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Christian Initiation for Children (CIC)
Coordinator of Childhood & Whole Community Catechesis
(480) 899-1990
Christian Initiation for Children is the process through which children, grade 2 and upwards, who are unbaptized OR are baptized but have had no religious education can begin preparation for celebrating the Sacraments. Do you have a child needing to prepare? Have you been away from church for a while? Formal sessions run September thru May, with family work to be completed over the summer months.
Children's Catechumenate Preparation Process
This is a two (2) year process which will begin in the Fall in correlation with the regular Religious Education formation schedule and will continue as an on-going process to initiation. As example, if a candidate begins the fall of 2007, that candidate will be eligible for initiation in the Spring of 2009.
Catechumenate sessions will take place on Sunday mornings in conjunction with 8:30 Mass. After the homily, the candidates will be invited forward, receive a blessing and be sent forth with their faith leaders to study and pray the Gospel and to explore the doctrinal aspects of the scripture readings for the week. When Mass concludes, the parents of the Candidates may join the group for community prayer, sharing of the class session and receive material to support and reinforce the message. This will also be an opportunity to begin a community building experience for this group of families. The scheduling in partnership with Liturgy reinforces the centrality of the Mass / Eucharist in our lives.
Children will also be expected to attend and participate with their peers in community classes and activities and begin to connect with the life of the parish.
Depending on the age/grade/numbers of participants who configure this group, the breakdown of small groups will be considered and addressed.
Parents will be encouraged to take advantage of the adult formation opportunities. Participation in the Understanding Catholicism program is required for all parents. It is vital to the life-long faith commitment for the parents of these candidates to experience a transforming process of their own in order to assist the young person in continued participation in the life of the parish.
- Inquiry / Precatechumenate: This will run from September through April.
- Catechumenate: This stage begins the second year of study.
- Purification and Enlightenment: This stage will occur in the Lenten season of the second year when the candidates will be initiated.
- Mystagogia: The neophytes will continue after initiation until Pentecost (or close to that date) as they discern with their faith leaders and their parents their ministry in community.
- Results to strive for:
- Build a good small faith community among the families participating.
- Instill a good sense of commitment to the Mass / Community worship.
- Allow time needed to establish patterns of regular worship, study and formation.
- Ages addressed: Grade two and older who may or may not be baptized. Children who are uncatechized.
Parents join their children at the conclusion of Mass. Dismissal from the class approximately 10:00 AM.
For more information, please contact the office.