“The RCIA: Ever Ancient, Ever New”
October 1–3, 2014
Lombard, Ill.
45th National Meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions
Over 220 leaders from 103 dioceses gathered in Lombard, Ill., October 1–3, 2014, for the annual national meeting of FDLC. Their focus was “The RCIA: Ever Ancient, Ever New.” Specifically, they would examine the National Statutes on the Catechumenate (1988) which have served as particular law for the dioceses of the United States for the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
At the heart of their discussions were the results of a recent study on pastoral practice commissioned by the FDLC, the USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship, and the USCCB’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. The survey was conducted in the spring and summer of 2014 by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The 100-question instrument was sent to a random sampling of 5000 parishes in the USA. Dr. Mary Gautier of CARA presented a summary of the results, analyzing such data as the length of the formation process, the number of catechumens and candidates, the celebration of the rites which mark their journey, proper ministers of the rites, catechetical resources used, the specific needs of children of catechetical age, and the proper celebration of the rites of initiation and reception into full communion.
Opening Remarks: Rita Thiron, FDLC Executive Director
Study Day Address: “MyRCIA: The Meaning of Adult Initiation in Post-Vatican II America,” presented by Rev. Paul Turner
Voices of Hope: Responses to the CARA Survey and the Consultation on the National Statutes
Study Day Address: “A Pastoral Response to the CARA Report on the RCIA Survey,” presented by Rev. Ronald J. Lewinski, S.T.L.