This is a catechetical programme for families of unbaptised children of catechical age.

Contact: Cristina (Potty) Connolly on 020 8949 1670 or E: inigonewmaldenaol [dot] com for further details.

MINICATS- a lighthearted name for a serious matter, the Rite of Initiation for children of catechetical age, to give it its full title. It could not be more official: even if the name "Minicats" - abbreviated from Mini - Catechumens - is original.

So it's New then? Yes and No. We have grown up in a church that baptised babies soon after birth. Adult converts were something of a rarity. Everyone was Christian. But in the early church it was the other way round. Most people were baptised as adults; babies were the exception. Augustine, Basil, Chrysostom - to go no further in the ABC of Saints ­ were all baptised as young adults. But often whole families joined the Church. Hippolytus, describing baptism in the early 200's says: if the children can answer for themselves, let them do so. If not, let their parents speak up for them. Our earliest record of the Minicats! What is new to-day is the growing number of adults who are not baptised at all. An informed estimate for this country is about 500k! No wonder that there is now a steady trickle of adult baptisms at Edge Hill. And sometimes, these adults are parents with unbaptised children.

HOW DOES IT WORK: As the name implies (Mini - Catechumens) it is a gradual process, and takes time. The child is now capable of a personal response to God's invitations - coming through the parents' request and the welcome extended by the parish. The official rite gives an outline of the process and the main liturgies with which it is celebrated, culminating with baptisms. A friendly atmosphere in the weekly meeting is vital. A lively hymn, a scripture story explored , a church teaching teased out and made relevant to their experience - and of course prayer, both formal and spontaneous. The parents play a full part, encouraged by the help of a small group of catechists.

A PERSPECTIVE OF MINICATS FROM Cristina (Potty) Connolly
I consider myself lucky to have been involved in this group the last ten years or so. When first asked whether I would like to help "initiate" families of unbaptised children I was hesitant as I have no formal teaching experience. But I soon realised that "formal teaching" was not the key skill. It is not a formal classroom atmosphere, rather a sharing group, supporting one another and creating a trusting community as expressed in the words of Bernadette Farrell's hymn "Come & Join the Circle". It is a process geared to encourage alienated families back to the community of the parish. Many parents have not had their children baptised as infants for a variety of reasons: never got around to it, drifted away, constantly moving house. Unfortunately, some have been hurt by church officials.

It takes courage to ask for help from the church regarding baptism of older children and the Minicat group provides a gentle way of welcoming and re­introducing families to the faith and to the parish. Parents accompany their children to the meetings and much of the "re-entry" is achieved through explaining the basics of the Mass and discussing the scripture readings in everyday language - making Jesus' teaching accessible and contemporary. Many adults feel uncomfortable coming to Mass after a period of absence and often give up. In the Minicat setting we support each other and grow together. As a helper I have found my own faith has deepened through listening & sharing in the groups. It is a communal growth in the knowledge and love of God through learning to interpret and act on the experiences of our daily lives, our hurts as well as our delights. In this way the children are encouraged to recognise their own God-given gifts and those of others. Their parents too become a living part of this truly Ignatian experience.

How are Minicats recruited ? More often than not it is through word of mouth.

Moreover, what is so encouraging is to see how many families have stuck together in mutual support and helped others in and outside the parish setting by active evangelisation. Some of our past families actively support new members by coming to meetings & visiting them at home. Many of our past Minicats have gone on to become altar servers and have benefited from the parish communion and confirmation programmes. The parents have totally re-integrated and have become a living, vital part of the parish by their newly found confidence of "belonging" and belief in parish community.

Minicats is non-threatening. Nobody is forced or put on the spot and everybody can go along at their own pace, encouraged by the friendly community spirit of the whole group to share & grow in our faith journeys. I, for one, have made many new and valued friends.

A PERSPECTIVE FROM Mary Brennan
How do we in Minicats prepare children of Catechetical Age for the Rite of Initiation? Our aim is to help parents and unbaptised children of catechetical age, to follow Jesus out of love, under the guidance of the Church. Jesus is our model on how to bring the Good News to these families. He proclaimed the Kingdom of God and invited people to join his community We visit families who have contacted us, and invite them to join our community. Often they come through families from previous years.

As the Holy Spirit is the chief agent in the work of evangelisation, no structures or customs are sacred in themselves so adaptation is a key word in Initiation. The medium is the message. The basis of our weekly meetings is to create an environment where are families experience a hospitable, welcoming community, so that they feel the warmth and care of fellow Christians, who together with them are on a journey of faith. Parents are often amazed at their children's innate goodness and spiritual insights, which they say can be so easily overlooked in the busy schedule of 'school runs' and extra curriculum activities.

Hospitality is key because it asks simply that we make room in our lives for other people WHILE THEY ARE PRESENT. Nothing more. Hospitality opens doors to all kinds of possible faith encounters with Jesus. Time is of the essence in this process of maturing in faith and so our weekly meetings allow time for all of us to discover or rediscover, at a deeper level, the wonderful gift of God's loving presence in our own hearts and in our daily lives. We believe God comes to his people through his people, and this happens in our homes, in our Church community and in all other communities to which we belong.

The Rite of Welcome is always a significant moment for families. The full involvement of parents and their prayers for their children can be very moving. We always celebrate each child's birthday and parties are part of our process in the hope that in building a faith community, we will all learn to enjoy our faith. Extending out to the wider parish community is also part of the process of Initiation. Families from previous years are also invited to support new families. The family Mass is another way of helping to build community. This process requires preparation, patience and a sense of humour. We hope that the celebration of the Baptismal Rite is a real experience of being Church. Really, what more beautiful ministry is there than the ministry through which we help others to become aware of the love, truth and beauty they reveal to us.

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