Pathways for Parish Leaders

Using Formed as a foundation for parish ministry means having a clear idea of the content and resources available to you, the parish leader. Formed Pathways for Parish Leaders are role-specific, carefully curated, and clearly presented recommendations for using Formed fruitfully in today's parish. Pathways are presented for Pastors, Directors of Religious Education, RCIA Leaders, and a growing list of parish leadership roles. Find out what Formed can offer you in the ministry you lead every day, today!

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Top Recommendations for RCIA Leaders:

The Search/La Búsqueda

The Search is a kerygmatic series used effectively by RCIA coordinators during the period of inquiry phase of RCIA. Start the journey by diving into the fundamental questions of every human heart.Available in English and Español.

Convinced

Convinced: Why Would Anyone Become Catholic? is an inspirational video that highlights why others have become Catholic. It can be viewed together as a group or at home independently. Another possible use is posting a link to Convinced on the RCIA page on the parish website as an invitation to learn more about Catholic conversion confidentially.

Symbolon

Symbolon gives your candidates and Catechumens a systematic understanding of the Catholic faith. Designed specifically for the Catechumenate stage of RCIA, Symbolon can be particularly impactful when addressing issues of ongoing discipleship with classes approaching reception into the Church. The combination of clear catechesis and call to conversion will resonate strongly as the Easter Vigil approaches.Available in English and Español.

Opening the Word

Opening the Word is complete with video reflection and discussion questions on the upcoming Sunday Gospel, to foster deep reflection as a group and individually. One especially effective use of Opening the Word is to send its reflections to candidates via personal email on Fridays to prepare them for Sunday readings. A key “good habit” for new Catholics is to know that they can preview Sunday readings as that day approaches, furthering their love and contemplation of the Word.

Forgiven/Perdonado

Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an area of intense curiosity and questioning for many RCIA catechumens. Leveraging the Forgiven series for group discussion has proven to be extremely fruitful in preparing for Reconciliation.Available in English and Español.

Presence/Presencia

The ongoing centrality of the Eucharist to the faith of a new Catholic is very much worth investing an RCIA program’s time and effort. Using Presence as content for a post-Easter retreat or day of reflection helps affirm the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith for new Catholics. Available in English and Español.

Additional Recommendations
on Formed:

ECHO (video series)—This thirty-six-part, video-based study of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) is presented by Bishop Donald Hying of Gary, Indiana. These short and engaging videos introduce each chapter of the USCCA and provide an inspiring start to personal or group study of our rich Catholic Faith. Available in English and Español.

Our Story: A Basic Introduction to the Bible for Catholics (video series)—This series consists of five-minute video segments that present the Bible’s big picture, along with a uniquely Catholic approach to the Scriptures.

Elements of the Catholic Mass (video series)—This series consists of thirty-one short videos designed to help the faithful better appreciate the beauty of the Mass.

Catholic Answers: Ready Reasons (video series)—This series includes more than thirty short videos that each discuss various topics within the Catholic faith. These concise videos are meant to start a conversation about the Catholic Faith and to lead viewers to begin their own journeys towards the truths of the Catholic Faith, or to deepen their understanding of it.

Chosen (audio book)—The pages of this audio book tell the conversion stories of twenty-three men and women who testify that Christ touched their hearts and intervened in their lives in unexpected, sometimes even miraculous, ways.

The Augustine Institute Show with Dr. Tim Gray (live weekly talk show)—This weekly Catholic talk show that brings the truth and beauty of the Gospel to Catholics all over the world. The show broadcasts live on Formed each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Truth and Life Audio Bible—The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament is a celebrity-voiced audio drama of the entire RSV-CE New Testament. More than seventy actors help bring the Scriptures to life.

Webinars for RCIA Leaders:

Learn how Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained can be used in RCIA and beyond.
Hosted by Sean Dalton with guest John Christian, St. Thomas More Church, Colorado, February 19th, 2020.

Make use of the highly recommended participant guides for Symbolon, available in both paper and digital formats.
Click here to order.
Consider ordering each catechumen a new Bible. The newly-translated English Standard Version Catholic Edition Bible (ESV-CE) includes refinements to nearly 60,000 words from the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and is the best literal translation, written in smooth and readable English.
Convert drive time to faith time. Invite catechumens to listen to and read inspiring stories of conversion by some of the most sought–after Catholic speakers of our time. A great start is Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist. In this sixty-minute audio talk, Dr. Brant Pitre uses the Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish tradition to frame the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper and to provide a fresh look at the heart of Catholic practice—the Eucharist. By taking us back to the Jewish roots of our Faith, Dr. Pitre gives us a powerful lens through which to see anew the bread of the presence, the manna, the Last Supper, and ultimately, the meaning of the Eucharist. Additional suggested titles are listed below:

Why a Protestant Became Catholic (audio)—Dr. Scott Hahn

A Wife’s Journey Home (audio)—Kimberly Hahn

Gangland to Promised Land (audio)—John Pridmore

An Invitation to Consider the Catholic Faith (audio)—Fr. Francis Peffly

The Logic of Being Catholic (audio)—Fr. Ray Guarendi

Rome Sweet Home (eBook)—Dr. Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn

Something Other Than God (eBook)—Jennifer Fulwiler

Not God’s Type (eBook)—Holly Ordway

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Featured Story:

Using The Search and Symbolon in an RCIA Program: The inspiring story of an RCIA leader in Ohio who started with 1 catechumen this year and quickly added 9 more who will become Catholic this Easter Vigil Mass.

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