R.C.I.A. And then what? R.I.C.A. Y después que?

Alfonso Ralph Condorson, Fordham University

Abstract

This project of ministry focuses on "faith in action" or pre-mystagogy and it provides an understanding to the final process of the R.C.I.A. known as mystagogy. It affords a historical background of the R.C.I.A. and describes how the Church defines it. Once that is established, the project delves deeper into the meaning of mystagogy and the "faith in action" approach. The project gives an overview of my contribution to the R.C.I.A. process, and how I used practical theology and ordinary theology to show the experiential aspect of faith. This demonstrates how a person learns to articulate his or her own faith. The project also described how the Latino relational approach to ministry can also benefit the R.C.I.A. process. The focus of this project is human interaction, and how human contact can become a teaching tool for those going through the R.C.I.A. process. Inviting R.C.I.A. participants to be part of different ministries can help them understand what they are being taught at the R.C.I.A. sessions. Consequently, this might benefit the entire parish. The project makes reference to being Christ-centered and shows the connection to Eucharistic reception as a fuel to parish ministry. One of the themes in this project for ministry is showing the link between the teachings of Christ and service to one other. Ministry cannot be misunderstood as social justice, but it has to convey a holistic approach where body and soul come together. Service is the main theme here, and it makes us another Christ to one other. This is exercising the baptismal call to be priest, prophet and king. Finally, the project focuses on parish involvement, and how the parish can come together in an evening of recollection. The water that was blessed by the community, during the evening of recollection, at Holy Week is reused to baptize the catechumens. Furthermore, getting the parish involved in the R.C.I.A. process might develop a deeper sense of community. Catechumens, now neophytes, are re-introduced to different parish ministries. Consequently, some might have developed a desire to be part of a ministry in their parish community and exercise their baptismal call.

Subject Area

Religion|Religious education

Recommended Citation

Condorson, Alfonso Ralph, "R.C.I.A. And then what? R.I.C.A. Y después que?" (2013). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3630484.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3630484

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