Children and Christian Initiation Leader


Book Description

Children and Christian Initiation is a resource for Catholic parishes. If you’re starting or continuing the process of Christian initiation with children, this is the book for you. It gives complete, practical directions for preparing unbaptized or uncatechized children for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist. Adapting the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for children in age-appropriate ways, this resource includes an overview of children’s spirituality and the vision of the Rite, ideas for preparation before the rites and reflection afterwards, experiential activities that link scripture with daily life, background on each of the four periods, with sample sessions for each, a calendar of celebrations, which can be copied for families and a glossary of terms used in the initiation process.




Christ's Own Forever


Book Description

Christ's Own Forever is a unique resource developed with the varying needs of Episcopal communities of all sizes in mind. Flexible session plans are ideal for both one-on-one conversations with parents or meetings that include several families together. This interactive journal is designed to first guide you as you prepare for this special baptism, but then takes things a step further with tips and practical exercises that invite you to nurture the spiritual development of your child or godchild beyond baptism. You'll gain more understanding about your own spiritual journey, too as you consider ways to help your child or godchild live out the baptismal vows you mill make on his or her behalf. Includes background on baptism and Christian initiation, as well as guidance on preparation for baptism in The Episcopal Church today. Guidance is provided for preparation and follow-up with parents who are parish members and those who are unchurched.







Guide to Adapting the OCIA for Children


Book Description

Children of varying ages and states of faith formation undergo a variety of paths to Christian initiation. This book is an invaluable resource for initiation coordinators, catechists, and directors of religious education as they prepare children and their families to undertake their journeys of faith. Author Rita Burns Senseman shares the Church’s wisdom concerning the vision of children’s initiation according found in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). You will find parish-tested models and sample sessions; appendixes on how to prepare and lead child catechesis, and how to celebrate the liturgical rites; answers to frequently asked questions; and a glossary of terms. This book has been revised according to the new translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).







Common Worship: Christian Initiation


Book Description

This paperback volume contains the liturgy for all kinds of Christian Initiation. It includes the well-known rites of Baptism and Confirmation, as well as a range of associated services to help Christians in the various stages of their journey of faith. These associated services included Rites on the Way, designed to be used with adults who have recently found faith. These rites mark their coming to faith and help them on the journey towards baptism and confirmation. Also included are various Rites of Affirmation, designed for those who wish to mark or reaffirm a Baptism that has already taken place. Services of Reconciliation and Restoration are also included, as they draw individuals back into the full baptismal life of the Christian community. These include the Reconciliation of a Penitent (individual confession), and a corporate service of penitence for use during Advent and Lent or in preparation for mission or pilgrimage. Services included are: Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child Rites Supporting Disciples on the Way of Christ Holy Baptism Emergency Baptism Holy Baptism and Confirmation, including a Vigil Service Celebration after an Initiation Service outside the Parish Thanksgiving for Holy Baptism Admission of the Baptized to Communion A Form for the Corporate Renewal of Baptismal Vows Affirmation of Baptismal Faith Reception into Communion of the Church of England A Corporate Service of Penitence The Reconciliation of a Penitent A Celebration of Wholeness and Healing




Preaching as Spiritual Leadership


Book Description

In this unique resource, Fr. Michael E. Connors, CSC, gathers and expertly guides the collective wisdom of experienced preachers and homilists to provide a unique resource that examines the preacher’s unique role as shepherd and a spiritual leader. The chapters will investigate these dual roles according to the roots of the Catholic spiritual tradition and provide practical advice for priests, deacons, seminarians in homiletics classes or preaching classes, retreat leaders, RCIA catechists—all who preach. Preaching as Spiritual Leadership provides solutions to the following questions: How is preaching embedded in the Church’s pastoral mission? What does it mean to be a shepherd and spiritual leader for others? How can a preacher flourish in the role of spiritual leader? How can we lead others into committed discipleship through preaching? To be a shepherd and spiritual leader, the preacher must be in some sense a mystic, who is filled with the Lord’s gracious presence, a presence to be shared with others. Homilists are a sacramental people, they must also be a mystagogues: ministers who can both lead the community’s ritual celebrations, and help the People of God to plunge into the liturgy with lively faith, to touch the holy realities behind them.




A Child's Book of the Mass


Book Description

One of the best liturgical-catechetical Mass books for young children. The writers have done an exceptional job of presenting the rituals of the Mass in a way that will engage children and enable them to reflect at their own level on the meaning of the parts of the Mass. Also throughout the text, children are presented with questions that will draw them into participation in the Mass and help them develop a Eucharistic spirituality.







It Takes a Church to Baptize


Book Description

The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized? Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. The book includes a foreword by Todd Hunter and an afterword by Gerald McDermott.