Summary of ACM’s Seminars
ACM conducts seminars for dioceses according to a three-tier program. The first seminar, one day in length, is for the clergy (priests, deacons, seminarians) of a diocese. The second seminar is for clergy as well as lay members of RCIA teams (including sponsors, liturgy personnel, etc.) and is two to three full days. The third seminar, also two to three full days of training, is for catechists who teach in RCIA, both clergy and laity. This series of seminars is based on the strategy of serving the Church in a distinctively ecclesial manner. ACM’s seminars work through the office of the Bishop, and are directed to serve his intentions and desires for the full implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation among his parishes. Out of respect for the sovereignty of each Ordinary, ACM does not come to do training in a diocese unless invited by the Bishop. Click here to view comments from evaluations of past seminars.

ACM will conduct a series of three seminars (made up of a Clergy Day, Team Training, and Catechist Training) for a flat fee to be negotiated with each diocese, plus the cost of an RCIA Leader's Manual for each seminar participant (purchased from Liturgy Training Publications at a seminar discount). The flat fee includes: 1) Speaker fees for ACM presenters; 2) Travel costs for ACM presenters up to the amount of $500 per presenter (travel costs above this amount will be assessed to the host diocese); 3) Other supplemental seminar handouts. Lodging and meals are not included in the flat fee. ACM presenters are willing to stay in nearby diocesan accommodations (rectories, convents, retreat houses) if the diocese so desires.

Clergy Day Seminar
The set of seminars begins with a Clergy Day at the diocesan level that is designed to give priests, deacons, and seminarians a concise and clear summary and overview of the RCIA process.  This day will be an opportunity for clergy of a diocese to gather around their bishop to understand the nature of the catechumenate as it comes from the heart of the Church.  Concerns of clergy will be addressed and questions will be answered.  Presentations will treat both the theoretical and practical aspects of how to make RCIA work in a parish setting, as well as the essential roles of the bishop, priest, deacon, and laity.

Team Training Seminar
A diocesan Team Training Seminar would typically follow a diocesan Clergy Day either immediately or several weeks later.  Two to three full days of training are provided, focused on the needs of parish directors, sponsor coordinators, and other team members.  This format is designed to provide a comprehensive and organic understanding of the full catechumenal process, as well as a practical grasp of how to successfully implement it.  The full application of liturgical, pastoral, and catechetical aspects of the process is explained, as derived from the guidelines to the Order of Christian Initiation from the Holy See and the National Statutes from the U.S. Bishops Conference.

Catechist Training Seminar
A diocesan Catechist Training Seminar would typically follow a diocesan Team Training Seminar at some later date.  Again, two to three full days of training are given, focused specifically on the needs of parish priests, RCIA directors and catechists.  This format is designed to teach the fundamentals of methodology in catechesis as it is applied in a catechumenal setting.  Participants will be instructed in the following areas: teaching for conversion, using the ecclesial method, how to do liturgical catechesis and scriptural catechesis, incorporating the Catholic family story, organizing and systematizing the catechesis in the catechumenate, doing apologetics in the precatechumenate, and incorporating prayer and personal witness into the catechetical endeavor.

Seminarian Seminar
ACM conducts training in seminaries for a significantly reduced fee.  The duration, content, and format of training held in a seminary are all negotiable.  Generally it is recommended that seminarians be exposed to this training after they have completed the majority of their coursework on sacramental theology.

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St. John Bosco Conference for Catechists and Religious Educators
ACM recommends this excellent annual training Conference for those who may not be able to attend an ACM seminar but desire in-depth RCIA training. Currently, all of those who are presenters in this Conference are also Board members or speakers for ACM, resulting in a unified vision of training people for catechumenal ministry. This Catechumenal Ministry Track of this Conference is a comprehensive training program offering the methodological, philosophical, and doctrinal topics essential to the evangelization and catechesis of those investigating and approaching membership in the Catholic Faith. Believing that the most significant factor in this process of conversion is the passing on a lived faith, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio has committed itself to assisting in the preparation of men and women equal to the catechumenal task. While presenting a systematic doctrinal foundation coming directly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this track also includes the following: Scripture, the conversion process, liturgy, catechesis, pastoring, stages of the catechumenal process. Workshops on evangelism, canon law, and the catechumenate for children and adolescents will also be offered. Click here to go to the Conference's website.

Maryvale Institute of Birmingham, England for Distance Learning
ACM highly recommends the courses offered by this Institute for those who would like to pursue comprehensive faith formation in a flexible distance education format. ACM and Maryvale are continuing to develop a relationship that has already born fruit in an on-going series of articles in the Sower, a journal designed to serve those engaged in any kind of religious education ministry. Maryvale is an historic place — there has been a Christian presence on the site for a millennium. Maryvale Institute specializes in part-time and distance learning courses in theology, religious education, philosophy, catechesis, and evangelization. Focusing especially on adults — teachers, catechists, lay people, religious and clergy — this Institute is the first in the United Kingdom to offer courses in Catholic Theology on the Open University model with short residential schools. It is highly suited to accommodate international students. The courses, which involve people from many different countries, are offered at different levels: from basic studies and adult continuing education, to B.A., M.A. and Research Degrees. The Institute offers training courses for lay ministers, catechists, the permanent diaconate, and in evangelization, parenting, and basic catechetical skills. Click here to go to the Institute's website.