This month’s Dinner and a Movie begins to address resources for RCIA. We have reviewed several general videos on RCIA. They are listed below. However, the RCIA process covers so many areas, we can’t list all the resources we have that could be used. We have set a sampling of those resources out for you to peruse. Please, also check the AV catalog for additional videos on specific topics.

Videos shown during the group session of tonight’s Dinner and a Movie are marked with J

VIDEOS SHOWN DURING MOVIE AND DINNER
J VC 6552 Adult 30 min	This is the Night Liturgy Training Publications, 1992 The Easter Vigil crowns the many celebrations that mark the journey a parish makes with those who wish to join it in faith. We follow the elect and candidates of St. Pius V Parish in Pasadena, Texas as they and the parish celebrate the third scrutiny during Lent. From their baptisms and receptions at the vigil to Easter Sunday morning, these people and their sponsors, initiation team members, parish staff members, and parishioners reflect on their experiences of Christian initiation. This parish celebrates the Eater sacraments with full expression of the rites and symbols.
J VC 6402 Adult 15 min	An Invitation to New Life: The RCIA Described Paulist Press, 1991 This video captures the Spirit of the RCIA. Devoid of "churchy" language, the inquirer is told what the RCIA is all about in a manner which is understandable and inspirational. We see the process unfold, witness the community and personal dimensions, and challenged to go on an inner journey which leads to true conversion.	COMMENTS: Good overview of this process in the Catholic Church. Included are the periods of time in the process, the role of the sponsor, the rites, and an explanation of each.
J VC 7091 Adult 450 min	Exploring the Teaching of Christ (4^th Edition) Our Sunday Visitor, 1996 Wuerl prepared in conjunction with the Secretariats of Education and Communications from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. This program is fundamental adult formation in faith for all Catholics to help us reflect together on what binds us as one and makes us God’s people. The program consists of a basic text, The Teaching of Christ, fourth edition, video presentations, a participant book and a leader’s guide. Other resources that parishes have on hand, such as the Sacramentary, an appropriate Bible and common hymns are suggested for different aspects of the program. The videos consist of a 5-minute introductory video and 5 additional videos with 30 15-minute lessons. Lessons include such topics as Invitation to Faith, Seeking God, God the Creator, Images of God, The Mystery of Evil, Who Jesus Is, Jesus’ Public Life, Mary, the Mother of God, Jesus Died for Us, Jesus Rose From the Dead, The Holy Spirit, The Holy Trinity, They Church, Christ, the Teacher, Christ Teaching Today, New Life, Christ’s Plan for Life, Conscience, Virtues, The Gift of Life, Building a Good and Just Society, Vocations and Ecumenism, Prayer: Private and Liturgical, Sacramental Life, The Eucharist, Priesthood, Sacraments of Initiation, The Sacraments of Healing, Christian Marriage, The Fulfillment of All The format of this video series in presented in seven steps: 1. Opening Prayer 2. Introduction to the lesson 3. Presentation of the Faith Message 4, Discussion questions 5. Life experiences 6. Summary 7. Closing Prayer The leader’s guide gives a detailed lesson/facilitator plan for each lesson. Suggested uses are adult faith formation, RCIA, and Small Faith Communities.
VC 6137 Adult 45 min	Becoming an R.C.I.A. Sponsor Paulist Productions, 1987 In this video we explore the role of the sponsor in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The first part is the personal experience of two women - one a sponsor and the other a catechumen. The second part explores the meaning of the RCIA with insights into the sponsor/candidate relationship. Part three presents four sponsors from different backgrounds and parishes.	*COMMENTS*: Video is in segments. Discussion questions are given after each segment. Information is good. Clothes somewhat dated.
VC 6139 Adult 31 min	RCIA: Journey Through Easter Brown/Roa Media (now Harcourt Religion), 1986 This program is designed to introduce viewers to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Viewers are brought to an awareness that the RCIA is more than "convert classes"; it involves a journey of conversion and faith. There is a special focus on the Easter Vigil and its significance to catechumens.	COMMENTS: Information good. Clothing dated
VC 6189 Adult 40 min	Becoming an R.C.I.A. Catechist Paulist Press, 1987 Karen Hinman Powell, an acknowledged RCIA expert, presents the elements necessary for effective pre-catechumenate and catechumenate sessions. Questions at the heart of the RCIA faith-sharing process are shared.	COMMENTS: Information good. Clothing dated
VC 6328 Adult 90 min	John Shea’s Stories Acta Publications, 1989 The Reader's Theatre of the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago performs twelve of Fr. Shea's excellent "stories of God". Fr. Shea introduces each one and follows up with questions for discussion. These stories would make excellent discussion starters for various lesson plans. The stories of God are: The Father of Ice Cream - The love of a father for his five children is glimpsed in an ice cream parlor Martha The Good - A woman who volunteers in a soup kitchen for the homeless must now care for an alcoholic father-in-law in her own home. The Penny Planter - A young girl tries to overcome summer boredom by planting pennies for passersby to find. Twenty Goes Into Fifty A Hundredfold - Big Gerry learns a lesson from Little Gerry at the supermarket on the day before Thanksgiving. Lord Loves A Duck - Condominium owners learn a "white bread" lesson about the limits of generosity. Let Them Be Who They Will Be - A father loves two sons - a calculating prodigal one and a resentful faithful one. The Star-Gazer - A father looks to the stars through his telescope and misses the daughter at his feet. Blame It On Al - Three friends discuss the reasons for Al's sudden demise. Cro-Magnon Man - A teenage refreshment counter girl brings joy to a rather large teenage boy. The Cigar Smoker - A man tries to enjoy his cigar while sitting next to a little girl and her mother on an airplane. A Down And Out Disciple Meets His Match - Jesus visits one of his disciples and shares insights and a bowl of popcorn. The Mother Of Soda Bread - A mother teaches her daughter a secret recipe but forgets to include the key ingredient.
VC 6420 S/A 100 min	RCIA Starter Stories Liguori Publications, 1991 Two Volume series. Sharing one's faith during the RCIA process takes courage and trust. It's human nature to wait for someone else to break the ice or go first. These two videos contain a variety of short vignettes that portray life experiences. The stories have been chosen for their topical value, brevity, and depth in order to encourage the faith sharing process in groups.
VC 6451 47 min Adult	R.C.I.A. Process Sheed and Ward, 1991 An overview of the Order of Christian Initiation is presented. Part 1. Journey of Faith - Review of the process of the catechumenate and rituals. Part 2. Role of the Sponsor: Companion on the Journey - Shows us how sponsors are persons who have known and assisted the candidates and stand as witnesses to the candidates' moral character, faith, and intention. Clear description of the sponsor responsibilities is given.	COMMENTS: Information good. Hair/clothing dated. Good ideas for recruiting sponsors are included
VC 6457 Adult 135 min	The Catechumenate for Children Tabor, 1991 (now RCL) This in-depth two-tape series conveys information about the spirit of initiating children into the Church community. As a result, parents and catechists will grasp the important goal the catechumenate strives to achieve - dedicated Christians of all ages. Tape 1 covers an overview of the RCIA and the Pre-catechumenate and Catechumenate for children. Five 15 minute segments. Tape 2 covers the time from the Period of Purification and Enlightenment through Easter and Mystagogia. Four 15 minute segments
VC 6477 Adult 13 min	Journey of Conversion Liturgical Press, 1988 The journey to God and into our inner being is the theme of the video. The journey of conversion is an on-going process in the lives of all Christians, not just converts. By entering into the conversion process, we come through our times of darkness with a renewed sense of joy and a deeper understanding of the Easter mystery. Conversation is identified as being the “tug of God.” This program touches Christians at every stage in the conversion process; Confirmation, RCIA, or any period of transition or crisis. It is especially appropriate for use during retreats and with themes of conversion.	COMMENTS: Clothes are dated, but the tone is reflective and the message is timeless.
VC 6808 Adult 33 min	Becoming Catholic: An Adult’s Faith Journey St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1995 This presentation is a multi-faceted resource. There are four segments devoted to a single topic, helping viewers approach that topic through story, testimony, teaching, and music/video imagery. Individuals can reflect on their personal faith experience against the backdrop of the Church's Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).	COMMENTS: Good. Gives breaks with discussion questions.

VIDEOS SHOWN DURING MOVIE AND DINNER

Video Number

Video Name/Description

Notes

VC 6552

Adult

30 min

This is the Night

Liturgy Training Publications, 1992

The Easter Vigil crowns the many celebrations that mark the journey a parish makes with those who wish to join it in faith. We follow the elect and candidates of St. Pius V Parish in Pasadena, Texas as they and the parish celebrate the third scrutiny during Lent. From their baptisms and receptions at the vigil to Easter Sunday morning, these people and their sponsors, initiation team members, parish staff members, and parishioners reflect on their experiences of Christian initiation. This parish celebrates the Eater sacraments with full expression of the rites and symbols.

VC 6402

Adult

15 min

An Invitation to New Life: The RCIA Described

Paulist Press, 1991

This video captures the Spirit of the RCIA. Devoid of "churchy" language, the inquirer is told what the RCIA is all about in a manner which is understandable and inspirational. We see the process unfold, witness the community and personal dimensions, and challenged to go on an inner journey which leads to true conversion.

COMMENTS:

Good overview of this process in the Catholic Church. Included are the periods of time in the process, the role of the sponsor, the rites, and an explanation of each.

VC 7091

Adult

450 min

Exploring the Teaching of Christ (4^th Edition)

Our Sunday Visitor, 1996

Wuerl prepared in conjunction with the Secretariats of Education and Communications from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

This program is fundamental adult formation in faith for all Catholics to help us reflect together on what binds us as one and makes us God’s people. The program consists of a basic text, The Teaching of Christ, fourth edition, video presentations, a participant book and a leader’s guide. Other resources that parishes have on hand, such as the Sacramentary, an appropriate Bible and common hymns are suggested for different aspects of the program.

The videos consist of a 5-minute introductory video and 5 additional videos with 30 15-minute lessons. Lessons include such topics as Invitation to Faith, Seeking God, God the Creator, Images of God, The Mystery of Evil, Who Jesus Is, Jesus’ Public Life, Mary, the Mother of God, Jesus Died for Us, Jesus Rose From the Dead, The Holy Spirit, The Holy Trinity, They Church, Christ, the Teacher, Christ Teaching Today, New Life, Christ’s Plan for Life, Conscience, Virtues, The Gift of Life, Building a Good and Just Society, Vocations and Ecumenism, Prayer: Private and Liturgical, Sacramental Life, The Eucharist, Priesthood, Sacraments of Initiation, The Sacraments of Healing, Christian Marriage, The Fulfillment of All

The format of this video series in presented in seven steps:

1. Opening Prayer

2. Introduction to the lesson

3. Presentation of the Faith Message

4, Discussion questions

5. Life experiences

6. Summary

7. Closing Prayer

The leader’s guide gives a detailed lesson/facilitator plan for each lesson.

Suggested uses are adult faith formation, RCIA, and Small Faith Communities.

VC 6137

Adult

45 min

Becoming an R.C.I.A. Sponsor

Paulist Productions, 1987

In this video we explore the role of the sponsor in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The first part is the personal experience of two women - one a sponsor and the other a catechumen. The second part explores the meaning of the RCIA with insights into the sponsor/candidate relationship. Part three presents four sponsors from different backgrounds and parishes.

COMMENTS:

Video is in segments. Discussion questions are given after each segment. Information is good. Clothes somewhat dated.

VC 6139

Adult

31 min

RCIA: Journey Through Easter

Brown/Roa Media (now Harcourt Religion), 1986

This program is designed to introduce viewers to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Viewers are brought to an awareness that the RCIA is more than "convert classes"; it involves a journey of conversion and faith. There is a special focus on the Easter Vigil and its significance to catechumens.

COMMENTS:

Information good. Clothing dated

VC 6189

Adult

40 min

Becoming an R.C.I.A. Catechist

Paulist Press, 1987

Karen Hinman Powell, an acknowledged RCIA expert, presents the elements necessary for effective pre-catechumenate and catechumenate sessions. Questions at the heart of the RCIA faith-sharing process are shared.

COMMENTS:

Information good. Clothing dated

VC 6328

Adult

90 min

John Shea’s Stories

Acta Publications, 1989

The Reader's Theatre of the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago performs twelve of Fr. Shea's excellent "stories of God". Fr. Shea introduces each one and follows up with questions for discussion. These stories would make excellent discussion starters for various lesson plans. The stories of God are:

The Father of Ice Cream - The love of a father for his five children is glimpsed in an ice cream parlor

Martha The Good - A woman who volunteers in a soup kitchen for the homeless must now care for an alcoholic father-in-law in her own home.

The Penny Planter - A young girl tries to overcome summer boredom by planting pennies for passersby to find.

Twenty Goes Into Fifty A Hundredfold - Big Gerry learns a lesson from Little Gerry at the supermarket on the day before Thanksgiving.

Lord Loves A Duck - Condominium owners learn a "white bread" lesson about the limits of generosity.

Let Them Be Who They Will Be - A father loves two sons - a calculating prodigal one and a resentful faithful one.

The Star-Gazer - A father looks to the stars through his telescope and misses the daughter at his feet.

Blame It On Al - Three friends discuss the reasons for Al's sudden demise.

Cro-Magnon Man - A teenage refreshment counter girl brings joy to a rather large teenage boy.

The Cigar Smoker - A man tries to enjoy his cigar while sitting next to a little girl and her mother on an airplane.

A Down And Out Disciple Meets His Match - Jesus visits one of his disciples and shares insights and a bowl of popcorn.

The Mother Of Soda Bread - A mother teaches her daughter a secret recipe but forgets to include the key ingredient.

VC 6420

S/A

100 min

RCIA Starter Stories

Liguori Publications, 1991

Two Volume series. Sharing one's faith during the RCIA process takes courage and trust. It's human nature to wait for someone else to break the ice or go first. These two videos contain a variety of short vignettes that portray life experiences. The stories have been chosen for their topical value, brevity, and depth in order to encourage the faith sharing process in groups.

VC 6451

47 min

Adult

R.C.I.A. Process

Sheed and Ward, 1991

An overview of the Order of Christian Initiation is presented.

Part 1. Journey of Faith - Review of the process of the catechumenate and rituals.

Part 2. Role of the Sponsor: Companion on the Journey - Shows us how sponsors are persons who have known and assisted the candidates and stand as witnesses to the candidates' moral character, faith, and intention. Clear description of the sponsor responsibilities is given.

COMMENTS:

Information good. Hair/clothing dated. Good ideas for recruiting sponsors are included

VC 6457

Adult

135 min

The Catechumenate for Children

Tabor, 1991 (now RCL)

This in-depth two-tape series conveys information about the spirit of initiating children into the Church community. As a result, parents and catechists will grasp the important goal the catechumenate strives to achieve - dedicated Christians of all ages.

Tape 1 covers an overview of the RCIA and the Pre-catechumenate and Catechumenate for children. Five 15 minute segments.

Tape 2 covers the time from the Period of Purification and Enlightenment through Easter and Mystagogia. Four 15 minute segments

VC 6477

Adult

13 min

Journey of Conversion

Liturgical Press, 1988

The journey to God and into our inner being is the theme of the video. The journey of conversion is an on-going process in the lives of all Christians, not just converts. By entering into the conversion process, we come through our times of darkness with a renewed sense of joy and a deeper understanding of the Easter mystery. Conversation is identified as being the “tug of God.” This program touches Christians at every stage in the conversion process; Confirmation, RCIA, or any period of transition or crisis. It is especially appropriate for use during retreats and with themes of conversion.

COMMENTS:

Clothes are dated, but the tone is reflective and the message is timeless.

VC 6808

Adult

33 min

Becoming Catholic: An Adult’s Faith Journey

St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1995

This presentation is a multi-faceted resource. There are four segments devoted to a single topic, helping viewers approach that topic through story, testimony, teaching, and music/video imagery. Individuals can reflect on their personal faith experience against the backdrop of the Church's Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

COMMENTS:

Good. Gives breaks with discussion questions.