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The National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ invites parish leaders, initiation ministers, and regional or diocesan trainers to come together to explore the theoretical and practical aspects of initiation ministry. Through interactive sessions, meetings, and prayer opportunities, participants will understand more deeply that the vision of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the vision of the parish as a community of disciples.

The National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ will have three tracks. Parish and Diocesan Leaders (in English), Initiation Catechists (in English), and Catequistas de iniciación (in Spanish). At this event, participants will gain practical sklls, discuss common challenges, and share best practices to enrich their work. An optional pre-gathering forum will be available on July 5, 2021, and will explore "Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Insights for RCIA Adapted for Children." This forum is free for participants but has a limited number of seats-register today!

What's New This Year

• Tracks in English and Spanish!

Registration

Registration for National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ is now open. If you have any questions, please contact us at 800-933-1800. For more information, click here to download an informational brochure.

General Registration, by May 7, 2021            $250

Group Rate: Parishes or Dioceses that register 4+ people $25 discount each registration
Includes lunch for July 6th & 7th.

July 5th Opening Reception        $35
Optional. Includes an open bar. Limited registration.

Register

Registration is also available by mail. Please download, print, and send in the form found in our registration brochure to LTP at 3949 South Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60609.

All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing (letter, fax, or e-mail) by Tuesday, June 1, 2021 for a full refund or by Tuesday, June 15, 2021 for a 75% refund. Cancellation requests after Wednesday, June 15, 2021 will not receive a refund.

Lodging and Accommodations

A limited number of hotel rooms are available at the Hampton Inn Chicago North – Loyola Station for a specially discounted rate of $149.00 per night. This rate is available for those who book before May 27, 2020, for the evenings of July 5, July 6, and July 7. If you would like to add an extra day on July 4, the discounted rate is $169 for that evening. To reserve a room at the Hampton Inn Chicago – Loyola Station, please call 800-426-7866 and mention NGCI-21 or visit http://group.hamptoninn.com/NGCI2020.

There are two types of lodging options available on the campus of Loyola University. These rooms are available on the evenings of July 1 and 2 only. Please note that campus housing amenities are much more limited than typical hotel accomodations. For detailed information, visit https://www.ngci.org/travel#hotel

The Theme for 2021 is The RCIA Adapted for Children

Children of varying ages and levels of faith development come to us seeking Christian initiation. How do we minister to these children and their families? What is the best way to offer each child appropriate catechesis and formation in Christian life? How do we receive children who have been baptized in other Christian traditions into the full communion of the Catholic Church? Join us at the 2021 National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ to find the answers to these and many other questions and to discover parish-tested practices for dealing with diverse pastoral situations.

Goals of the Gathering

  • Participants will deepen their understanding of the Church's vision of the baptismal catechumenate as outlined in Part II.1 of the RCIA ritual text (RCIA adapted for children of catechetical age).
  • Participants will examine the roles of the parish community, the family, companions, and sponsors in order to discern best practices for forming and engaging each group throughout the initiation process.
  • Participants will explore various models of implementing an RCIA process adapted for children and will develop an initial implementation plan.
  • Participants will learn models for effective catechesis and formation of children in the initiation process.

 

Schedule


The schedule for the National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ has been intentionally designed to offer an engaging balance of presentations, prayer, fellowship, discussion, and s focus on the needs and challenges of our specific ministries. The optional opening reception on July 1 will offer the opportunity for networking and fellowship with initiation ministers from around the country.

 

July 5, 2021
2:30 PM - 6:30 PMRegistration
Early check-in will be provided in the lobby of the Hampton Inn.
3 PM - 5 PMOptional Pre-Gathering
(Limited Registrations)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Insights for RCIA Adapted for Children
7 PM - 9 PMOpening Reception
Optional. Tickets are $35. Includes open bar.
July 6, 2021
8:00 AM - 8:50 AMRegistration
9:00 - 9:30Welcome, Morning Prayer, Introductions
9:30 - 10:15General Session
What are we now?
Evaluating the US Landscapes and Assesing the Needs of Your Community
10:15 - 10:30Break
10:30 - 11:30General Session
Christian Initiation of Children:
A Vision for Catechetical Ministry
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMGeneral Session
Forming Parents as Primary Catechists
12:15 - 1:15Lunch Included in registration
1:15 - 2:30Breakout
Parish and Diocesan Leaders
Models of Implementation
Initiation Catechists
The Role of the Catechist (part 1)
Providing Suitable Catechesis
2:30 - 3:00Coffee Break
3:00 - 4:15Breakout Session
Parish and Diocesan Leaders
Structuring a Parish Approach or "Program"
Initition Catechists
The Role of the Catechist (part 2)
Incorporating the Christian Way of Life, Suitable Liturgical Rites, and Apostolic Witness
4:15 - 4:30Break
4:30 - 5:15General Session
Your Role in the Liturgical Rites of the RCIA
5:30- 6:00Ritual Celebration
6:00 PMEnd of Day
Dinner and evening on your own
July 7, 2021
8:00 AM - 8:50 AMOptional Morning Session
Q+A panel with NGCI Team
9:00 - 9:30Morning Prayer and Announcements
9:30 - 10:30General Session
Involving Companions and Sponsors in the Initiation Process
10:30 - 11:00Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:30Training Exercise
Planning for Whole Family Catechesis
12:30 - 1:30Lunch Included in registration
1:30 - 3:00General Session
Initiation of Children in Multicultural Communities
3:00 - 3:30Closing and Prayer

 



The 2021 NGCI Team

Each year, a different team of presenters work together with an LTP representative to plan the major presentations and breakout sessions of the event. Team members have been invited not only because of their understanding of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the Church’s mission of evangelization, but also because of their vast parish and diocesan experience. As a true collaboration, the individual gifts and ministerial experience of each team member will shape the NGCI experience.

 

Rita Burns Senseman

Rita Burns Senseman

Rita Burns Senseman a catechist who specializes in the Christian initiation of young people. She currently serves as the pastoral associate and director of religious education at St. Benedict Parish in Terre Haute, Indiana. Prior to this position, she served as a team member for the North American Forum on the Catechumenate and as the associate director of the Office of Catechetics/Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She holds a Master of Arts degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of Guide to Adapting the RCIA for Children (LTP 2017), Guía para adaptar el RICA para niños (LTP 2019), and several other books and resources.

Sr. Sandy DeMasi

Sr. Sandy DeMasi SSJ

Sr. Sandy DeMasi, SSJ, is a Sister of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She serves as pastoral associate for liturgy at Saint Rose of Lima, Short Hills, New Jersey, is a consultant/presenter for RCL Benziger Book Company, and a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy. Sr. Sandy served for thirteen years as the director of the Office of Divine Worship in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey and over twenty years as a member of the board of directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commisions. During this time, she served as a consultant for the ICEL subcommittee on the Christian Initiation of Older Children. Sister has a bachelor of science in education from Chestnut Hill College and a master of arts in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame. Her doctor of ministry degree is from the Catholic University of America, and her treatise was titled The Faith and Formation of Adults Who Bring Children for Baptism: A Plan of Liturgy and Catechesis.

Michael Ruzicki

Michael Ruzicki

Michael Ruzicki is the training and events manager at Liturgy Training Publications and the director of music for St. John Berchmans Parish. Before arriving at LTP seven years ago, he served as a member of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, as parish pastoral associate for liturgy for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, as coordinator of adult and sacramental formation, and as director of the archdiocesan music ministry. He is the author of Guide for Training Initiation Ministers: An Introduction to the RCIA (LTP, 2018). He is a graduate of the Catholic University of America and the Washington Theological Union.

Rev. James Burkart

Fr. James Burkart

Fr. James Burkart was ordained to the presbyterate of the Archdioce of Galveston-Houston on May 22, 1993. He serves as the pastor of Christ the Good Shon the board of directors of the Southwest Liturgical Conference (www.swlc.org) and has served as president of the board for several years. He received a bachelor of arts in drama from the University of Houston in 1988, a master of divinity from the University of St. Thomas in Houston in 1993, a master of arts in theological studies (systematic theology) from the University of St. Thomas in Houston in 1995, and a master of arts in theological studies (liturgy) from the Unoversity of Notre Dame du Lac in 2004.

Fr. James is a presenter for both the English and Spanish tracks of NGCI



Lia Salinas

Lia Salinas

Lia Salinas currently serves as director for Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She has previously served as coordinator of Hispanic catechesis for the Archdiocese of Washington and as director of religious education at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Diocese of Arlington and at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the Archdioces of Miami. Lia is a native of El Salvador and has worked in Catholic ministry for the last wernty years. She has received certification as director of religious education from Steubenville University and a bachelor's degree of theological studies from Saint Joseph's College in Maine, and she is currently finishing a master's degree in pastoral theology.

Lia is a presenter for the Spanish track of NGCI



Feliciano Tapia

Feliciano Tapia

Feliciano Tapia is a liturgical training consultant with Liturgy Training Publications (LTP), serving Hispanic ministry. He has worked on the diocesan and regional levels in the Church as well as with national organizations, both pastoral and academic. He comes with extensive pastoral experience in multicultural parish ministries. Faith formation, leadership training, and teaching-learning processes are his passion. He has a solid formation in philosophy, practical theology, and pedagogy, and is author of Manual de Proclamadores and Palabra de Dios with LTP. Feliciano has his bachelor of arts in philosophy and human letters from Universidad del Valle de Atemajac, a certificate in education from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, and a master of divinity from Universidad Pontificia de México.

Feliciano is a presenter for the Spanish track of NGCI