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RCIA:
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Inquiry session date is September 19 at 9:15 a.m.
RCIA
beginning Fall 2010
download form
online registration is temporarily down
Becoming a Catholic
Adults who are interested in exploring Catholic beliefs and practices
are invited to participate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults). This is a process of prayer, reflection and study
spread over several months during which the inquirer participates in
Catholic life and worship. The focus of the RCIA process is Christian
conversion - a change of heart in which the individual turns toward God
and away from whatever is in the way of living a full Christian life.
Once one has decided to become a baptized Christian, the next question
becomes, ‘Is the Catholic Church the faith tradition within which I
can best live out my Christian life?’ The Christian faith is lived
out in community and so the RCIA process will explore what Catholics
believe and the implications of accepting those beliefs.
The RCIA is a journey, marked by rites (ceremonies) that lead to the
reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist on the
night before Easter (the Easter Vigil). These are called the sacraments of
initiation.
The process begins with a period of Inquiry. Stories are shared,
questions are asked and the basics of Christianity are explored. The
inquirer is invited to get to know the community and hopefully to see in
that community an example of the Christian life. Each inquirer has a
sponsor, a person who serves as a companion, a guide, an advocate. At the
end of the Inquiry the first Rite takes place. In the Rite of Welcome
participants ask to be formally enrolled into the Catechumenate.
The word comes from the Greek term meaning to teach by word of mouth and
suggests instruction in the faith.
During the Catechumenate phase, participants prepare for the
sacraments, attend Mass regularly with the community, share discussion on
the Sunday scriptures and continue to learn and reflect on Catholic
beliefs. They participate in the ministry and social life of the parish.
On the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumenate period ends and the
Rite of Election is celebrated. The church calls participants to the
Easter sacraments and to deeper relationship with God.
Lent, the forty days before Easter, is a special time in the Catholic
Church. It focuses on nurturing spirituality, a personal relationship with
God, with a community emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We are
called to examine our lives to see what is standing in the way of living a
full Christian life. The Catholic tradition regards conversion as a
lifetime process which begins at baptism and ends with death. Lent is a
time for recommitting ourselves to conversion.
During the period of Lent, participants are now called the Elect, and
are led into a deeper prayer life and understanding of what it means to be
followers of Christ. A retreat, or time apart for prayer and reflection,
is part of the experience. On the second, third and fourth Sunday of Lent,
the Elect participate in rites called “Scrutinies.” This is not
a public examination of worthiness. The community prays for and with the
Elect, reminding us that we all still need God’s saving power in the
process of ongoing conversion.
At the Easter Vigil, the Church invites those who have not been
baptized to enter the waters of baptism, from which they emerge as new
creations, sharing the life of the Risen Christ. All of the Elect then
receive the sacrament of Confirmation to empower them in the Spirit. All
are nourished at the Table of the Lord as they take communion for the
first time. Their new way of life has begun!
Post-Easter gatherings are held to reflect on the sacramental
experience and to discern ministry in the community. Christian initiation
through RCIA is now complete; the Christian journey of life is just
beginning!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be pressure on me to join the Church if I attend the inquiry
classes?
Not at all. The purpose of the process is to provide information and
experiences needed to decide whether God is calling you to the Catholic
way of life. Our role as leaders and teachers in RCIA is to help you
discern for yourself. Worship with us, explore our beliefs and practices,
spend a year among us participating in the community, and then decide if
you are called by God to this way of life.
What if I just want to learn about the Catholic Church without joining?
We welcome those who just want to understand what being a Catholic
really means. It is not unusual for people who are engaged or married to a
Catholic to participate so that they will understand their spouse’s
religion. This is also true of parents whose children are being raised
Catholic - they want to know how to answer the questions posed by their
children. All are welcome.
Why does it have to be so long and so public with all the rites and
ceremonies at Mass?
Although the decision to embrace the Catholic faith is deeply personal,
it also has a community dimension. Catholics believe that we encounter the
Risen Christ in the community of believers, in the Word of God and in the
Sacraments, especially so in the Breaking of the Bread (Luke 24:13-35).
Faith is lived out within the context of community. Baptism invests us
with bringing the mission of Christ to the world. Those standing before us
during these rites are evidence that the Church is doing its work. The
presence of those in RCIA is an occasion of celebration and gratitude.
As for the length, this is an important decision, not to be rushed. It
is not at all unusual for former participants who had this concern to
gratefully acknowledge that they would not have missed this experience for
the world.
What about my children? If I become Catholic, can they do it too?
Of course! Everyone is welcome. If neither parent is a practicing
Catholic we defer baptism of children until the Easter Vigil. Infants and
young children do not require additional preparation as they will grow in
the faith just as any other person baptized as a young child. School aged
children or teens will be instructed in a process similar to the RCIA,
adapted to be appropriate to their age. The older the person is, the more
he or she will participate in the decision.
What do I do if I want to enroll or know more?
Call or e-mail
Debbie
Carmody, the director of the RCIA program (563-5303) or download
the registration form and mail to: 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66216. If formal
classes have not yet begun, Debbie will be happy to meet with you, suggest
resources, help you get acquainted and explore questions with you.
RCIA Calendar 2010-11
|
MONTH |
DATE
|
TIME |
DESCRIPTION |
|
September |
19 |
9:15-11:15 |
First Inquiry Session, meet the team, goals, overview, immediate questions
|
|
|
26 |
9:15-11:15 |
The Mystery of
Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism, Chapters 1 & 2 plus follow
up on questions and goals |
|
October |
03 |
9:15-11:15 |
The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism, Chapters 3 &
4 plus follow up on questions and goals |
|
|
10 |
9:15-11:15 |
The Mystery of
Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism, Chapters 5 & 6 plus follow
up on questions and goals
Anointing of the Sick at all Masses |
|
|
17 |
9:15-11:15 |
The Mystery of
Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism, Chapters 7 & 8 |
|
|
24 |
9:15-11:15 |
The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism, Chapters 9 &
10 |
|
November |
13-14 |
overnight |
Retreat for
Inquirers and Sponsors
Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison KS
Practice for the Rite of Acceptance/Welcome, Pray the Liturgy of the
Hours with the Sisters Fr. Jim will do a presentation about the
Mass. |
|
|
|
8:45-12:00 |
Rite of Acceptance/Welcome, Breaking Open the Word, Church tour |
|
|
21 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Christ the King, Praying with Bernadine,
Celebrating the season of Advent |
|
December |
05
|
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Praying with Bernadine, St. Nicholas Day,
The Liturgical Year |
|
|
12 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Praying with
Bernadine, Mary, the Mother of God |
|
|
19 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Praying with Bernadine, The Mystery of the
Incarnation |
|
January |
02 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Epiphany, Praying with Bernadine, Sharing
Our Gifts |
|
|
09 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word and Sacred Spaces and Places, Praying With
Bernadine
|
|
|
16 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Praying with Bernadine, Heaven, Purgatory
and “You Know Where” |
|
|
23 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Praying with Bernadine, Grace and Merit,
|
|
|
30 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Morality and Conscience |
|
February |
06 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Sin is Missing the Mark |
|
|
13 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Valentine Day, Forgiveness |
|
|
20 |
8:45-12:00 |
Breaking Open the Word, Lenten Practices of Prayer, Fasting and
Almsgiving, |
|
|
27 |
8:45-12:00 |
Preparing for the Scrutinies in Lent |
|
March |
09 |
7 pm |
Ash Wednesday and Breaking Open the Word |
|
|
|
|
Rite of Sending and Rite of Election TBA |
|
|
27 |
8:45-12:00 |
First Scrutiny, Breaking Open the Word, Preparing for the Sacrament
of Reconciliation, Part I –
RCIA Team |
|
April |
03 |
8:45-12:00 |
Second Scrutiny, Breaking Open the Word, Preparing for the Sacrament
of Reconciliation, Part II – RCIA Team |
|
|
10 |
5 pm |
Third Scrutiny, Breaking Open the Word, Simple Soup Supper, receive
the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Parish Service
|
|
|
16 |
5 pm |
Palm Sunday (on Saturday) Final Breaking Open the Word, dinner,
Practice for the Easter Vigil, registration in the parish
|
|
|
21 |
7 pm |
Holy Thursday |
|
|
22 |
7 pm |
Good Friday |
|
|
23 |
8 pm |
Easter Vigil
and reception
|
|
May 15
9 a.m. Potluck Breakfast, sharing our memories of the Easter Vigil,
Blessings from the RCIA Team and Slide Show of our year together.
|
SHADED AREAS INDICATE REQUIRED SESSIONS |
