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Enquiry Groups

This initiative has recently been started by members of St Francis de Sales parish in Newbury, Berkshire. The groups can be a used as a way of bridging the gap from being an inactive Catholic or non-Catholic enquirer, to becoming a fully integrated member of the local Catholic community. From an RCIA perspective, the Enquiry Group covers the first period, namely enquiry and precatechumenate. During this period enquirers confirm their initial conversion and become ready to be accepted as catechumens/candidates in the Church.

When the enquirer is ready, attendance at an Enquiry Group ends with them marking their next step in the journey by going through the doorway of the Rite of Welcoming/Acceptance. For returners, it can culminate with the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and resuming full practice of their faith. It is recommended that separate groups are run for non-Catholic enquirers. Mixing returners and new parish members can cause difficulties.

The format for the group meetings is: a prayer time, the telling of stories, response to stories, break and refreshments, reflection, group activity and ‘housekeeping’. A facilitator is needed to organise and attend the group meetings, to liaise over membership of the group and to prepare the enquirers in cooperation with the parish priest. A team of three to six welcomers is needed, with men and women in the group and different age groups represented. Welcomers may need encouragement and help with developing their listening skills, so some simple training sessions are recommended. Five or six group meetings should be offered in all and run in the autumn and/or spring.

A programme manual will be made available at a future date.

Contact Information

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