- Home
- Staff
- About Us
- Activities
- Funeral & Pre-Planning
- Liturgy/Music
- Ministries & Services
- Solo Group Activities
- Links
|
THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person into believing with the Church community (doctrinal formation), living with the Church community (practical formation), praying with the Church community (liturgical formation), and serving with the Church community (apostolic formation). This gradual development culminates in the celebration of the Initiation Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist at the Easter
Vigil.
The central and unifying principle of the RCIA process is conversion. By entering into the conversion journey through the RCIA process, people join the paschal journey of Jesus Christ and are introduced to Church doctrine, life, liturgy, and apostolic work. The RCIA process allows for an all-inclusive and ongoing formation
in the Catholic faith.
The RCIA process is designed primarily for those seeking baptism. However, because of the nature of conversion as an ongoing process, the RCIA process can be adapted for those who were baptized in other Christian denominations and are now seeking membership in the Roman Catholic Church. The RCIA process can also be adapted to accommodate baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation as well as Catholics who have already received all of the sacraments but have been away from the Church for a period of time. The RCIA process is flexible and respects the faith development of each individual while maintaining the ideals and visions of the Catholic community.
The Rite of Christian Initiation can be likened to the “welcoming” of a new family member. As the new member grows into the particular ways of a family's living, the various members share their values, beliefs, and visions. In this interaction the family creates itself anew; it creates its own identity. This “making” necessarily involves not only the formation of a new member, but the formation of the family itself. |
Getting Started For more information on St. Elizabeth Seton Church and the R.C.I.A. program, or if you are interested in being a sponsor or helping in some way, please contact Herma Allocco at (623) 566-9415 or contact them by e-mail: lallocco@azboss.net Schedule
|
|
What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)? The
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is
a process of learning what the Catholic Church believes and teaches and
discerning what it means to be a member of the Catholic faith
community. Those attending are in various phases of their
journey of faith. Some have
not been baptized; some have been baptized in other faiths; some are
simply inquiring; some have already decided to join the Catholic
Church; some are Catholics
who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation; some are Catholics that
wish to return to active involvement in their faith. The process
also includes practicing Catholics who wish to be RCIA sponsors or just
deepen their own understanding of what it means to Catholic.
The
contact for the RCIA program at St. Elizabeth Seton is Herma Allocco,
623-566-9415 (email lallocco@azboss.net). When
is RCIA held? How long does it last? At St.
Elizabeth Seton Parish the RCIA process lasts approximately 7 months. The process begins each September
and concludes at the Easter Vigil (Easter weekend). The classes
are held on Thursday evenings in the If I choose to
join the Catholic Church, who will sponsor
me? The role of the sponsor is vital. The sponsor, with the assistance of the sponsor coordinator, serves as a friend, guide and mentor for the candidate. Some candidates may have already chosen a sponsor. If a candidate has not chosen a sponsor, the RCIA sponsor co-coordinator will help them to find one. Sponsors often attend the weekly RCIA classes with their candidates and share their own prayer life with them thereby introducing the candidate to some of the Catholic devotions, activities and ministries in our Parish. All of this is intended to help the candidate become an active and vital part of our Catholic family. Why would
someone who is already Catholic attend RCIA? The weekly RCIA classes are a great source of information for any adult Catholic who wants to learn more about his/her Catholic faith. Under the direction of Father Franklin Bartel, Herma Allocco is the coordinator for the RCIA program at the Catholic Parish of St. Elizabeth Seton. Herma is supported by RCIA team members who are parishioners at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish. What
are the formal names for each stage of RCIA? The
RCIA is a journey which gently leads adults, whether unbaptized or already
baptized in another Christian faith tradition, into a deeper relationship
with Jesus Christ in and through the Catholic Church. It is a
time of discernment broken up into four distinct
stages: 1. The
Period of Evangelization (Precatechumenate) - a time of inquiry and
reflection to help the inquirer discern God's call in his/her life.
Weekly sessions help the inquirer better understand the teachings of Jesus
Christ, who founded the Catholic Church. At the conclusion of this
period, inquirers are invited to celebrate a welcoming rite (Rite of
Acceptance), at which time they become catechumens or candidates and
formally request membership in the Church. 2. The
Period of The Catechumenate
- a time to deepen one's faith centered around the study and sharing of,
and reflection upon, the Sunday readings from Sacred Scripture, with the
intent of becoming fully initiated into the Catholic Church. This
period concludes with the Rite of Election. 3. The
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
- the final preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,
Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). The catechumens, the candidates
and the entire Parish community are called to reform their lives according
to the demands of the gospel. This period, marked by soulful prayer
and reflection, concludes with the reception of the Sacraments of
Initiation by those in the RCIA. 4. Mystagogia (Leading into the Mysteries) - a time for the community and the newly-initiated Catholics to grow together. This includes opportunities to begin participating in various parish ministries. Mystagogia is the beginning of a lifelong pilgrimage. It is a continuous conversion of the heart, mind and spirit as we strive to move ever closer to Jesus Christ. Why would I consider joining the Catholic Church, especially
if I am already Christian? Many inquirers who choose to come into full communion with the Catholic Church experience a return to the roots of Christianity, because the Catholic Church traces its unbroken traditions to Jesus Christ and His apostles. These inquirers find unity and consistency between the Gospel message and Catholic beliefs, teachings and practices. Others are inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Augustine, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II, and others who led holy and virtuous lives. The inquirers who choose to come into full communion with the Catholic Church also find joy in the Sacraments, God's gift of abundance to us all. The Sacraments are the strength of the Church and a focal point of our lives as Catholic Christians, bringing grace from God through the Church. the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation/Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony (Marriage) and Holy Orders. Home Staff About Us Activities Liturgy/Music Ministries & Services Solo Group Activities Funeral
Pre-Planning Links
Created
by W.G.Hicks
|