As I mentioned in my homily last weekend, RCIA is starting this week here are St Pascals. It was 28 years ago that I started my way into the Catholic Church through the RCIA process at Transfiguration Church. Thus RCIA has a special place in my heart and was a powerful part of my journey into faith in Jesus Christ.
The RCIA is a direct result of the Second Vatican Council and was an effort to return adult initiation back to the early centuries of Church history. In those days, adults that were interested in becoming Christian would have sponsors and participate in an approximately two-year process of instruction and initiation. They would join the house Church community on Sunday (Mass) and be with the community for the readings and homily. They would then be dismissed with a Catechist during the Eucharist prayer to receive instruction.
The language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.
A big component of the RCIA process is having parishioners involved in creating a community that journeys with the Catechumens and Candidates to the Easter Vigil. Even after 28 years, I find each year of RCIA to be a fresh and wonderful experience. Each mix of inquirers, sponsors, and parish participants provides a unique experience and I always learn and have my faith deepened and expanded.
I would like to invite you if you are interested, to consider being part of the RCIA group this year. We need parish sponsors and parish participants that are willing to come to the sessions and share their Catholic faith. Also, if you are interested in refreshing your Catholic faith you are also always welcome to join us for any sessions you would like. If you are interested and want more information, you can contact me or Kim Roering.
The current schedule of RCIA sessions is below. I am planning on putting a notice in the Pulse and Bulletin the week or weekend ahead of the RCIA sessions. Of course, I missed doing this for our first session which will have happened by the time you read this.
St Pascal Baylon, RCIA Session Schedule for 2022-2023
All Sessions are from 6:30-8 pm on Wednesdays in the Founders Room
October 19, RCIA and Our Image of God
November 2, Who and What is the Church, Mary and the Saints, Tour of the Catholic Church
November 16, Advent and the Liturgical Year
November 30, Scripture
December 14, Jesus Christ
January 4, The Mass
January 18, Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism and Confirmation
February 1, Sacraments of Service: Marriage
February 15, Sacraments of Service: Holy Orders
March 1, Eucharist
Saturday, March 11 9-12am, Prayer Retreat
March 15, Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing
March 29, Salvation, Morality and Sin
April 12, Mystagogy and Discipleship
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Deacon Richard
Comments
There are no comments yet - be the first one to comment: