It takes a community to welcome a new Catholic Christian as much as it takes a village to raise a child. Liturgists and catechists, musicians and lectors, ministers of pastoral care and of hospitality – and all the members of a faith community – are essential to the process of Christian initiation.

The Christian Initiation Certificate Program, offered by LMU Extension, provides a thorough introduction to the complexity and richness of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), its history and its theology. Participants in this program will have opportunities to develop and assess practical skills needed to assist those seeking baptism as well as the baptized seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Emphasis will also be placed upon how the Initiation of some is linked to the spiritual development of the entire faith community.

This program is designed for anyone involved in initiation ministry, newcomers and veterans, initiation team members and sponsors. All other parish ministers seeking a deeper understanding of the central role of Christian initiation in their own ministries and in the life of the community are also welcome. This in-depth look at the RCIA is intended to complement the Advanced Certification Program of the Office for Worship of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

TUITION:

$295 per semester, plus books.  Program is two semesters.

This course will meet one Saturday per month, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Loyola Marymount University. For a map and directions, see www.lmu.edu

INSTRUCTOR:

Gail Gresser, M.A., is Director of Campus Ministry at Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles. She has extensive experience in the area of Christian Initiation and liturgy. For many years she was a member of the Initiation Committee of the Office for Worship in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She is currently also the Coordinator of the Ministry Leadership program for the Center for Religion and Spirituality at LMU Extension. She holds a Masters in Psychological Anthropology from UCLA and a Masters in Theology from Loyola Marymount University.

C.E. CREDIT:

Participants who complete this two-semester certificate program will earn a total of 5.0 Continuing Education Units.

For More Information:

please contact the instructor:

Gail Gresser
Email: ggresser@lmu.edu

or the Center for Religion and Spirituality:

Robert Hurteau, Phd, Director

Cynthia Bond, MA (Cand.), Assistant Director

Phone: 310-338-2799
Fax: 310-338-2706
Email: CRS@lmu.edu

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

• The history and theology of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
• Respecting varieties of religious traditions
• Preparing the baptized for Full Communion
• The role of families and sponsors
• The initiation of children
• The Steps and Stages of Initiation
• The Period of Inquiry (Precatechumenate)
• The Rite of Acceptance (Entry into the Catechumenate)
• The Period of the Catechumenate
• Discernment for Election
• The Rite of Election
• The Period of Enlightenment (The “Lenten Retreat”)
• The celebration of the Easter Vigil and the Sacraments of Initiation
• The Period of Mystagogy
• The ministry of the Assembly