R.C.I.A.... A JOURNEY IN FAITH

is a four stage process through which adults become Catholic or join in full communion with the Catholic Church.

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.)

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.

• 1. Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry)
  A time for reflection about your personal story with a deeper awareness of God’s action in your life.

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

Listen to Trish Galea’s witness talk regarding her personal journey through the RCIA process:

Listen to Jeff Courtney’s witness talk regarding his personal journey through the RCIA process:

 

RCIA is also an Adult Faith Formation 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!