A three-Saturday course on dismissal catechesis in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) will be held beginning Aug. 3 at Mount St. Mary’s College’s Doheny Campus in Los Angeles.“Dismissal Catechesis 101” will be led by Catherine Shadduck, director of RCIA at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo, and a member of the archdiocesan initiation committee. The dismissal of the Catechumens at the Sunday liturgy (following the homily) and the "dismissal catechesis" that follows (“breaking open” the Scriptures) are at the very heart of the Period of the Catechumenate. This course (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) is designed for dismissal catechists, RCIA directors and team members who want to strengthen dismissal catechesis as an extended Liturgy of the Word which can be integrated into Christian life and catechetical meetings at other times in the week. Additional sessions are scheduled Aug. 10 and 17.The course is part of the Ecclesia Program, Mount St. Mary’s continuing education or professional development program of workshops for church workers. The cost is $180 per person for the entire course. For more information, visit http://www.msmc.la.edu/ecclesia or contact Gail Gresser, (310) 954-4126 or mailto:[email protected]: http://www.msmc.la.edu/ecclesia. On Aug. 31 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), Gresser — MSMC director of Campus Ministry — will lead “Pathway to the Door of Life: An Introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults,” at the Doheny Campus.This workshop, designed for beginning RCIA team members and sponsors, may also be helpful for parish ministers who are looking for a deeper understanding of the Rite and its meaning for the entire community of faith. Participants will be introduced to an overview of this powerful Rite of the Church, and its theology, history and principles. Cost is $25 per person, with a discounted price of $20 per person for groups of five or more registering together. For more information, contact Gresser or visit http://www.msmc.la.edu/PDFFiles/Campus%20Ministry/Gail%20Gresser_%20Pathway.pdf.
