MADISON – More than 50 Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) leaders from across the diocese joined Msgr. Michael Clay for a workshop Saturday, June 28, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Msgr. Clay is a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh and currently the Chair of the Pastoral Studies Department at The Catholic University of America in Washington. For more than 25 years he has led workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada on the implementation of the RCIA.

His doctoral studies focused on the adaptations of the rite for rural and small-town parishes and his book, “A Harvest for God,” is considered a primer for anyone interested in implementing the rite successfully in these settings. In addition to lectures, Msgr. Clay had participants role-play different parts of the RCIA process. (Photos by Fabvienen Taylor) 071114rcia02