Please contact Patricio Morillo for more information 

 

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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The R.C.I.A. is the process for adults to inquire, and learn about the Roman Catholic Church.  It is designed to assist each individual in their faith journey, and to help them discern where the Holy Spirit is leading them.  For many this process will culminate at the Easter Vigil, when they are received into the Church.

Who is the RCIA for?

It is for those not baptized who desire to respond to God's invitation to eternal life both here, and hereafter.

It is for those already baptized, but not in the Catholic Church, who desire to respond to God's invitation to full and visible communion with the Church which He has established.

It is for those already baptized in the Catholic Church, but not brought up in the practice of the Faith, who desire to respond to God's invitation to allow Him to bring to completion what He has already begun.

It is for members of the parish who desire to respond to God's invitation to deepen their own spirituality by involving and investing themselves in the lives and the spiritual journey of those whom God is drawing ever more closely to Himself.

What is the process?

Inquiry - Interested individuals will visit, or join informal Inquiry Sessions.  It is during the Inquiry phase  that they will be meeting with other seekers like themselves, and the R.C.I.A. Team. The team will be there to support each person, and address their questions, and concerns.

Catechumenate Period - This is a slightly more formal time of learning, and connecting with scripture.

Purification & Enlightenment - This is a time for internal searching, and affirming of what is good, and right within ourselves, and what is not.  This period culminates with the Easter Vigil when individuals are received into the Church.

Mystagogia - This is a time for celebrating God's mystery's.  It lasts from Easter to Pentecost (Pentecost is when the church celebrates its birth in the Holy Spirit)

Definitions

Candidate - Anyone inquiring into the Catholic faith.  I ndividuals who are already baptized will continue to be called Candidates. Those who are not baptized, and wish to continue in their faith formation will be called Catechumens.

Catechumen - A non-baptized person who is seeking to join the Roman Catholic Church.

Elect - Those catechumens that are preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Candidates will also receive the sacraments of Initiation, except Baptism)

Mystagogia - This is a time for celebrating God's mystery's. It lasts from Easter to Pentecost (Pentecost is when the church celebrates its birth in the Holy Spirit)

Parishoners - How you can help

The parishioners of our parish are an essential part of the process for all those people that are seeking to come into the Roman Catholic Church. As Christians we are called by our baptism to evangelize others, share the good news, and share our faith. What better way than right here within our parish.

There are two very important ways to do this. The first is to pray for all those who have joined the R.C.I.A. asking the Lord to guide them, bless them, and create in them a call to holiness, and His Church.

The second is a much more direct way. It is becoming a sponsor for one of the Candidates or Catechumens. It is for members of out parish who desire to respond to God's invitation to deepen their own spirituality by involving and investing themselves in the lives and the spiritual journey of those whom God is drawing ever more closely to Himself.  It puts you in the position of being a friend, and guide for one of these. Often beautiful, and lasting friendships develop out of this process.  Please give prayerful consideration to being a sponsor. You will not be sorry.