Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
What is the R.C.I.A.?
The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Catechumenate, is a process of faith formation and conversion. It is the Church's process of initiating adults in the Roman Catholic Faith. In the R.C.I.A., those interested in learning about our faith come together on a weekly basis to learn about the scriptures and the teachings of the Catholic Church, and at the same time, to discover where God is present in their lives.
The process is designed for those adults and children (children attend a separate group) over the age of seven who are:
* unbaptized
* baptized in another faith tradition
* baptized Catholic, but with no further
catechesis (faith formation or religious
training) or sacraments.
Here at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, the adults gather on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, call the Director of R.C.I.A. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kathy Powers,
(816) 232-2847 or e-mail ksuepowers@gmail.com. We welcome the oportunity to talk with Inquirers over the summers months in preparation for the sessions which begin in September.
The Children's Catechumenate
Children ages seven through high school are companioned through a process of faith formation and conversion. During this process, Toni Hamera meets one-on-one with children, or small groups of children in age-appropriate settings, to help them learn about the scriptures and the Catholic faith. This process culminates at the Easter Vigil with the reception of the appropriate Sacraments of Initiation. FOR MORE INFORMATION, call Director of Religious Education for Children at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Toni Hamera, (816) 232-2847 or e-mail tonihamera@gmail.com.
The R.C.I.A. Process: The First Stage
The Period of Inquiry (Precatechumenate)
The period of Inquiry is a time for:
* asking questions about the Catholic faith
* building community within the group
* developing a trusting atmosphere
It's also a time for:
* examining God's presence in our lives, past and
present
* learning about prayer
* spiritual growth and conversion
* developing or growing in our relationship with
God
* getting to know the Church
We pay close attention to the Sunday gospel and discuss what it means in our lives. We tour our Church and also discuss topics such as:
* What brought you to the R.C.I.A.?
* What is your image of God?
* Prayer and liturgy, including parts of the Mass.
* Who is Jesus Christ?
* Who is the Holy Spirit?
* Who is the Trinity?
* The seasons of the church.
* The bible.
* The Saints and the Communion of Saints.
* Mary and the Rosary
The R.C.I.A. Process: The Second Stage
The Period of the Catechumenate (Study)
This period of study is a time for
* Continuing to Break Open the Word, or making
connections between the Sunday readings and
our own lived experience of God's presence.
* Continuing to build community within our
group and getting to know some of the parish
community.
* Growing in faith and learning to know more
about the basic teachings and beliefs of the
Catholic Church.
* Continuing to build our prayer life and growing
in our relationship with God.
We continue to reflect on the Sunday readings and discuss what it means in our lives. We learn about:
* The seven sacraments: Baptism, Confrimation,
Eucharist, Reconciliation, Holy Orders,
Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick.
* The Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.
* Christian morality.
* Catholic Social Teaching (the dignity of human
life).
* And much more . . . . . .
The R.C.I.A. Process: The Third Stage
Mystagogia
Mystagogia is the period between Easter and Pentecost. At Our Lady of Guadlaupe Parish, the newly-initiated will continue to gather for approximately four Sundays following Easter, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It is a time for:
* living the sacramental life
* living out the gospel way of life
* becoming more involved in the parish
We also discuss
* evangelization
* stewardship
* ministry in the Church
We continue to reflect on the Sunday readings and discuss what it means to us in our lives.
The R.C.I.A. Process: The Last Stage
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
A "rite" is a formal ritual of the Church.
The Rite of Acceptance, the first rite of the R.C.I.A. process, takes place within the context of a Sunday Mass. Those wishing to enter into the second stage of the R.C.I.A. (the Catechumenate) make a plublic commitment to accept the way of the cross, and the members of our parish family gathered at that Mass, welcome these individuals and promise to support them in their ongoing journey of faith. The candidates (already baptized) and catechumens (unbaptized) are signed with the sign of the cross to remind them of their commitment, and they also receive the Word of God, to remind them of this source of Jesus' presence with us.
The Rite of Sending, is prayed over the Candidates and Catechumens at Sunday Mass, before they attend (that afternoon) the Rite of Election. This is a sending forth rite, which symbolizes the parish sending the candidates to the Rite of Election with our love, prayers, and support.
The Rite of Election, is a ritual that takes place at the Co-Cathedral in St. Joseph, 519 North Tenth St. This Rite is celebrated on the same day in our Dioceses in the world. Our diocesan Bishop, Robert W. Finn, D.D., will be present at the Cathedral to rejoice with all those gathered, God's presence and action in their lives. Those wishing to be baptized in the Catholic Church come forward to officially enter their names in the Book of Elect, which signifies their intention to be initiated at the Easter Vigil. The Bishop joyfully welcomes them as children of God, as well as those we have already been baptized, but seek full communion of the Catholic Church.
The Rites of Scrutiny, are celebrated at three weekend Masses during the period of Lent. These prayerful rites are designed to help those seeking initiation in the Catholic Church, as well as the gathered assembly, overcome areas of weakness, and strengthen areas of goodness. The parish family joins together in prayer, asking that God purify our hears and help our Elect and Chosen Ones to be ready to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. The Scrutiny Rites take place on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent.
For more information, contact Director of the R.C.I.A., Kathy Powers, (816) 232-2847 or-email: ksuepowers@gmail.com.
|
