Learning to listen for God and to live in response.
Forming Hearts For Prayer is a new six-part formation series designed for RCIA leaders and teams as well as those who desire to deepen their ability to accompany others as they explore and enter into the life of faith in the Catholic Church.
At the heart of RCIA ministry is the call to walk with people on a journey of encounter with Christ. This requires more than sharing information – it requires a listening heart, pastoral attentiveness, and an awareness of the ways God is already at work in each person’s story.
This series explores the Church’s rich tradition of prayer and liturgy while developing the skills and dispositions needed for meaningful accompaniment.
Accompaniment begins with listening.
Across six sessions, participants will explore the nature of prayer, the role of the Church at prayer, the place of Scripture in Christian life, and how prayer becomes integrated into everyday discipleship.
Alongside this theological reflection, the series encourages a deeper practice of listening while learning to recognise the questions, experiences, and longings that often reveal the deeper movements of the human heart.
The goal is not simply to gain knowledge about prayer, but to be formed as people who can accompany others with greater attentiveness, patience, and trust in God’s work.
Dates
The series will be held across these six Wednesday evenings:
29 Jul · 5 Aug · 12 Aug · 26 Aug · 2 Sep · 9 Sep
Time
Each session will run from 6:30pm – 8pm.
Venue
The series is being held in the Parish Centre at St John the Apostle Catholic Church (25 Blackham St, Holt ACT 2615).
Costs
The series is being offered free of charge as a joint collaboration between the parishes of West Belconnen and North Belconnen alongside the Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation.
The Audience
Forming Hearts for Prayer is designed for:
- RCIA leaders and team members
- Catechists and faith formation leaders
- Parish ministry leaders
- Prayer group and small group leaders
- Those involved in welcoming and accompanying others
- Anyone seeking to deepen their own life of prayer
No previous theological study is required. Participants are invited to come with openness, curiosity, and a desire to grow.
The Six Sessions
Session 1: Listening Beneath The Question
Exploring how the questions people ask often reveal deeper hopes, experiences, and spiritual longings.
Session 2: What Is Prayer?
Session 3: The Church At Prayer
Session 4: Praying With Scripture
Session 5: Communion In Prayer
Session 6: Living A Life Of Prayer
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Forming Hearts For Prayer is designed especially for RCIA leaders, RCIA team members, catechists, and those involved in accompanying people on their journey of faith within the Catholic Church.
It is also suitable for anyone who desires to deepen their understanding of Christian prayer, the Church’s liturgical tradition, and the ministry of accompaniment.
The purpose of Forming Hearts For Prayer is to help participants grow in their ability to accompany others through a deeper understanding of prayer, listening, and the life of the Church.
The series recognises that accompaniment is not simply about providing answers, but about learning to listen attentively, recognise the deeper movements of the human heart, and support others as they respond to God’s invitation.
No. The series is designed to be accessible for both those who are experienced in RCIA ministry and those who are beginning their journey of accompaniment.
The sessions are not intended as academic lectures, but as opportunities for reflection, discussion, prayer, and formation.
RCIA is a journey of accompaniment. Those involved in RCIA are invited not only to share the teachings of the Church, but to walk alongside people as they encounter Christ and discover the life of faith.
This formation series supports that ministry by exploring the connection between prayer, listening, and accompaniment.
Each session includes space for reflection, conversation, and prayer. Participants will explore key ideas, share insights and experiences, and consider how these themes connect with their own ministry and spiritual life.
The sessions are designed as a journey, with each part building on the previous one. For this reason, attending all six sessions is encouraged wherever possible.
Participants will be invited to grow in:
- A deeper understanding of Christian prayer
- Greater awareness of the Church’s prayer and liturgical tradition
- A more attentive approach to listening and accompaniment
- Confidence in walking alongside others on their journey of faith
- A deeper personal awareness of God’s presence and action
While the series is particularly designed with RCIA leaders and teams in mind, the themes of prayer, accompaniment, and Christian formation are valuable for anyone involved in parish ministry or seeking to deepen their own life of faith.
Forming Hearts For Prayer is not simply about learning more about prayer or gaining more information about the Catholic tradition. It is an invitation to be formed in the way we see, listen, and accompany others.
The series begins with the recognition that every person’s journey of faith is unique. By developing a deeper awareness of prayer, Scripture, liturgy, and the life of the Church, participants are encouraged to become more attentive to the ways God is already working in the lives of those they accompany.
The focus is not only on what we communicate, but on the kind of presence we bring when we walk alongside others.
Yes. While the series is designed with RCIA leaders and teams in mind, it is also a journey of personal formation.
As participants explore the Church’s understanding of prayer, the richness of the liturgy, and the role of Scripture, they are invited to reflect on their own relationship with God and how prayer shapes their daily life.
The hope is that those who accompany others will also be renewed and deepened in their own journey of faith.