This presentation outlines the rationale behind the Vancouver Archdiocese' initiative to establish a RCIA Coordinators Network, for idea/best practice sharing, mutual encouragement, and developing sharing resources.

1. RCIA Renewal Project

2. Across North America, RCIA appears to have a relatively limited
effectiveness in producing life-long Catholic disciples. Various
RCIA leaders in North America have claimed that over 50% of new
Catholics are longer practicing the faith one to two years after
receiving the Sacraments. some have claimed that 80% no longer
practice four to five years after receiving the Sacraments.
If this claim is true, and if Vancouver also experiences a 50% loss of
new Catholics, we should seek to understand why this is so and
work to retain more of our new Catholic brothers and sisters.
Until recently, no study had been done on RCIA’s long-term
effectiveness within the Vancouver Archdiocese. In May 2016 the
Pastoral Centre launched an initial study that explored retention
and active involvement rates of RCIA-initiated adults over the last 3
years.
INITIAL RESEARCH:
RCIA in the Vancouver Archdiocese
“In response to this apparent decline
in practising the faith, at my
direction the Ministries and
Outreach team at the John Paul II
Pastoral Centre will be assessing our
RCIA.”
- Archbishop J. Michael Miller’s letter to
Pastors (re: RCIA Survey), April 6, 2016)

3. Attending
Active
75%
48%
2 Years Later
61%
37%
100%
Initiated Attending
1 Year LaterEaster Vigil
Active
Over a quarter of catechumens/candidates in the
Archdiocese of Vancouver are leaving their
practice of the faith within a year of their
reception into the Church.
2 years after initiation
38% of new Catholics no longer attend Mass.
Only a third of now Catholics are active in their
parish communities (above and beyond Sunday
Mass).
Over 40%
INITIAL RESEARCH:
RCIA in the Vancouver Archdiocese

4. Which parishes are
beating the trend?
Even among this group there is a wide variety of
approaches in curriculum and activities used in the
RCIA process.
 Parishes with more success in engaging neophytes in
their communities long term
 Parishes that use a team approach to catechesis
 Parishes who had paid staff coordinating the programs.

5. UNDERLYING FACTORS
Underlying factors identified as contributing to lower
perseverance rates in the Vancouver Archdiocese
Lack of Evangelization
There is often a lack of actual
evangelization and conversion prior
to a person’s entrance into RCIA, and
often a lack of experienced sense of
belonging in parish community life
after the completion of RCIA.
Limited Resources
Trained and equipped leaders are
often lacking for running a quality
RCIA program, often leaving an
already busy pastor to be the
coordinator. 50% of Vancouver’s RCIA
Coordinators are in fact the parish
pastor. Very few parishes employ staff
who are able to coordinate ministries
such as RCIA, leading to a lower level
of programming excellence.
Wide Inconsistency
There exist widely different views
of what a ‘best practice’ RCIA
process looks like, including what
leads to life-long conversion and
communion in the Catholic
church, and what qualifies a
person to be ‘ready’ for RCIA or
‘ready’ to receive the Sacraments.

6. We also interviewed other parishes and
diocesan offices, in search of best practices…
St. Benedict's Parish, Halifax, NS
St. Mary’s Parish, Ottawa, ON
St. Raymond de Penafort Parish, Mt. Prospect, IL
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Des Moines, IA
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Diocese of Lansing, MI
Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, IL
Diocese of Saskatoon, SK
Diocese of Seattle, WA
St. Mary’s Catholic Center, Texas A&M University, TX
John Paul II Centre for Evangelization, Milwaukee, WI
Neocatechumenal Way, Vancouver, BC
Representatives from the following parishes, diocese
and ministries were interviewed by our research
committee regarding their approach to evangelization
and RCIA.
Once interviews were complete, the Research team met to
identify key themes, principles and best practices. We
identified the following characteristics as common to
vibrant ministries:
• Prioritize intercessory prayer
• Offers RCIA as an ongoing process, year-round Inquiry,
accommodates for various stages of spiritual readiness
• Strong emphasis on evangelism/discipleship ministry
• Conceive of RCIA as one stage in a broader discipleship journey,
along with other overlapping discipleship ministries.
• Moved from classroom to holistic apprenticeship model
• The need for a well-developed, spiritually mature RCIA team
• RCIA as opportunity for the healing and rebuilding of families

7. This research led to the realization that change is necessary
within RCIA ministry in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
But where to begin?
As we grappled with what would be necessarily to bring
about long-term, successful growth for RCIA ministries
across the Archdiocese, we arrived at the conclusion that
one thing would first be necessary: RCIA Coordinators would
need to begin communicating with each other, again.
In the past, an informal Network existed among RCIA
Coordinators that helped bring a sense of shared purpose,
camaraderie, information sharing and effective change
management.
For a variety of reasons, this network faded and regular
inter-communication has been non-existent for some time.
This has not helped our Coordinators stay encouraged or
continue improving their ministry leadership
With this awareness, we propose the re-establishment of an
RCIA Coordinators Network as the first strategic step
towards RCIA renewal.
FIRST THINGS
FIRST

8. PROJECT GOAL:
The establishment of a vibrant RCIA Coordinators Network, supported by
new metrics and tools, led by a grass-roots leadership team.
 Facilitate fresh idea sharing
 Nurture ‘best practices’ in the diocese
 Build a common vision among Coordinators
 Improve communications on all levels
 Provide fellowship and personal/leadership formation
 Support collaborative parish RCIA efforts
 Encourage greater integration of RCIA in parish life
 Inspire excellence
“Networking is about sharing, not
taking. It is about forming trust
and helping one another toward
goals.”

9. Why we believe being networked
to other Coordinators will help
your ministry!
Not being alone
Encouragement and support
through the spiritual camaraderie
developed with your ministry
counterparts.
Friendship with other RCIA
Coordinators, and a safe,
confidential setting to share your
triumphs and challenges.
Ideas for improvement
The chance to practically improve your
RCIA ministry leadership by learning
from others what has and hasn’t
worked.
Access to new forms and training
materials designed by Coordinators, for
Coordinators, assisting with each stage
of the RCIA process.
Make change happen
Contribute meaningfully to an
Archdiocese-wide RCIA learning
and improvement process, helping
change the face of our church and
increase the numbers of life-long
disciples.

10. The role of the Archdiocesan
Pastoral Centre in this Network
▪ The Archdiocese will not dictate a universal
curriculum or program.
▪ The Archdiocese will assist in communicating and
supporting best RCIA practices, not mandate or
implement a particular model.
▪ RCIA Network support will become a function of the
M&O office, but will the Network will be primarily
led and facilitated by a volunteer leadership team.

11. We want your input
1. What are the top 3 reasons you would join an RCIA coordinators network?
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2. What do you think are the key issues facing RCIA ministries in parishes today, with which a
Coordinators Network could provide assistance and support?
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3. How would you improve upon this proposal? What ideas or suggestions come to mind?
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