The Association for Catechumenal Ministry

What books that ACM publishes are copyable?

The RCIA Participant’s Book (380 handouts) is entirely copyable and printable from the enclosed CD.
The RCIA Leader’s Manual contains a section with forms and other sample letters, text, and prayers that can be copied or printed from the enclosed CD.
The RCIA Catechist’s Manual is not copyable.
The RCIA Overview Chart is not copyable.

What are the different categories of handouts in the RCIA Participant’s Book?

Part I – Doctrines (125 handouts)
Part II – Special Topics (41 handouts)
Part III – Psalms and Canticles (102 handouts)
Part IV – Litanies and Other Prayers (16 handouts)
Part V – Lives of Saints (75 handouts)
Part VI – Conversion Stories (25 handouts)
Part VII – Small Group Questions (over 200 questions)

Can the Participant’s Book handouts be used for other things besides RCIA?

Yes, the whole set of 380 handouts can be used however a parish would like. Many parishes use these handouts in other aspects of adult education such as parents meetings, bulletin inserts, catechist training, retreats, Bible studies, faith-sharing groups, infant Baptism preparation, marriage preparation, etc.

Am I allowed to download the Participant’s Book CD files onto my computer’s hard drive?

Yes. You will need about 220 megabytes (220MB) of space on your hard drive. This is not usually a problem for modern computers. This also allows you to organize the handouts into your own folder system, perhaps organizing them by teaching topic or by the time of year you would like to give out certain handouts.

How can I get my copy machine to reproduce the handouts better?

Most copy machines have a ‘photo’ setting, and often a ‘photo/text’ setting as well. This changes the sensitivity of the copy machine in reproducing the grayscale found in most images and pictures. Also, changing the tint setting (darkening or lightening) will make a difference, especially if you do so in the ‘photo’ or ‘photo/text’ modes. Each copy machine will be different, so you should play around with these setting to find out what combination produces the best reproduction quality possible. Once found, this combination will usually be the same for most, if not all, of the handouts.

How many RCIA Participant’s Books should our parish purchase?

One, it’s copyable.

How many RCIA Catechist’s Manuals should our parish purchase?

Normally parishes purchase one for each RCIA or RCIC catechist. Some parishes also purchase them for people involved in other aspects of adult formation.

How many RCIA Leader’s Manuals should our parish purchase?

Usually one or two (pastor and RCIA coordinator/director), unless there are others who are part of a larger collaborative initiation ministry in the parish (perhaps an RCIC leader, or a person heading a year-round precatechumenate team or a neophyte team).

In which of ACM’s books are annulment and the validity of Baptism issues discussed?

The RCIA Leader’s Manual.

How many lesson plans are there in the RCIA Catechist’s Manual?

Sixty. This encourages, but does not necessitate, a year-round catechumenal process. The lesson plans are designed to accommodate being expanded or condensed. This flexibility is explaining in more detail in the introductory section of the Catechist’s Manual.

When are ACM’s children’s catechumenal materials due to be completed?

Most likely in 2008.

How can I order ACM’s publications?

Place orders by contacting:
Liturgy Training Publications (LTP)
1800 North Hermitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
800-933-1800 (orders)
800-933-7094 (fax orders)
773-486-5630 (orders outside U.S. and Canada)
Email: orders@ltp.org
Online: www.ltp.org
Outside U.S. and Canada: www.ltp.org/distributors.html

Why does ACM prioritize holding a Clergy Day prior to offering its other seminars?

In our experience, the degree to which the priests of a diocese understand and agree with their bishop’s vision for fully implementing the RCIA process, is the degree to which that implementation will receive sufficient momentum to consistently succeed. ACM is simply at the service of assisting a bishop in commutating that vision.

Can lay people (such as RCIA directors or lay parish administrators) attend a diocesan Clergy Day?

ACM is not opposed to this, but the final decision rests with the host diocese.

Does ACM offer reduced fees in any form to poorer parishes or dioceses?

Yes. This is to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with ACM’s director, who can be reached using the contact information on this website.

Who arranges for prayer times and liturgies during ACM seminars?

The host diocese is responsible for providing copies of the Liturgy of the Hours, if used, and for arranging for a deacon or priest to lead. For Mass times in the schedule, the host diocese is responsible for set-up and ensuring the presence of a lector (and cantor/musician and altar servers if indicated). Ordinarily, if the bishop or his representative is not the celebrant, an ACM priest presenter will be the celebrant.

Is ACM or the host diocese responsible for providing items for a sacred space during a diocesan workshop?

The host diocese is responsible for this.

A host diocese is responsible to reimburse an ACM presenter for which of the following: meals, travel, lodging?

Meals and lodging. Travel is included in the flat fee, provided the tickets do not exceed $500 per presenter. Normally meals and lodging are arranged and provided by the host diocese, thereby eliminating any need for reimbursement.

Are the stipends for ACM presenters rolled into the flat fee for the seminars or are they paid by the host diocese separately?

The stipends are part of the flat fee.

Can a parish send people to an ACM seminar being offered in a neighboring diocese?

ACM does not ever initiate such invitations, in respect for the sovereignty of the bishops of neighboring dioceses. If the host diocese desires to initiate an invitation, ACM will not object, provided that the chanceries of the neighboring dioceses are aware of the training and do not object.

When was ACM founded?

ACM was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in November 1998 with a governance Board membership expressive of the value of diversity within the Church: clergy and laity; parish personnel and university academics; men and women.

What is the purpose of ACM’s Episcopal Moderator? What is his name?

ACM’s Episcopal Moderator, Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is an ACM co-founder and Board member. As Episcopal Moderator he serves as ACM’s liaison to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); a role expressive of ACM’s desire to remain closely tied to the intentions, directives, and priorities at the heart of the universal Church.

How can a parish receive individual assistance / consultations from ACM? Does ACM do workshops for individual parishes?

ACM generally does not do workshops for individual parishes, unless that parish is within a reasonable driving distance of an ACM presenter and it works for his or her schedule. We are happy to offer assistance to individual parishes via phone or email at no cost, other than the phone bill. ACM’s website has a library section on the “Where to Begin” page that offers significant practical assistance.

What is the purpose of the Sower magazine in ACM’s mission?

The Sower is a comprehensive journal for religious educators, whether they are clergy or laity, paid or volunteer. ACM has an RCIA-related article in each issue of the Sower, thereby providing ACM with a regular means to provide on-going formation for those working in catechumenal ministry.