The Archdiocese of Atlanta and the North American Forum on the Catechumenate are co-sponsoring a two-day institute, “Children and Christian Initiation,” for all people who work in the Christian initiation ministry at the parish level. The Institute will be offered Oct. 10-11 at Holy Trinity Church.

Teams involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) from around the United States are invited to attend this institute, which is designed to help parish teams, both experienced and new, deepen their understanding of the conversion journey and experience the stages and rituals of the RCI, with the primary focus on the journey of youth.

The North American Forum, established in 1981 and located in Washington, D.C., is an international network of pastoral ministers, liturgists, catechists and theologians who share ideas and offer support for initiation and reconciliation ministries. This support is offered primarily through institutes sponsored by dioceses in the United States and Canada.

Institute leaders are Sister Jeanette Lucinio, SP, and Father Joe Scardella. Sister Lucinio is the director of the Office for Women Religious in San Diego, Calif. After retiring in 2002 from the faculty of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, she became pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills, Ill., with the responsibility for the full implementation of the RCIA.

Father Scardella is a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., and director of the Office for Ministerial Formation. He has worked in parish ministry, directed the diocesan Office of Worship and been a FORUM team member since 1990. He is actively involved with preparing parish teams in the implementation of the Order of Initiation both for adults and children.

The program will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and conclude at 4 p.m. the next day. The registration fee is $280 per person, which includes the $190 tuition and $90 meal fee. Those registering before Aug. 8 can save $20. A discount for parish teams is also available. The registration deadline is Sept. 12.

Lodging is available at the Holiday Inn and Suites at 203 Newgate Road in Peachtree City. The meeting facility is Holy Trinity Church, located at 101 Walt Banks Road.