The Western Conference for the
Catechumenate is an association of interested persons with a mandate to encourage
and help in the full implementation in all parishes in western and northern Canada
of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In addition, we facilitate
the formation of clergy and laity to serve as RCIA catechists and coordinators.
As a regional association of persons active in RCIA ministry, we gather annually
to learn, network, share insights, and offer mutual support.
Msgr. Michael Koch was instrumental in founding the WCC, and passionately served as chairperson for 14.5 years. He passed away on May 10, 2012 from ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gherig’s Disease).
Past Chairpersons
Fr. Michael Koch - January 1990 to June 1994, Saskatoon
Sr. Elizabeth Lynch - June 1994 to June 1998, Calgary
Don & Giselle Horne - June 1998 to June 2000, Edmonton
Fr. Michael Koch - June 2000 to April 2012, Saskatoon
Michelle Sieben - May 2012
Dave and Sandy Marshall - 2013 to current
Conference Topics
1992 - The Lectionary
1993 - Christian Initiation of Children of Catechetical Age
1994 - Restoring the Order of Sacraments for Initiation of Children
1995 - Mystagogy
1996 - The Precatechumenate
1997 - The Catechumenate
1998 - Purification and Enlightenment
1999 - Discernment
2000 - Ministries in RCIA
2001 - Doing the Rites Right
2002 - The New Evangelization and RCIA
2003 - Conversion and RCIA
2004 - RCIA and the use of Scripture
2005 - RCIA and Spiritual Development
2006 - RCIA: Rural and Small Church Spirit
2007 - Developing a year round RCIA
2008 - RCIA: Celebrating the Rites and Music
2009 - RCIA: Ongoing Faith Formation
2010 - The Evangelizing Parish: Vision, Passion, Practice (Forum led)
2011 - RCIA and Liturgical Catechesis
2012 - Celebrating All the Rites and the Assembly
2013 - Evangelizing through the lens of Faith and Culture
2014 - Re-Discover the Power of RCIA
2015 - Rites of the RCIA
2016 - Making Disciples
2017 - Life Long Discipleship
2018 - break
2019 - Catechist School
