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Serving our God, our Church, our School, our Community

RCIA

 

 

At Saint Joseph Parish, The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a group of Catholics and Non-Catholics who wish to learn about the Catholic faith.  They are initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.  The group meets on Mondays at 7pm starting in September until Easter.  

For adults today, the Church, after the Second Vatican Council, has restored the order of the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher. This includes an initiation into the mystery of salvation, the practice of faith, hope, and love, and other virtues in a succession of liturgical rites.

Persons baptized into another Christian church and now seeking full communion with the Catholic Church are also welcomed to participate along with catechumens in the RCIA in the process of learning about the Catholic faith and being formed in that faith. They bring to the process of preparation their prior experience of Christian life and prayer. For a baptized Christian, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church involves reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and then a Profession of Faith followed by the celebration of Confirmation and the Eucharist.

 

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN INITIATION?

Christian Initiation refers to the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Holy Communion) through which one becomes a full member of the Christian community. These sacraments are celebrated at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter season. The RCIA process is specific to those entering the Catholic Church.

 

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN RCIA?

The RCIA program consists of weekly meetings throughout the school year where questions about the Catholic Church, relationship with Jesus, issues of faith, church practices, etc. are discussed. Weekly discussions are accompanied by the Catholicism Series or Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained, both are stunning video series that systematically presents the BIG picture of the Catholic Faith.

RCIA participants are encouraged to pray daily and to attend Mass on a regular basis. Preparation for the various rites that are celebrated as part of the RCIA process is also part of the program.

 

HOW DO IS SIGN UP?

Please contact the Jessica Plaspohl at 330-928-2173 or jplaspohl@saintjoe.org with any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions about RCIA. 

 

If you have any additional questions, please contact Jessica Plaspohl at 330-928-2173 or jplaspohl@saintjoe.org

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church

 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Holy See (Vatican.va)