MINICATS
Click here for Minicats by Fr Kevin Donovan
Click here for Minicats by Christina Connolly
Click here for Minicats by Mary Brennnan
From Fr Kevin Donovan SJ
MINICATS- a lighthearted name for a serious matter, the Rite of Initiation for children of catechetical age, to give it its full title. You will find it, with its appropriate outline and ceremonies, in the RCIA book of 1972. 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 atedge Hill. And sometimes, these Adults are parents with unbaptised children.
THE LANDINGS FACTOR: there are other reasons why there is a growing number of young children who are not yet baptised . Perhaps one of the parents was at first opposed to the idea of baptism but has changed their mind. Or the parents may have moved sometimes more than once. Maybe they have lost touch with the church themselves, but their own gradual return (the Landings factor) leads them to ask for baptism. So many different reasons, so many different parents, and all must be listened to with the greatest respect.
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 Go d'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. The rite speaks of the "warm welcome" we must give and the spiritual formation "suitable to their age". It leaves considerable latitude for adapting the process to the age and circumstances of the children and their families. Re essentials are a growing familiarity with the mystery of salvation, the way we celebrate this in the annual round of feasts and Sunday liturgies, the doctrine which expresses salvation and the life of prayer and clarity with which it is lived out. This is the work of a lifetime - but our PRESENT CONCERN is with the far precious months that begin these children's life with Jesus as their friend. So - 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, young as well as old, who themselves have been through the process. It is a happy time and parties play their part in this assimilation of a lively faith. And the greatest of these parties is that which will follow Baptism at a parish Mass during the Easter Season.
Click here for Minicats by Fr Kevin Donovan
Click here for Minicats by Christina Connolly
Click here for Minicats by Mary Brennnan
From Cristina (Potty) Connolly
I consider myself lucky to have been involved in this group the last five 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 knowled ge and love of Go d 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 Go d-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.
Click here for Minicats by Fr Kevin Donovan
Click here for Minicats by Christina Connolly
Click here for Minicats by Mary Brennnan
From Mary Brennan
SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME.....
The vision of evangelisation as proposed by Pope Paul VI in his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelisation in the Modem World' given in Rome on December 8th. 1975, states very clearly that evangelisation will never be possible without the action of the Holy Spirit. Also, we only know we have been evangelised when we go on to evangelise others. Above all it is the work of love that is shown by: 'Respect for the religious and spiritual situation of those being evangelised . Respect for their tempo and pace; no one has the right to force them excessively. Respect for their conscience and convictions, which are not to be treated in a harsh manner. Another sign of this love is concern not to wound the other person, especially if she or he is weak in faith.' No 79.
Pope John Paul 11 in October 1979 wrote an Apostolic Exhortation: 'Catechesis in Our Time'. and in chapter one he states:' the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Trinity.' How, therefore, do we in Mini - Cats 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 Go od News to these families. He proclaimed the Kingdom of Go d and invited people to join his community .In September we visit families who have contacted us, and invite them to join our community. Often they come through families from previous years. These visits are vital for the building of a community of trust and friendship.
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 med ium 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.
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 ten months allows time for all of us to discover or red iscover, at a deeper level, the wonderful gift of Go d's loving presence in our own hearts and in our daily lives. We believe Go d 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.
By looking at and listening to Jesus in the Go spel stories we come to know Jesus and his message. Liturgical celebrations using symbols and movement are key to our weekly sharing. For a child the desire to simply light a candle can be eagerly awaited , and learning that Jesus is the light of the world can be a joyful process.
Music is also at the heart of our celebrations. Bernadette Farrell's beautiful tape 'Share the Light', specially composed for children, is a great favourite with children and parents. Each session includes doctrinal issues, parents and children together involved in prayerful reflection and discussion. Parents are often amazed at their children's innate goodness and spiritual insights, which they say can be so easily overlooked in the busy sched ule of 'school runs' and extra curriculum activities.
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. Elderly parishioners are invited to be prayer sponsors to the children, and to be present at the celebration of Baptism. Families from previous years are also asked to support new families. The family Mass is another way of helping to build community. This process requires preparation, patience and a sense of humor. The welcoming community is a truly collaborative one, involving a priest, lay catechists and a sister. Catechists often come from families who have been through the process, parents and children. 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.
Click here for Minicats by Fr Kevin Donovan
Click here for Minicats by Christina Connolly
Click here for Minicats by Mary Brennnan
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