WHAT IS RCIA?
The RCIA –
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – is the process that helps you grow in
awareness of God’s call to conversion, provides opportunities to reflect on
that call and moves you towards full initiation through the sacraments of baptism,
confirmation, and Eucharist celebrated at the Easter Vigil. The parish
community offers an invitation and support to those seeking initiation or those
inquiring into the faith.
FOR WHOM IS IT DESIGNED?
The RCIA is
designed for unbaptized adults and adults from other faith denominations
wishing full communion with the Catholic Church. Baptized Catholics who may not have completed their full
initiation are also included in the process.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE PROCESS?
First of all,
the RCIA is one rite. However, it is
divided into four distinct periods that respect the individual’s journey. Each period is marked by community
celebrations that serve as transitions throughout the rite.
The Inquiry
Period is a time to
ask any questions you might have about the Catholic Church. During this time an individual begins to
discern whether he/she has a calling towards the Catholic faith after learning
basic beliefs of the church.
The
Catechumenate begins with
the Rite of Acceptance. Through
instruction, liturgies, reflection on the Word, and faith sharing, those
desiring full initiation will delve deeper into the Catholic Church teachings
and attempt to define their relationship with God and His people. The next stage, the period of Purification
and Enlightenment, begins with the Rite of Elect which is celebrated the first
Sunday of Lent. This is a time to reflect on the life of Christ, his death and
resurrection. This is a time to
experience Lent in its fullness and reflect upon the baptismal promises about
to be made or renewed at the Easter Vigil.
The final preparation towards full initiation begins.
The final
period, Mystagogy,
celebrates the 50 days from Easter to Pentecost. During this time, the new members reflect on the Easter
experience and the responsibilities that come with the professed baptismal
promises. The Church community welcomes
them and calls them to action, “to love and serve the Lord.”
HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS?
Conversion is
a lifelong process. However, the length
of time spent on preparing for reception of the sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil varies according to each
individual’s needs and spiritual development.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
The process
may last a few months to several months according to a person’s understanding
of Church teachings and personal spiritual growth. Inquiry sessions will be held one evening a week. Since inquiry is an ongoing process, people
are invited into inquiry sessions anytime during the year. The Catechumenate begins typically in the
fall and the sessions change to Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. The period of Purification and Enlightenment
occurs during Lent and includes a retreat to prepare you for initiation at the
Easter Vigil. Mystagogy continues with
the Sunday morning sessions until the Church celebrates Pentecost in late May
or early June. For more information
call Barb Woods at 225-8382.
If you are
interested in becoming Catholic, or if you are a Catholic desiring to complete
your initiation, please contact Barb Woods at 210-6649 or bwoods@sainttheresaiowa.org
RCIA MINISTRIES
As the Father has sent me, so I send
you!
All Catholics share in the life of
Christ by our baptism. By the same baptism:
~ We are called to share that life with
others,
AND
~ We are empowered by the Spirit of God to do so.
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Prayer
Partners
The power of prayer is
unquestionable! Prayer provides a source
of strength and an avenue of communication on anyone's faith journey. Companions are also a necessity on a
journey. You are accepting both roles
as a prayer partner. Through the
workings of the Holy Spirit you travel the journey with them either silently
or aloud. You may send letters/cards of encouragement anonymously or
acknowledge yourself. If you want to
meet your catechumen or candidate, you're invited to drop down after a 9:30
Mass once we begin dismissals sometime in December. You define your
involvement. All we ask is that you
keep a special person in your prayers as he/she inquires about the faith and
prepares for initiation into the church.
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Hosts
Spend one Monday evening (7 –
9 p.m.) OR one Sunday morning (10:30 – 11:45 a.m.) with us. Introduce yourself, meet new people, and
serve snacks. We provide paper
products and drinks. You provide the
snack. People have served cheese and
crackers, cookies, brownies, breads and fixings, vegetable pizza, candies,
peanuts, pretzels, popcorn, and a variety of other foods. The choice is yours.
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Sponsors
The sponsor is a co-traveler in this
journey of faith who commits himself or herself to accompany a catechumen or
candidate along the way. The sponsor
is a person who is willing to be a friend, witness, guide. According to the Rite: A sponsor accompanies any candidate
seeking admission as a catechumen.
Sponsors are persons who have known and assisted the candidates and
stand as witnesses to the candidates' moral character, faith, and intention.
(No. 10) |
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Faith
Stories The CHURCH also has many stories to
tell…Stories of faith journeys. Why
not add your own story? Why are you Catholic? What or who brought you this far?
Why is Christ an intricate part of your life? How are you like the people of
the Old Testament in their search for the Savior? Have you had any faith
struggles? Share your story with those who are inquiring about the Catholic
Faith. |
Be a Pew
Buddy!
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Pew
Buddy Hospitality is a practice in which we
should all be active. Every Sunday there are people visiting St. Theresa
Parish. Some of those people are looking to be invited into a parish. A few of them are feeling a
call to the Catholic Church and have either been baptized in another faith or
have not been baptized at all. We’d like to match these people up with
someone in the parish to sit with at Sunday to the faith. Help others encounter Christ in our parish through our faith. |
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Easter
Vigil For
Catholics, the Easter Vigil is the highpoint of the Liturgical Year, where
the catechumenate and candidates join us at the Eucharistic table for the
first time. This first sharing of Eucharist continues at the post-vigil
reception. Just as a family will
celebrate the baptism of their newborn infant with an extended family
gathering, so does the Church in celebrating and welcoming their newest
members. Preparation for the vigil
and reception draws on people from all levels of parish life to reflect the
larger faith community planning and preparing to welcome the newly baptized
and confirmed. |
For more
information on the RCIA process or RCIA ministries, please contact Barb Woods
at 210-6649 bwoods@sainttheresaiowa.org