OUR FAITH

Proclaim Good News

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind..." (Luke 4:18-19)

Sr Pauleen Dundon, SOSJ

Diocesan Director of Catechism

Sister of Saint Joseph

What does a Catechist do?

“A catechist is a person who facilitates the process of faith formation. This is done first by echoing the word of God in his or her own life, and second by helping others to do so. Though your work with adults, families, adolescents, and children, you are passing on a living faith”

Joe Paprocki

The primary goal of a catechist is to model God’s love to others. As a result, the primary requisite of a catechist is a love for God and a love for children. A catechist designs and structures experiences for students that help them grow in their personal faith and spirituality and passes on to students a set of shared meanings and values that are Catholic and Christian. A catechist also initiates others into the faith community, into its life, its worship, symbols and practices.

The role of the catechist is a vital ministry to the Church. It is a gift that has tremendous value to the world community at large because through the catechist’s word and action, the message of Christ continues to have a place in all human affairs.

Why should I become a catechist?

In choosing to become a catechist, you are answering God’s call, the call of your baptism. This decision is one which will not only enrich the lives of your students, but also your own faith life.

Will I receive training and support?

The Bunbury Diocese offers an excellent catechist’s formation program. The initial formation course consists of 18 sessions covering such important issues as theology, scripture, religious education, spirituality, lesson planning, classroom activities and a variety of other subjects. Over all, the sessions are made up of two components:

  • A personal faith development segment, which raises awareness of current teachings and practices within the Church.
  • Practical sessions which follow and explain the teaching programme. Participants are introduced to current practices in the teaching/learning process, stages of development, strategies for group management and available resources.

Meetings and prayer days will be provided for catechists throughout the year . These are opportunities for catechists to take time out for their own spiritual growth. A mass will be celebrated annually in the Cathedral with the Bishop being the main celebrant.

How do I find out more?

Please contact the Catechist Coordinator who is able to offer you advice and guidance about becoming a catechist.

Welcome! You are invited to learn more about the journey towards Christian faith. What follows is a summary of the Catholic Church’s process for growing into deeper faith, and celebrating the Sacraments in the Church as an adult.

What is RCIA – The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (often abbreviated RCIA) is the process through which interested adults and older children are gradually introduced to the Catholic faith and way of life, and received into the full sacramental life of the church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

To understand the RCIA, it is important to recall that it is an adult journey of change, growth and conversion. It is the journey by which we deepen our faith in Christ, join the Catholic Church, and live the Christian way of life and prayer in the world.

What is involved in the RCIA Process?

The process involves a journey linked to the liturgical year, and lasting anywhere from several months to a year or more depending on the needs of the individual. It is an “apprenticeship” in the Christian life and involves four separate phases, with special rituals throughout.

First Stage: Period of Inquiry
The pre-Catechumenate has no fixed duration and is the least formal and structured of all the phases. The main purpose is to give the inquirer an opportunity to question and explore many different aspects of the Catholic faith, while introducing the person and message of Jesus Christ. Within this phase, the beginnings of Christian faith start to become evident, and the enquirer begins to relate more closely to the Christian community.

Second Stage: Rite of Acceptance / Catechumenate
This is by far the longest and most formal part of the process. During this phase the catechumen (learner) participates with the whole Catholic community in their Sunday celebrations. The catechumen participates by sharing in the Liturgy of the Word. Through prayer, learning and coming to know other Catholic Christians, catechumens discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the church. This phase offers not only intellectual and faith formation, but also growth in prayers, Christian service and Parish life. The focus is on conversion of heart, through prayer and good works, but also of conversion of the mind, in which we start to see through the eyes of God, to think, perceive and act as Christ calls us to in our lives. During this time, catechumens receive anointings, participate in prayers of exorcism (healing and strengthening) and blessings, which assists this conversion. The Scriptures are central to the catechumenate stage of formation.

Third Stage: The Rite of Election / The Period of Purification & Enlightenment
This phase takes place during Lent, and is marked by 3 community celebrations known as Scrutinies(ceremonies of healing). During this period, the elect (called and chosen for the Sacraments), and the parish community together focus on conversion, reveiw their lives in light of the gospel and celebrate the presentations of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer. These scrutinies coincide with the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sunday’s of Lent, and they ask God for healing and forgiveness of the elect.

Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The elect are fully incorporated into Christ and the Church by Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The elect become full members of the Body of Christ, the Church. From this time until the end of the period of mystagogy, they are known as neophytes: “newly born” Christians.

Fourth Stage: Mystagogy
This is an important period of reflection by the newly initiated with their parish community. The formation and teaching continues during this time, in order to help the neophytes become incorporated into the full life of the Christian community. They are assisted to discern their gifts and are integrated more deeply into the life, worship and mission of the parish.

It is important to note that the fourth stage may be the end or final stage of the RCIA process, but it is only the first stage of the rest of their lives as a fully active and participating member of the Catholic Church and its mission.

How do I find out more?

If you are interested in finding out more about the RCIA process available in your area, then please make contact with your local parish office.

How can I help with RCIA?

There are many ways you can help candidates and catechumens in the faith formation through RCIA, from offering support as a sponsor, through to helping run the RCIA process in your parish. To learn more about being involved in the RCIA process, please contact your local parish.

RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) is the process through which children of catechetical age (7 years and older), are prepared to celebrate the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and be welcomed into the Catholic Church. It is the process of initiation the Church asks us to use and is modelled on the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

Who is the RCIC for?

The RCIC is primarily intended for children, not baptised as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age. The Church understands ‘catechetical age’ to begin at the age of reason, on or about age 7.

The RCIC is also for those children, baptised as infants in the Catholic Church or another Christian community, who have not been catechised (taught the Christian faith) and who wish to celebrate the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

What does the RCIC involve?

The children and families who choose to participate in the RCIC will belong to a group of children and families who will form community together as they grow in relationship with Jesus and with the Church. Together, the children and families are introduced to the life of faith in the Church and the meaning of the celebration of the sacraments. The children and families will get to know their catechists and members of the parish, including the priest and other members of the pastoral life of the local Church community.

The steps of the RCIC are patterned on the steps of RCIA but adapted to the needs, circumstances and ages of the children involved.

For more information on the RCIC please contact your local parish.

The world of today can be challenging to anyone. Through its adult education initiatives, the Diocese seeks to help adults:

  • To reflect upon the meaning of contemporary life experiences;
  • To discover how they may serve others; and
  • To develop life skills and the skills needed to serve others in their communities.

The Diocesan Pastoral Office promotes, co-ordinates and supports adult education in its various forms throughout the Diocese. Its team assists parishes and deaneries to:

  • Respond to local needs with initiatives related to experiences of life today;
  • Form group networks;
  • Build community through small groups;
  • Train local people to lead programs; and
  • Access and utilise specific adult faith education programs, courses, resources and publications, including those for small groups and beginner programs in theology.

Programs

Programs in adult faith education offered through the Diocesan Pastoral Team include:

  • Advent and Lenten Programs
  • Summer and Winter Schools on a variety of scriptural, liturgical, theological and moral topics
  • Parish renewal programs
  • Church Alive which is a program that trains people for parish ministries
  • Training programs for Acolytes and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist
  • Training programs for parish pastoral council members
  • Diaconate program
  • Programs for teacher/school staffs
  • Welcome Home program for ‘retired Catholics’

The Pastoral Office has for its aim to encourage the full, conscious and active participation of all people in liturgical rites and to oversee the quality of worship across the Diocese.

The work of the Pastoral Office is to assist every individual parish assembly in making their assembly worship a Transformative experience whereby parishioners are empowered to live the Gospel message at home, at school and in the workplace.

Programs offered by the diocesan Liturgical Team include:-

  • Advent/Lenten programs
  • Training programs for the ministries of Acolyte, Lector and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Parish liturgical ministries include those of

  • Altar Servers
  • Cantors and Choirs
  • Ministry of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. These services are offered in age appropriate language so that the children may reflect on how the readings relate to their everyday lives.
  • Eucharistic Ministers who are entrusted to administer the Body and Blood of Christ at each eucharistic liturgy.
  • Funeral Planning Committee. Provides support for grieving family members by assisting them in choosing the scriptures and music for the funeral mass.
  • Funeral Meals Committee prepares and serves a complete meal for the family and for a limited number of people.
  • Lectors (Ministers of the Word) are prepared readers who proclaim the Word of God at weekend, Holy Day, and special liturgies.
  • Sacristans are behind the scenes parishioners who understand the physical requirements of the liturgy, and prepare the bread, cups and linens essential to each liturgy.
  • Ushers provide a smooth flow to our liturgies by offering seating assistance and directing the offertory collection, Eucharist procession and bulletin distribution.

Diocesan Liturgical Committee

Office of Evangelization

DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY PRAYER

 

Loving and faithful God,

As we walk along the road of our lives, help us to recognize that You are with us.

Stay close to us. Open our hearts when we hear Your Word.

In the blessing and breaking of the bread and of our lives together, help us to recognize You and know that You are near.

Fill us with Your Spirit and joy, so we may go and share Your Good News.

Send Your blessing on all the people of our Diocese as we prepare for our Assembly in August.

May Your Spirit of wisdom inspire and guide all our conversations and gatherings.

May Your Spirit of living communion unite us more closely in our parishes and diocese.

May our walking together be fruitful and be a sign of presence in our world.

Amen.

Our Lady of the Way, Pray for us.

Saint Joseph, Protector of the Church, Pray for us.