RCIA Avila

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults through the Avila Partnership and Archdiocese of Southwark

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults through the Avila Partnership and Archdiocese of Southwark

The Avila Partnership formed in 2014 is committed to sustaining outstanding Catholic Girls’ education through shared practice between St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls and Ursuline High School, Wimbledon.  Both schools recognise and value collaborative inclusive learning. 

Avila is also a National Professional Qualification (NPQ) Provider supporting the leadership development of staff in out Catholic schools. NPQs are a national, voluntary suite of qualifications, designed to support the professional development of teachers and leaders. Please click to view https://npqavila.co.uk/

School based Adult Formation and Catechesis

Our Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Southwark are places of adult formation and catechesis, for our whole staff body. To make this a reality, with the support of Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for Education and the South East, the Chaplaincy Teams of St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls, Carshalton, and the Ursuline High, Wimbledon, are leading the way in delivering adult formation and catechesis of staff through the RCIA programme being delivered in school.  

A pilot project that started in the autumn term 2023 welcomed two staff  from each school on their faith journey. Staff commenced the RCIA programme and are being  received into the Church this  Easter. They will be baptised and received into the Church by Canon Victor Darlington. The schools work in collaboration with the parishes of the Catechumen and candidates so they are supported in their process of conversion. This way, we are somewhat fulfilling Jesus’ command to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Matthew 28:19-20.  

Avila strongly sees their role in the local community in sharing and developing  the gift of faith with others in the form of evangelisation.  Participants stated; 

‘The weekly sessions have supported my spiritual journey, they have been informative and provided me with an opportunity to ask questions openly’.  

‘The sessions taking place at school have enabled me to undertake the RCIA course which I otherwise would have been unable to attend due to work commitments’.   

The school’s  Chaplains have made themselves available outside of the sessions and I can't thank them enough for their support.’ demonstrating the importance of school as a pillar of faith delivery central to the diocesan vision for education.’

Avila’s hope is that schools across the Archdiocese of Southwark will follow in this valuable work by

developing hubs of formation in schools promoting the Catholic faith through this programme so that all who work and attend our schools can benefit, especially as we prepare to support the Holy Father's Jubilee Year, Year of Hope.

To work with the Chaplaincy Apprenticeship Programme 

To explore accreditation through the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis

Below: Photos of the Elect and Candidates at the Rite of Election  

Please, pray for them and all across our Archdiocese who are preparing to be welcomed into the Church this Easter