1)—engage in the desire
that is building to participate in Eucharist—
attach catechesis that week to this experience
• Local “Pilgrimage” e.g. St. Leo Abby—liturgy of
the hours, consecrated life, prayer forms…
So, What about the Practical Suggestions
• Don’t add to the “silos” in the parish
• Always apply “both/and” thinking
• Consider pointing the catechumens and
candidates toward follow-up activities,
authentically Catholic literature,
websites etc. for their own individual
exploration—21st Century Learners
• Implicit/Explicit “teaching”
• Art & environment, music, video (segments)
So, What about the Practical Suggestions?
• Don’t wait until Mystagogy to begin the
parish connections:
• Bring in the leadership of a group that
relates to a theme that you are presenting
and ask them to speak from their hearts
about why they commit to their area of
ministry
• Guest leaders for breaking open the word or
catechumenate session. e.g. Bible Study
Coordinator
So, What about the Practical Suggestions?
Six Tasks
Concept/Theme
Content
Experience/Interaction
Special Notes/
Considerations
Knowledge of the
Faith
Liturgical Formation
Liturgical
Prayer
• Prayer Types
• Universal
Commitment
to Prayer
• Seasons of
the Church
Year
• Consecration
of the Day
• Use of Incense
and its
symbolism
Advent Vespers
• Prayer
Postures:
Stand for
Gospel
Canticle
• Magnificat
Moral Formation
In Summary
• Look over your year-long plan
• Consider the Periods of the Catechumenate and
Allow the Guidance in the Rite to Nuance Your
Topics and Formational Style
• Look for the Teachable Moments and
Opportunities Available at Your Parish
• Consider the Balance in The Formation of Head—
Heart—Hands and use the tools mentioned to
assist in blending all of these
• Remember, you are establishing a foundation for a
lifetime of full, conscious and active participation
in the life, liturgy and spirituality of the Catholic
Church. Let them meet Jesus in the Breaking of
the Bread—He is there for them for all their days!
Questions/Conclusions/Contact
• Questions?
• Any Conclusions That You May Want to
Jot Down Now to Remind Yourself
Later?
• If you need assistance, do not hesitate to
contact me at: BAL@DOSP.org
• Thank You for Companioning Those to
Whom You are Called as They Journey
to Their Emmaus Encounter!