Transcript RCIA Introduction

RCIA Introduction
What is the R.C.I.A?
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults) is a process whereby those
interested in learning about the
Catholic faith come together on a
weekly basis to learn about Scriptures
and the teachings of the Roman
Catholic Church, at the same time, to
discover where God is present in their
lives.
The process is designed for adults
who are:
 not baptized
 Baptized in another
tradition
 Baptized Catholics who have
not received Holy Eucharist or
Confirmation
Let’s take a look at. . .
• Rite
• Christian
• Initiation
• Adults
Rite
• “Any repetitive ceremonial
activity with fixed rules; also, a
particular ritual ceremony.”
(HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism)
• A public liturgical act of the
Church.
Christian
• Relating to the person
of Jesus Christ
– His life
– His teachings
– His mission
– His saving life, death &
resurrection
– His Church
Initiation
• “The rites, ceremonies, ordeals,
or instructions with which one is
made a member of a sect or
society or is invested with a
particular function or status.”
(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)
– Military, service organization, etc.
Adults
• In Church terms, an
“adult” is someone who
has reached the “age of
reason,” about age 7. At
St. Mary’s, we have RCIA
sessions adults/youth age
16 and older, adults who
speak Spanish primarily or
exclusively.
The First Period
The Period of Evangelization
and Precatechumenate
Also known as the Period of Inquiry, it is a time for:
Asking questions about the Catholic faith
Building community within the group
Developing a trusting atmosphere
The First Period
The Period of Evangelization
and Precatechumenate
More importantly, it is a time for:
Examining God’s presence in our lives, past and
present
Fostering conversion
Learning about prayer
Developing or improving our relationship
with God
Getting to know his Church
The First Step
Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens
The Rite of Acceptance is the first rite of the RCIA
process for those who are not baptized.
It takes place within the context of Sunday Mass.
Those wishing to enter into the second period of RCIA
(Catechumenate or Study Period) make a public
commitment to accept the way of the cross.
The worshiping community, the members of the parish
family, publically welcome the unbaptised Inquirers and
promise to support them in their ongoing journey of faith.
The First Step (a)
The Rite of Welcoming the
Candidates
The Rite of Acceptance is the first rite of the
RCIA process for those who are baptized.
It takes place within the context of Sunday Mass with
the Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
The baptized Inquirers are now referred to as Candidates,
and are known by this title for the rest of the RCIA process.
The Candidates make a public commitment to accept the
way of the cross. The worshiping community, the members
of the parish family, publicly welcome the Candidates and
promise to support them in their ongoing journey of faith.
The Second Period
The Period of the Catechumenate
A Catechumen (from Latin catechumenus, Greek
κατηχουμεѵоς, instructed) is receiving instruction in the
principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism.
It is for this reason that those who are already baptized in
another Christian faith are not known as Catechumens, but
rather Candidates.
The Catechumenate is an extended period during which
the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and
guidance, aimed at training them in Christian life.
This is achieved in four ways:
• Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by
celebrations of the Word.
•The Catechumens are learning to:
- Turn more readily to God in prayer
- To bear witness to the Faith
- In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
- To follow supernatural inspiration in their
deeds
- To practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of selfrenunciation
• Suitable liturgical rites, which purify the Catechumens little by
little and strengthen blessing; including celebrations of the Word.
•Learning to work actively with others to spread the Gospel
The Second Period
The Period of the Catechumenate
The Catechumenate is a time for:
“Breaking Open the Word” – reading and discussing the Sunday
Gospel
Continuing to build community within the group
Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish
community
Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church
More importantly, it is a time for:
Continuing to examine God’s presence in our lives, past and present
Developing prayer life, entering into communal worship of the parish
Fostering conversion
Developing or improving our relationship with God
The conclusion of this period
leads into the Second Step
(third period), namely the
Election or Enrolment of Names
for the Catechumens and the
Rite of Calling the Candidates to
Continuing Conversion for the
Candidates.
The Second Step
Election or Enrollment of Names
and
The Rite of Calling Candidates to Continued
• Both
are celebrations that are usually held at the Diocesan Cathedral
on a particular date, presided over by the local Bishop.
• Those
wishing to be baptized or received into full communion with
the Catholic Church come together, often on the same day.
• Their
• This
names are publicly declared to all present.
signifies their intention to be initiated at the Easter Vigil.
• The Bishop joyfully welcomes those to be baptized as children of God,
as well as those who have already been baptized but seek full
communion with the Catholic Church.
• The Catechumens are now referred to as The Elect.
The Third Period
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment is a
time for:
•Repentance
•Examining areas of sinfulness and
weakness in our lives
•Asking for God’s help in healing these
areas
•Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
•Preparation for receiving the Sacraments
of Initiation
The Third Period
The Period of Purification and
Enlightenment
•This period tends to correspond with Lent and is
intended to be a period of increased introspection
and coming closer to God.
•The aim of the period is to eliminate what is weak
and sinful; and reaffirm what is holy.
During this period the Catechumens undertake:
•The three Scrutinies
• (3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent)
During this period the Candidates prepare for:
•The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Man Born Blind
John 11: 1-45
The Woman at the
Well John 4: 4-42
The Lenten Gospels
From
Year A
The Temptation of
Jesus in the Desert
Matt 4:1-11
The Raising of
Lazarus John 11: 1-45
The Transfiguration
Matt 17:1-9
The Third Period
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment
•Presentation of the Creed (3rd Week of Lent)
•Holy Thursday – The Washing of Feet
•Holy Friday – Service, Veneration of
the Cross
•Holy Saturday
•Morning Prayer
•Presentation of the Our Father
The Third Step
The Celebration of the
Sacraments of Initiation
• on
the night of the Easter Vigil-the night we celebrate new life
through death – the celebration of the three sacraments takes place
• the
sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist (Holy Communion), and
Confirmation.
• The
Elect celebrate all of these via the Rite of Initiation
• The
Candidates (having already been baptized) celebrate Eucharist
and Confirmation during the Easter season via the Rite of Reception of
Baptized Christians into the full Communion of the Catholic Church.
• The
Elect are now called Neophytes, and are considered to be full
members of the Catholic Church. Our new members of the Church
community move on to the Period of Mystagogia.
The Fourth Phase
The Period of Mystagogia
The Period of Mystagogia is a time for:
•Living a sacramental life
•Living out the Gospel way of life
•Becoming more involved in the Parish
The topics often discussed at this stage are:
•Evangelization
•Stewardship
•Lay Ministry
•The Sunday Gospel for eight weeks of the Easter season,
including Pentecost, are discussed and what they mean in
the context of our lives.
On behalf of…
and our RCIA Team Members
0ur
R.C.I.A.
Director
Debbie
Castillo
Our Pastor Father Vaughn Winters
Facilitator Diane Ramos
Facilitator Sherry Phillips
Facilitators
Steve and Mary Rose
Toll
So, where are we now?
The Inquiry period:
•This is the starting place for adults who are
thinking about entering the Catholic Church
•You are just finding out about Jesus,
Christianity, and the Catholic Church.
•Talk to people, walk around in our shoes, get
a feel for the place
•Your main task here is to develop your faith
a little bit. Get to know Christ, prayer, the
Catholic Church, and how Christians live.
What’s Next? (Suggestions)
•Ask, ask, ask! This is a serious step. Do not be afraid to
ask questions. If we cannot answer them, we will get
you an answer
•Pray, pray, pray. Ask God for faith and guidance
•Complete the information packet. Remember, you don’t
“have to do” anything, but this will begin the paperwork
process if you are ready (if baptized, we will need a copy
of your baptismal certificate)
•You may want to begin thinking about a sponsor. This
is someone who acts as a guide as you journey in faith
•Keep coming to Inquiry with your questions
•If you were previously married, make an appointment
with a priest.
Major Questions to Consider?
Does God exist?
If God is real, how will I respond?
Why do I exist? Does life have meaning? If so, what is it?
Who is Jesus? What do I think of him?
Can I really have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Is Christ the only way?
Why call God Father?
What is the Catholic Church, and why should I enter it?
Why do I keep doing things I know to be wrong?
How should I live?