BECOMING A CATHOLIC
Response to Christ’s Inner Awakening and RCIA
RCIA, or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process through which adults learn about the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and become members of the Church, eligible to receive the Sacraments. As Jesus is the gateway to eternal life, RCIA is the gateway to the Catholic Church.
RCIA is a journey that begins with a feeling or a sense of being drawn to learn more about the Catholic Church. It is a powerful witness to the fact that each one of us is uniquely created by God, individually loved by God, and specifically called by God. And each person has a unique story of how this feeling was initiated:
RCIA, or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process through which adults learn about the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and become members of the Church, eligible to receive the Sacraments. As Jesus is the gateway to eternal life, RCIA is the gateway to the Catholic Church.
RCIA is a journey that begins with a feeling or a sense of being drawn to learn more about the Catholic Church. It is a powerful witness to the fact that each one of us is uniquely created by God, individually loved by God, and specifically called by God. And each person has a unique story of how this feeling was initiated:
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A child raised by one parent who wonders if the other non-Catholic parent would go to heaven
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A mother witnesses the changes in her son after he goes through RCIA and feels called to do the same
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A father living with a wife and children who are all Catholic, wishing to be a part of that faith
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A man searching for a sense of “belonging”
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A woman who, after the loss of her husband, attends Mass and feels drawn to become a full member
What a beautiful gift each of these people bestows on us as we witness their faithfulness to God’s call in their lives!
Participation
Any adult who wants to become a member of the Catholic Church, whether you are an unbaptized person, a person baptized in another denomination, or a baptized Catholic who received no other sacraments or any further religious education, can participate in the RCIA program.
Length of Program, Materials and Presenters
We begin in September and end four weeks after Easter. RCIA participants meet once a week, usually on Monday evenings, 7 to 8:30 pm. At the beginning of Advent the group attends the 9 am Mass on Sunday and are dismissed after the Liturgy of the Word. Afterwards, we will adjourn to Seidel Hall to share our thoughts, questions, and reflections on the readings from that Sunday. Three Core Teams are each led by two individuals who lead the group in prayer and discussions, answer questions, and address concerns.
Beginning in Advent, select parishioners will be asked to become Parish Sponsors for participants. These Sponsors attend sessions when they are able, pray for their participant, introduce them to other members of the parish, accompany them to parish events, and check in with them to see how they are doing. Parishioners are also invited to pray for one of the RCIA participants.
Beginning in Advent, select parishioners will be asked to become Parish Sponsors for participants. These Sponsors attend sessions when they are able, pray for their participant, introduce them to other members of the parish, accompany them to parish events, and check in with them to see how they are doing. Parishioners are also invited to pray for one of the RCIA participants.
RCIA CALENDAR 2011-2012
TO LEARN MORE
TO LEARN MORE
About the RCIA process used by the Catholic Church to prepare adults interested in becoming Catholic you can click here to download the RCIA Brochure. For more information call Sister Marilyn at the Parish Office at 203-263-2008 or email Sister Marilyn .
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