Catholic 101.... A JOURNEY IN FAITH
Catholic 101...
is a four stage process through which adults become Catholic or join in full communion with the Catholic Church.
This process is for you ...
if you have never been baptized but desire to belong to a community of believers.
if you have been baptized in another Christian tradition and want to know more about the Catholic Church.
if you were baptized Catholic but have not received the other Sacraments of Initiation ( Confirmation and Eucharist.)
What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults?
R.C.I.A. (also called the Catechumenate) is an ongoing, continuous process through which the Catholic Church welcomes new members.
The Catechumenate process takes place within the parish community and it involves prayer, personal reflection, song, listening, Scripture, anointing, celebration, liturgy, sacraments, fellowship, trust and acceptance.
There are four stages:
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1. Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry)
A time for reflection about your personal story with a deeper awareness of God’s action in your life.
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2. Catechumenate
A period of study and reflection in which participants will deepen their faith and commitment to the gospel way of life.
A sponsor and the parish community are integral in this stage.
Breaking Open the Word
During the Catechumenate, participants attend Mass together. After the homily the presider calls them forward, blesses them, and a catechist leads them out to continue to partake of God’s Word while the parish community partakes of the Eucharist.
Sponsor
Each participant will have a sponsor from Holy Family’s parish community who will walk with them through the process.
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3. Purification and Enlightenment
A period which occurs during Lent and is marked by intense spiritual preparation and prayer before celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation:
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
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4. Mystagogia
Means “to savor the mysteries.” This period occurs during the 50 days of celebration from Easter to Pentecost. The new Catholics reflect on the Easter Sacraments.
Rites
To Learn more about the Rites that celebrate the various stages of Catholic 101 (RCIA)
Catholic 101, 101a, and 201 opportunity open to everyone in the parish – so if there are certain topics that
you would like to learn more about, please just come! – no registration needed!