ARE YOU . . .
- Interested in becoming Catholic?
- A Catholic who wishes to receive Confirmation and/or First Eucharist?
- Interested in helping someone you know become fully initiated in the
Catholic faith?
Then RCIA is for you!
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a program for
adults who desire to become fully initiated members of the Catholic
Church. The goal of the RCIA process is full, conscious, and active
participation in an exciting life with Jesus Christ within His Catholic
Church. RCIA helps adults grow in their relationship with God, become
familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, get acquainted with the
faith community, and get involved in service within the community as a
whole.
And, if you are a fully initiated Catholic, you can sponsor a RCIA
catechumen or candidate.
A FOUR STEP PROCESS...
STEP 1: PERIOD OF INQUIRY
- Unique to each individual
- Time for asking questions
- Time to intensely examine one's personal relationship with God.
- Ends when inquirers become firm in their desire for initiation and for
the study *of Catholic teachings and practices
STEP 2. PERIOD OF CATECHUMENATE
- Begins with the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens or,
for those who are already baptized, the Rite of Welcoming.
- Time of learning the teachings of the Church and beginning to accept
Catholic teachings and practices.
- Sponsors accompany catechumens and candidates on their journey.
- Length of Catechumenate period can vary from person to person
- Ends when the catechumens discern that God is calling them to receive
the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation);
the candidates, when they discern that God is calling them to make
profession of faith in the Catholic Church
STEP 3. PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
- Begins with Rite of Election.
- Catechumens are now called the Elect.
- Time of intense preparation during Lent to celebrate the Resurrection
of Jesus at Easter and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
STEP 4. PERIOD OF MYSTAGOGIA
- Begins with the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation,
and First Eucharist during the Easter Season.
- Time of reflection on the commitment made to the Lord, the Church, and
the faith community
- Time of finding a place in the community and getting involved.
CATECHUMEN OR CANDIDATE?
Many people who want to join the Catholic Church have already been
baptized in another Christian church. They do not need to be baptized
again. They will follow a form of these four steps adapted to their
particular needs and concerns.
Others may have been baptized in the Catholic Church and need to
complete the sacraments of Initiation by receiving First Eucharist and/or
Confirmation. All will have an opportunity to grow in their relationship
with God and learn more about the faith before receiving these Sacraments.
Unbaptized persons are known as Catechumens. Those already baptized are
called Candidates.
So are YOU ready for the journey?
If so, then contact the Director of Religious Education, Sr. Jean
Holtz, to learn more about RCIA.
RCIA sessions are held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.
The entire process of initiation with the RCIA program usually covers a
period of several months to a year.
For more information, contact Sister Jean Holtz, SSJ, at holtz@sjy.org,
or call our parish office at 755-7503 or, come see us in person!
RCIA Calendar
