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12:314 InitiationSyllabus - Fall 2009 |
Course DescriptionAssigned Reading | Schedule of Topics and Assignments Meeting 1: September 12 | Course ObjectivesCourse MethodParticipants |
This course will study the history of the ways in which Christians have initiated new members into their community. We will study the current Roman Catholic rites for initiation of both adults and children. Reflection on the rites will help the participants understand the theological meaning of the sacraments of initiation and will give background to contemporary discussions on such issues as the age for Confirmation, the necessity of Reconciliation before Eucharist, the meaning of Original Sin, etc. The course is designed to help the participants develop a Baptismal Spirituality, to understand and teach these sacraments, and to enable them to plan and celebrate the rites effectively.
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1. Maxwell Johnson. The Rites of Christian Initiation: Their Evolution and Interpretation (Revised and Expanded edition). A Pueblo Book Published by the Liturgical Press, 2007. ISBN 13:978-0-8146-6215-1.
2. The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1990. ISBN: 978-0-8146-6015-7
The General Introduction to the Revised Rites of Initiation. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 3-2.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 29-340.
The National Statutes for the Catechumenate. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 341-356.
The Rite of Baptism for Children. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 361-466.
The Rite of Confirmation. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 472-515.
3. Nick Wagner: The Way of Faith: A Field Guide for the RCIA Process. Twenty-Third Publications, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58595-710-1
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Meeting 1: Saturday, September 12
| 8:30 to noon | Presentation of the syllabus. i12 Introduction Fr. Tom's favorite metaphors: icebergs, moving the furniture, tip of the pistol, etc Chapter 41 Liturgy and Psychology. Introduction of the participants in the course: Who are we? d28 Four Treasures in The Attic Sacrament |
| noon to 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:30 to 4:30 | Chapter d21 Overview of the History of Liturgy Chapter i21 Origins of Christian Initiation Chapter i52 The Place for Initiation Assignments #1, #2, #3 and #4 |
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September 17 Read Johnson, Chapter 1: The Origins of the Rites of Christian Initiation; Chapter 2: Christian Initiation in the Pre-Nicene East; Chapter 3: Christian Initiation in the Pre-Nicene West. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #1 September 17 Assignment #1 Using the ten periods of The Ten Finger Historical Grid present a one page summary of the key moments in the history of Christian Initiation.
September 24 Read Johnson, Chapter4: Initiation in the Christian East During the Fourth and Fifth Centuries; Chapter 5: Initiation in the Christian West during the Fourth and Fifth Centuries; Excursus: Baptismal Preparation and the Origins of Lent. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #2 Explain the doctrine of Original Sin in its contemporary pastoral context.
October 1 Read Johnson, Chapter 6: Christian Initiation in the Middle Ages; Chapter 7: The Rites of Initiation in the Christian East; Chapter 8: Christian Initiation in the Protestant and Catholic Reforms of the Sixteenth Century. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #3 What are the principal differences in the theology and liturgical practice of Christian Initiation in the Roman Rite and the various Eastern Churches.
October 8 Read Johnson, Chapter 9: Christian Initiation in the Churches Today; Chapter 10: Back Home to the Font: The place of a Baptismal Spirituality and its Implication in a Displaced World. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #4, Outline a program for implementing the RCIA in a contemporary American parish. List the dates on which the various rites and other meetings would be scheduled and give a brief description of each (e.g. during catechetical sessions, what material would be presented." (Remember: your pastor will want the basics of the faith to be covered.)
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Meeting 2: Saturday, October 10
| 8:15 to noon | DVD: The Fishing Trip -- discussion |
| noon to 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 to 4:30 | Video: This is the Night -- discussion Presentation: Assignment #4 RCIA PowerPoint: Confirmation Today and Tomorrow Summary of Assignment #1: History of RCIA Overview of coming assignments |
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October 15 Read The General Introduction to the Revised Rites of Initiation. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 3-2; The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 29-340; The National Statutes for the Catechumenate. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 341-356. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #5 Explain the theology of the Sacrament of Confirmation and indicate how this theology relates to the sequence in which the sacraments of initiation are celebrated.
October 22 Read The Rite of Baptism for Children. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 361-466. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #6 If there is "one Lord, one faith, one Baptism" and if "Eucharist is the culmination of Christian Initiation" why is there not "one Confirmation" and "one Eucharist"?
October 29 Read The Rite of Confirmation. Any official edition; for example: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville, pp 472-515. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #7 Assess the implementation of the "National Statutes for the Catechumenate" (Approved by the USCCB on November 11, 1986).
November 5 Read Nick Wagner: The Way of Faith: A Field Guide for the RCIA Process, pages 1-83. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #8 Elaborate on one pastoral issue treated by Nick Wagner in The Way of Faith.
November 12 Read Nick Wagner: The Way of Faith: A Field Guide for the RCIA Process, pages 84-195. Before midnight post on the course website Assignment #9 Describe: "Baptismal Spirituality."
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| 8:15 to noon | Presentation of "End of the Course Reflection Points" 1. Overview of the Rites: a) The General Introduction to the Revised Rites of Initiation. b) The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. c) The National Statutes for the Catechumenate. d) The Rite of Baptism for Children. e) The Rite of Confirmation. i31 Christian Initiation of Adults |
| noon to 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 to 4:30 | DVD: Infant Baptism |
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The hoped for outcomes of the course are:
1. A deeper appreciation of the role of the Sacraments of Initiation in Christian Spirituality as we try to live the Paschal Mystery.
2. A familiarity with the current rituals, their vocabulary, structure, and meaning
3. An understanding of the history, structure, and function of the rites of initiation.
4. Insight into the unity of the Sacraments of Initiation
5. An appreciation of the relation between Initiation and Church.
6. A deeper understanding of redemption, salvation, grace, and original sin.
7. The theological background necessary to enter into contemporary pastoral discussions regarding such issues as the sequence of the sacraments for children, the necessity of Baptism, the minister of Confirmation, the age for first Reconciliation, etc.
8. The ability to prepare and celebrate the liturgical rites in parish settings.
9. The ability to explain the fundamentals of Catholic Initiation theology.
10. An interest in this material which will motivate life-long learning about the Sacraments of Initiation.
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1. Even though the class will meet face-to-face on three Saturdays, the majority of the learning activities will be accomplished at home and on-line. Participants in this course are expected to have: a personal computer or access to a computer; the ability to access websites and download and print files; the ability to send and receive e-mail; and the ability to post essays and enter into discussion on MOODLE.
2. To receive credit for the course, you must be present for all three Saturdays.
3. It will be useful for you to read the three assigned books as soon as you can. Readings are assigned in the syllabus, but this is only for your own time-tracking. It is presumed that each of the participants is an adult learner and will take responsibility for reading and studying the texts, posting the required assignments, and participating in the class discussions, etc.
4. There are nine papers required for the course; each is 10% of the course grade. The other 10% of the grade is based on the quality of your online discussions. Each participant is to post a response to at least three of the postings of your classmates each week. [By the end of the course, I expect that each student will have posted at least 40 substantial entries (autobiography, 9 assignments and 3 x 9 forum discussion comments.]
5. The MOODLE grade book lists your grades numerically; the School Bulletin states that 95 (and above) = A; 94 = A-; 93 = B+; 92 (and lower) =B. [.5 is rounded up]
6. Your postings are presumed to be your original thought unless you indicate otherwise. When quoting someone give the source of the quote and indicate by quotation marks where the quotation begins and ends. Each participant is expect to be familiar with the "Statement on Plagiarism" in the Saint Meinrad Student Handbook.
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| 1. Claire Baker | 6. Kathy Miller |
| 2. Deb Fleck | 7. George Rahman |
| 3. Neil Galbraith | 8. Lane Rhodes |
| 4. Nancy Greenwell | 9. Keri Stevens |
| 5. Ryan Hillman |
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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved. This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own. Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it. This site was updated on 03/19/10 . Your comments on this site are welcome at trichstatter@gmail.com