Catechumenate Period

RCIA Resources for the Catechumenate Period

Licenses on this page:
Our RCIA resources for the Catechumenate Period may be used indefinitely without the need to renew your distribution license, as long as you continue to use them only in RCIA in one parish. (For additional uses in the parish, please order a Whole Parish License when available or additional Small Group Licenses. For example, handouts ordered for RCIA may be used year after year, but for unlimited printing throughout your parish, the Whole Parish License is required.)

 

Breaking Open the Word of Faith for December
Breaking Open the Word of Faithpreview

Sunday discussion hand-outs: Emailed monthly, they include a reflection on the Sunday readings from Mass with discussion questions and an editable zone for adding your own RCIA information. To order by the week instead of by the year, order from the Liturgical Calendar.

$120 annual subscription (Less than $16/month!)

Save $$ by ordering everything below bundled as one package!
$390 (Value: $425) To order all resources for the Catechumenate Period listed below, check this box only.

The Call to Discipleship for the Catechumenate Period
The Call to Discipleship

$25 PowerPoint Presentation with hand-outs

Description: Appropriate for the ending of the Inquiry Period or the beginning of the Catechumenate Period. Ties together Creation, Original Sin, Christ, Baptism, and our call to holiness. Comes with a Catechist Guide and class hand-out that outlines the PPT.

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Salvation History: From Adam and Eve to Jesus and Mary
Salvation History: From Adam and Eve to Jesus and Mary

$40 PowerPoint Presentation with hand-outs

Description: A good introduction to the Bible for the Catechumenate Period. It shows how the Bible tells the story of mankind’s need for and journey to salvation, culminating in Mary as the Second Eve and Jesus, the Second Adam, as the long-awaited Messiah. Includes maps. It shows how Jesus was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. Covers all the key Old Testament figures: Abraham, Moses, the prophets, etc., illustrated by photos of the Holy Land. Comes with a Catechist Guide and class hand-out that outlines the PPT.

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The Nature and Function of the Church for the Catechumenate Period
The Nature and Function of the Church

$25 PowerPoint Presentation

Description: Ideal for early in the Catechumenate Period of RCIA, this class is an introduction or easy overview of the founding of the Church, the Apostolic Succession, Scripture and Sacred Tradition, the 7 Sacraments, and the Mission of the Catholic Church. It has enough depth to provide good, solid information, yet it’s short enough to be presented in an hour with time for class participation. Comes with a Catechist Guide.

  • The Church was founded by Christ to lead all believers to heaven.
  • The Apostolic Succession has continued the leadership of Christ.
  • Revelation by Scripture and Tradition is how Jesus continues to reveal himself.
  • The 7 Sacraments are gifts through which Jesus continues to purify us.
  • The Mission of the Church is the mission of Christ continuing to lead people to heaven.

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Who's Who in the Catholic Church for the Catechumenate Period
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church

$30 PowerPoint Presentation with hand-outs

Description: Teaches the institutional, hierarchical structure and organization of the Catholic Church and the roles of everyone from the Pope to the Laity. Designed for the Catechumenate Period of RCIA, it comes with a Catechist Guide, a class hand-out of definitions, and “The List of Popes“.

  • What is the Church?
  • Who is the head of the Church? (Answer: Jesus)
  • Why Peter was the first pope
  • What is the Pope – the Vatican – the College of Bishops
  • The purpose of the Magisterium
  • The meaning of the Pope’s infallibility
  • The roles of archbishop, bishop, priest, pastor, deacon, and laity
  • What is a diocesan priest, religious priest, brother, sister, nun, monk?
  • What is a Papal Nuncio, Episcopal Conference, Cardinal?
  • How and why it all works together.

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The List of Popes handout only (RCIA License)
This is included in the PPT package. Add to the order only if you want copies for other uses in the parish or do not want the PPT.
$10

Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation
Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation

$35 PowerPoint Presentation with hand-outs

Description: Includes an opening prayer with an embedded video meditation. Comes with a Catechist Guide and the hand-out “Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation” for the Catechumenate Period.

  • Why do we need this Sacrament?
  • Why do we need a Sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism?
  • Is it scriptural?
  • What happens during Confession?
  • Why do we need to confess to a priest?
  • How does it affect our lives?
  • And more!

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Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation handout only (RCIA License)
This is included in the PPT package. Add to the order only if you want copies for other uses in the parish or do not want the PPT.
$10 Parish Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Christ's True Presence in the Mass
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist

$30 PowerPoint Presentation

Description: PowerPoint Presentation for the Catechumenate Period covers how Christ reveals himself throughout the Mass to transform us into his likeness. Comes with a Catechist Guide.

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Add this companion piece for enhanced value:

Behold! The Eucharist is the Lamb of God preview
Leaflet explains the True Presence of Jesus in all parts of the Mass. Not included in the PPT package.
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

The Ministry of Angels: Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels
The Ministry of Angels:
Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels preview

Description: Invites discussion and reflection on: What kind of relationship do you have with your personal angels? Do you realize that the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael know who you are and, because of this, they want to be involved in God’s plans for you? This leaflet separates the Church’s teaching on angels from other myths and popular New Age ideas of angels.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Our Guardian Angels handout for the Catechumenate Period
Our Guardian Angels preview

Description: Invites discussion and reflection on: You are so important to God that he has assigned an angel to you, which you share with no one else, to help you throughout your life. This angel has a name. This angel has been fulfilling it’s responsibilities to you all along, in ways that you can’t even imagine.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints Day handout for the Catechumenate Period
Celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints Daypreview

Description: Explains Church doctrine about sainthood, the communion of saints, and the unifying significance of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, in the context of the reader’s own calling to be holy. Uses the scriptures from the Solemnity of All Saints Day and teaches the value of meditating on the Beatitudes.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Defining Purgatory for the Catechumenate Period
Defining Purgatorypreview

Description: Printable 4-page booklet (double-side on 2 sheets of paper) explains Church doctrine using scriptures and quotes by Saints.

  • What does the Catholic Church teach about the after-life?
  • What is Purgatory?
  • Does God’s mercy help those in Purgatory?
  • Is there any joy in Purgatory?
  • How long does it take?
  • Can we help souls in Purgatory?
  • Can we shorten our own time in Purgatory?

PDF to print for hand-outs
$15 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$30 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Why Pray for Souls in Purgatory? handout for the Catechumenate Period
Why Pray for Souls in Purgatory?preview

Description: Explains Church doctrine about why we commemorate All Souls on November 2nd and why we pray for the dead and offer Masses for them. Give hope to those who are worried about their deceased loved ones.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

The Book of Revelation: Understanding Its Message of Encouragement
The Book of Revelation:
Understanding Its Message of Encouragement preview

Description: This 7-page hand-out explains that the Book of Revelation is a loving, personal message from God. It’s not just about End Times or the Second Coming of Christ; it’s meant to make a difference in our daily lives today. Includes a glossary of the meaning of its symbolism.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$30 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$90 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Seasons of the Liturgical Year handout for the Catechumenate Period
Seasons of the Liturgical Yearpreview

Description: The Liturgical Year is a series of spiritual seasons. Uses Luke 21:29-33 and Revelation 20:1-4,11 to 21:2 to explain what the Church seasons are and the purpose for each in our own spiritual growth.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

PPT on Mary, Our Holy Mother for the Catechumenate Period
Mary, Our Holy Mother

$30 PowerPoint Presentation

Description: This is a comprehensive overview of Catholic dogma about Mary for the Catechumenate Period. It ends with an embedded video of the “Ave Maria” to give your candidates an actual experience of devotion to Mary. Comes with a Catechist Guide.

  • Why Mary is called “Mother of God”
  • Why Mary is called “Mother of the Church”
  • Why Mary is called “Virgin”
  • Why Mary is called “The Second Eve”
  • Why Mary is called “The Immaculate Conception”
  • Why Mary is called “the Church’s most perfect member”
  • Why we believe Mary was “assumed” directly to heaven without experiencing death.

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Add these companion pieces for enhanced value:

The Immaculate Conception of Mary preview
Handout for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary explains grace and the Catholic doctrine about Mary’s conception in the context of celebrating salvation history, the Holy Spirit as Giver of Life, Mary’s motherhood, and more. Not included in the PPT package.
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

The Meaning of the Assumption of Marypreview
Handout explains the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary and relates to our own personal growth in holiness. Not included in the PPT package.
$10 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$20 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Four Traditions of Catholic Prayer for the Catechumenate Period
Four Traditions of Catholic Prayer

$50 PowerPoint Presentation with hand-outs

Description: This presentation not only teaches the why and how of these four Catholic devotions, it also becomes an experience of prayer as it ends with a shortened version of actually praying the Rosary. Instructions include how to prepare a hand-out for praying the Liturgy of the Hours for the beginning of the class session. Comes with a Catechist Guide
and a 7-page booklet on Praying the Rosary that includes answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Rosary, an explanation of how to pray the Rosary, and all four mysteries of the Rosary.

  • Liturgy of the Hours
  • Stations of the Cross
  • Eucharistic Adoration
  • The Rosary

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Praying the Rosary handout only (RCIA License)
This is included in the PPT package. Add to the order only if you want copies for other uses in the parish or do not want the PPT.
$30 Parish Group License
$90 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

Add this companion piece for enhanced value:

Praying the Rosary’s Luminous Mysteries preview
5-page booklet of the same prayers as in the PPT presentation.
$30 RCIA or Other Small Group License
Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF) $90

Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy handout for the Catechumenate Period
Mercy: The Key to God’s Heart
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercypreview

Description: The first page (“Mercy: The Key to God’s Heart“) includes quotes by Pope Francis, short reflections, and prayers. The second page lists the 7 corporal and 7 spiritual works of mercy and includes ideas for how to serve in each type of mercy ministry, relating it to Matthew 25:31-46.

PDF to print for hand-outs
$15 RCIA or Other Small Group License
$30 Bulletin Inserts – Whole Parish License (unlimited printing, PDF)

LICENSE & COPYRIGHT:

 

  • You may not post anything on the internet in any form.
  • The copyright footer of documents must be included on all copies.
  • You may not add to or alter content without requesting and receiving special permission. PowerPoints are protected by a password to ensure that you will always have a good version if the editing goes awry or if someday someone gets their hands on the editable copy and adds things that a future DRE or catechist or pastor does not want there. You may obtain a customizable version, sans password protection, only after purchasing the original, protected version, for an additional equal cost.

Beth Solis, a group facilitator in Oklahoma, says, "Our members asked us in the beginning if we minded taking things slowly so we could have time to really discuss each paragraph. We always have such great discussion! The PPT has been very helpful and is a nice addition."

study group

Feedback from a study group in Florida

Sylvia says, "This experience deepened my love for the Eucharist in ways I couldn’t imagine when we first started this course."

Karen says, "I never thought that I would read an encyclical. However, using the study guide made this experience so rewarding. It broadened my view about the Eucharist and my Catholic faith that makes me love and appreciate what Jesus did for us ever more deeply."

Tim says, "Being the only convert in the group, I ascertained a better and stronger understanding of the importance of the Eucharist, not only in the Mass but also in my daily life."

Jimmy says, "I learned so much about the Eucharist that was powerful and enlightening. This course helped deepen my faith and my appreciation for the Holy Mass."

Erin says, "It was amazing to get everyone’s perspective on the readings. And it deepened my love in the beautiful gift that the Eucharist is to all humanity for our salvation."

Shirley says, "This course was so enlightening. It was a gift that helped me grow in my faith."

Which PowerPoint Presentations cover what Sacraments?

An overview of all 7 sacraments is in the PPT
"The Nature and Function of the Church".

PLUS: The sacraments are also covered in the following PPTs:

Baptism - The Call to Discipleship
& it's further developed in
1. Confession: Sacrament of Healing
2. The Creed
3. Mission of the Redeemer

Eucharist - Christ's True Presence in the Mass
& it's further developed in
1. Life in Jesus
2. Who's Who in the Catholic Church
3. Confession: Sacrament of Healing
4. The Creed

Confirmation - The Sacrament of Confirmation
& it's further developed in
1. Salvation History
2. The Nicene Creed

Reconciliation - Confession: Sacrament of Healing
& it's further developed in
1. Who's Who in the Catholic Church

Anointing of the Sick is covered primarily in
The Nature and Function of the Church

Holy Orders - Who's Who in the Catholic Church
& it's further developed in
1. Christ's True Presence in the Mass

Marriage is touched on in The Call to Discipleship