A community of RCIA practitioners seeking to draw people to Christ.
We are a group of RCIA practitioners representing the diocesan and parish levels of the RCIA ministry. We seek to support parishes in accompanying adults through the RCIA process to arrive at union of Jesus Christ through the sacraments of initiation, along with other liturgical rites, prayer, catechesis, and pastoral support. We consider the RCIA process as central in the parish mission of making adult disciples of Jesus Christ and intentional members of the Church.
Dr. Carmel Suart is the Director for the Office of Christian Initiation for the Archdioceses of Perth. She has been involved with the training and formation of Catechists for both Adults and for the Parish Religious Education of children. Carmel has been responsible for the writing of two Religious Education programmes for primary aged children for the Archdiocese of Perth. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her 34 years involvement with RCIA both in the parish and at a diocesan level. She has background in primary teaching, holding a Bachelor of Education, a Masters in Religious Education in speciality area Sacraments of Initiation and a Ed.D in the area of family catechesis. Currently she is working towards her Masters in Canon Law, St Paul, Ottawa.
Treasurer
Max Norden has been active in RCIA ministry at the parish and diocesan level for 20 years. He is the coordinator of RCIA for the Wollongong Diocese and the Sound Editor of The Journey Catholic Radio, Wollongong.
Ex officio member
Dr. Clare Schwantes was appointed Director at Liturgy Brisbane in 2023 after fulfilling the role of Editor since 2012. She prepares annual publications such as the Ordo and the Daily Mass Book on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, as well as Break Open the Word and Praying Together with Young People. She is also responsible for the design and ongoing evolution of the electronic liturgy planning program, Liturgia, which is used widely in schools and parishes around Australia. Clare has a PhD from the University of Queensland, a Master of Theological Studies (Liturgy), Bachelors of Education and Psychology, and diplomas in Editing and Publishing. Clare is the Chair of the National Liturgical Council, secretary of the Brisbane Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy, a member of the Australian Academy of Liturgy and is on the editorial board of the quarterly journal, Liturgy News.