WASHINGTON, D.C. — This is the time of year parishes have been preparing to welcome new Catholics into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, but the coronavirus has changed how catechumens and candidates are participating in RCIA.
To prevent this pandemic from stopping these people from pursing full entrance into the Church, Charlotte-area based Catholic publisher TAN Books has released a free online version of the Credo RCIA program, which was developed in tandem with the Dominican friars at the Thomistic Institute, based at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington.
Access to the YouTube videos for each lesson and PDFs of both the catechist and catechumen materials are available online through TAN Books and the Thomistic Institute websites. Visit www.tanbooks.com/credo for more information.
Credo is a video program that “carefully teaches participants and catechumens the key tenets of the faith,” said a news release announcing online access.
It is designed to be all-encompassing, covering all topics recommended by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It also can be used with other RCIA programs so leaders can easily pick up wherever their participants left off. Credo can be streamed from anywhere.
In RCIA, catechumens are those have never been baptized, and they receive baptism, confirmation and first Communion at the Easter Vigil. Candidates have already been baptized in another Christian tradition, and they enter the Church through a profession of faith, being confirmed and receiving the Eucharist.
The Thomistic Institute, founded 10 years ago, “seeks to promote Catholic truth in the contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians, especially at top tier universities,” according to a news release.
The institute – thomisticinstitute.org – has over 50 student chapters, including at Harvard, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Duke University and on campuses in Dublin, London and Rome.
— Catholic News Service
Also online
At www.charlottediocese.org/coronavirus-update: Looking for resources to help educate your children in the faith during these unprecedented times? The Diocesan Office for Faith Formation has compiled lots of online catechetical resources to promote at-home faith formation lessons.
HICKORY — Director Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan recently announced important updates for the Catholic Conference Center, a multi-purpose facility featuring overnight accommodations and scenic grounds.
First are three staffing changes. “Over the past couple of months, we’ve assembled some amazing talent to take care of our guests. Even now, during the crisis, they’re diligently working behind the scenes to create the best experience for our guests when events resume,” Deacon Gilfillan said.
Kris Cordes, who spent four years as the center’s executive chef, is now the hospitality manager. In her new role, she will help plan events from conception to completion. “Kris has become known and loved by our guests,” Deacon Gilfillan said. “As executive chef, she graciously greeted each person as they entered the dining area and lovingly accommodated their culinary tastes. We look forward to Kris doing the same as she did in the dining area, now elevating the entire experience a person has when they come to the center.”
Matt Baldwin, who has a culinary degree, is taking over as executive chef. “Matt has had success in opening and operating his own restaurant, he has served as the executive chef with a sailing regatta team, and has had chef and catering positions in a number of restaurants and high-end venues,” Deacon Gilfillan said.
Ashley Dowdy now covers guest services and facilities. “Ashley is a dynamo of talent and perfectly suited to the varied roles she needs to fill,” he noted. “Her skillset includes web design, HVAC repair and carpentry, to name a few. Ashley will be there to handle just about anything that might arise during an event.”
Second, the Catholic Conference Center is also undergoing some updates during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“In the absence of retreats and conferences, we’ve taken advantage of this time to redirect our skills from hospitality to things like painting, sheetrock and carpentry. We think you’ll appreciate our efforts next time you visit,” Deacon Gilfillan said in the center’s latest newsletter.
The Catholic Conference Center is a haven for retreats, conferences, reunions and other gatherings for a variety of groups, including the Diocese of Charlotte. During the coronavirus pandemic, most of the center’s activities have been temporarily suspended. However, outdoor offerings are still permitted under the governor’s executive order as long as social distancing rules are followed.
“We get very few outdoor visitors,” Deacon Gilfillan said. “That means, in near isolation, you can walk the trails, pray the rosary, meditate on the Stations of the Cross, or spend a little time before some of the statues.” A beautiful indoor Adoration chapel is available by appointment.
Any visitors to the property should call 828-327-7441 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ahead of time. And for those who need someone to talk to and process these extreme circumstances, ask for Deacon Gilfillan when you call.
— Catholic News Herald