NAAL Seminars > Christian Initiation

Christian Initiation

Convener

Timothy Fitzgerald
Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church
1401 First Avenue S
Altoona, Iowa 50009
ptfitzger@aol.com

Mission Statement

The seminar explores the historical record and the pastoral experience of Christian initiation, and considers the implications. What is the vision of church, of discipleship, of conversion and of growth implicit in the rites? How do the rites of initiation affirm and also challenge the initiating communities?

2010 Academy Meeting Agenda

Mark Stamm: “Baptism in the United Methodist Church: A baptismal DVD and a baptismal customary (Living into the Covenant)”
Dennis Chriszt: “RC initiatory practices in Tanzania”
Eileen Crowley: On Discerning Disciples by Donna Steffen, SC (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2nd edition, 2004)
Peter McGrail: “Use of the Tridentine rite of confirmation in England”
Anthony Sherman: “The Neo-Catechumenal Way”
Christopher James: “Gathering at the Bath: Toward a Recovery of Baptismal Identity Through the Liturgical Practices of the Church”
Nicholas Denysenko: "The Blessing of the Waters on Theophany and Baptism in the Byzantine Rite"

2009 Academy Meeting Agenda

1. We will follow up on our discussion of the confirmation book Come Spirit of God by Margaret Bick and Catherine Ecker, which we did in their absence at the 2008 meeting in Savannah. Margaret will give us a report as to how their work has been received, and what they have learned from the process.

2. Margaret Schreiber will make a presentation from her research on “Ordo baptismi” in the Bobbio Missal.

3. Peter McGrail will present a paper with the working title, “Current Celebrations of Roman Catholic Confirmation in England using the pre-Vatican II Ritual”. As Peter describes it, “This paper will use ethnographic methods to identify the reasons people are drawn to these celebrations, and participant observation of the event itself.”

4. We will read and discuss Called to Participate by Mark Searle, edited by Barbara Searle and seminar member Anne Koester (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2006). Steve Wilbricht will lead us, perhaps with the assistance of Anne Koester.

5. Paul Turner will present the working translations of some of the presidential prayers for the masses for Christian Initiation from the third edition of the Roman Missal.

6. Timothy Fitzgerald and Vicky Tufano will offer a report on current work of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate.

7. Mark Stamm will present the new United Methodist Church DVD on baptism, entitled Baptism in the United Methodist Church (Nashville: United Methodist Communications). If it is available, he will also provide a short review of Living in the Covenant, a forthcoming United Methodist customary addressing the practice of baptism.

8. Short reports on denominational issues might be presented, such as the following:

A report from Alan Barthel, David Batchelder, and David Gambril on the PCUSA catechumenal project.

Jay Koyle and John Hill on developments in the Anglican Church of Canada.

2008 Academy Meeting Agenda

David Batchelder, “Baptismal Renunciations: Making Promises We Do Not Intend to Keep,” Worship 81:5 (September 2007), 409-425.
Margaret Bick, on Come Spirit of God by Margaret Bick and our 2007 visitor Catherine Ecker. (Please purchase the Family Book (076073) and the Leader’s Guide (076081), each available from Novalis (1-877-702-7773, ext. 239 or resources@novalis.ca or in the US, through LTP (Liturgical Training Publications).
Jerry Galipeau, on his recently published book, Apprenticed to Christ (World Library Publications).
Prayers over the water (i.e., flood prayers) found in our various baptismal rites: Timothy Fitzgerald on the Catholic texts; Theresa DeLisio on the Lutheran texts (ELCA); Tom Rand on the United Methodist text; David Batchelder on the PCUSA text; Alan Barthel on a United Church of Canada prayer text; Jay Koyle on the Anglican Church of Canada text; Clay Morris may wish to make a presentation on the Episcopal Church text.
Dominic Serra on water references (related to justice) within the ritual texts (tentative).
Discussion on “North American Recovery of the Rites of Initiation: Recovery and Embrace” by Dan Benedict.

North American Academy of Liturgy