The RCIA Process
Are you interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith? Have you ever thought of becoming a Catholic? If you, or someone you know, would like to know more about us, perhaps the RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process is for you. The process provides information about the teachings and the history of the Church, allows you to ask your questions about the Catholic faith, and gives you the opportunity and the time to discern if Catholicism is for you.
The process usually takes place over nine months and is done in a comfortable faith sharing atmosphere. We meet once a week, on Wednesday evenings from 7-9, and reflect on the experiences that cause us to be aware of our faith. The first months are called the “Inquiry Period,” and you are welcome to come question, learn and discern if the Catholic faith is for you – no strings attached.
Should you discern that you would like to commit to further prayer and study along the path to becoming a Catholic, then you will be accepted, in the midst of the Sunday community, as a Catechumen, (one who has never been baptized in any faith) or a Candidate, (one who has been baptized in another faith tradition).
As a Catechumen or a Candidate, the journey continues through the “Catechumenate Period,” a time of further study about all things Catholic such as the Sacraments, the Trinity, and the Eucharist. As we enter into the season of Lent, or the “Enlightenment Period,” the desire one feels for receiving the sacraments intensifies and the Catechumens and Candidates are called to St. James Cathedral to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect, as the Archbishop “elects” them to the Easter sacraments.
All the preparation, excitement, and joy reaches a culmination on Holy Saturday, the Vigil of Easter as the Candidates profess their belief in the Catholic faith and the Catechumens are baptized. Now, as “Neophytes,” or “new babies in faith,” they are Confirmed and approach the table of the Lord to receive the Eucharist for the first time, one with us as a community of faithful believers.
Following the joy of Easter, the Neophytes continue to meet until Pentecost to explore the mystery of faith that they have experienced. This can be a most wonderful time of rejoicing, and re-telling the stories of the faith journey.
To sign up, just talk about the possibilities, or ask further questions about becoming Catholic, please call Peg Borkowski at the Parish Office, 935-0358 ex 108; or email Peg Borkowski. It would be my pleasure to walk with you along your faith journey.
Our next group will be forming in the fall of 2010.