Sunday Dismissals for the RCIA
by Mary K. Milne
Category: Religion

If your parish has been hesitant to dismiss the candidates and catechumens from the Sunday liturgy for fear that they might feel excluded or rejected, these weekly dismissals erase that tension. The dismissals are clearly presented for what they are: sendings. Candidates and catechumens are sent from the liturgy to be nourished by the Scripture readings of the day. Since the text for the catechumenate is the Lectionary, each dismissal is based on the readings of that particular Sunday. Using this tool, the parish community will understand why they are dismissing these individuals and will also experience the call to listen to and reflect on the Scriptures. A prayer of the faithful, which links the Sunday readings to the dismissal, is also included each week so that the parish family may offer prayerful support to their candidates and catechumens. The readings used as a basis for the dismissal are referenced. Sturdy "ease" binding allows the book to open flat.