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 Rite
of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) invites
non-Catholics to enter into a period of inquiry - a period of asking
questions about the faith of Catholics and of life in our parish
community. If you are an adult who has not been baptized or a non-Catholic
Christian and would like to discover more about becoming a Catholic
please contact Fr. Michael at 562-3450 or by e-mail OLBS-Vicar@comcast.net
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Interested
in Becoming Catholic? Classes forming soon!
If
you are interested in becoming Catholic or know someone who
has an interest, please contact the Rectory at 562-3450 and
give your name, address, and telephone number. RCIA Session
will begin in September. Our sessions are also open to any
Catholic who is not fully initiated. this means any Catholic
who has not received all three sacraments of initiation -
Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confimation - is also invited.
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Outline
for Christian Initation of Adults
September
- Inquiry
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
This
is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction
to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
First
Sunday of Advent
First Step: Acceptance into the Order of Catecumens
This
is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on some annual date or
dates, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the
candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond
to God's call to follow the way of Christ.
Period
of the Catechumenate
This is the time, in duration corresponding to the progress of the
individual, for the nurturing and growth of the catechumens' faith
and conversion to God; celebrations of the word and prayers of exocism
and blessing are meant to assist the process.
First
Sunday of Lent (St Michael's Cathedral)
Second Step: Election or Enrollment of Names
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday
of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens'
readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens,
now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments.
Period
of Purification and Enlightenment
This is the time immediately preceding the elects' initiation, usually
the Lenten season preceding the celebration of this initiation at
the Easter Vigil; it is a time of reflection, intensely centered
on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and presentations
and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.
Easter
Vigil
Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
This is the liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter
Vigil, by which the elect are initiated through Baptism, Confimation,
and the Eucharist.
Period
of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy
This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration
of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being
fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis
and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday
Eucharistic celebration. This period ends on Pentecost Sunday.
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