RCIA
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (and children/teens) is the process through which adults (and children/teens) become members of the Catholic Faith. If you have never been baptized, or if you have been baptized in another Christian church, you are invited to attend. If you were baptized as a Catholic but never received any faith formation and never received the remainder of the sacraments of initiation (i.e., Confirmation/and Eucharist) this process may be for you as well.
Recognizing that each person’s relationship with God is unique; the Church in her wisdom invites people to enter the process known as RCIA to assist each person on their own journey.
The RCIA JOURNEY HAS THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
- The period of Inquiry is the time when people ask questions about the Catholic Faith. In this period, they learn about the Scriptures, Salvation, Jesus and the kingdom message. There is no time requirement assigned to this period. When a person is ready then they move on.
- The period of Catechumenate begins when a person has accepted the saving power of Christ in their life. They are formally welcomed in the Rite of Election by St. Thomas the Apostle community at a Sunday Mass, and they are called catechumens or candidates. During this time they attend the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)classes to learn more Scripture, the sacraments, how to live a moral life, and the ritual and the life of the church. They attend Mass and are called to reflect more deeply on the Word of God.
- The Period of Purification and Enlightenment corresponds to the beginning of Lent. It is the time when the candidates are called a special name, “the Elect” and are encouraged to develop and increase their prayer life. The period normally begins with a Rite of Election celebrated at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. It is their first exposure to a larger church and to our shepherd, the Bishop.
- The candidates who seek full membership into the Catholic Church join on Easter Vigil(the night before Easter). The St. St Thomas the Apostle community joyfully celebrates the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
- The period of Mystagogy completes the initiation process. It begins after Easter Sunday and extends into Pentecost. During this time, the newly initiated are called Neophytes and are encouraged to reflect on their experience and their new life in the church.
For more information on the 2017-18 RCIA program, contact Deacon Bill Cleavelin, 361-208-2146 or bill@whccpa.com.
Great Catholic families make mistakes: As Catholics, we believe that we are created in the image and likeness of God ... but this doesn’t mean that we are gods. The older we get, the more we realize how human we all are. We let each other down. We fail. We sin. And yet, to thrive as individuals and as a family, we have learned that there is a fine line between making a mistake and believing that you are a mistake. God does not make mistakes. We are each created with dignity, and we are all special in God’s eyes. Great Catholic families know that shame is hard to undo once it’s done. Even the biggest mistakes require a healthy dose of patience and love in order to ensure that they don’t become weak spots in an otherwise strong family. Faith Builder: Does your family keep alive old wounds? Take some time together to bury old mistakes and genuinely move on from them. Great Catholic families fight fair: As much as we wish family life were perfect, the reality is that all families experience conflict. We’re going to fight. Not selling siblings into slavery like Joseph’s brothers did is a good start, but even fighting has rules. Families that fight fair carry with them an application of the Ten Commandments, even when they are in the middle of a family crisis. Some examples: Steering clear of using the Lord’s name in vain in a heated debate. Honoring mothers and fathers (and daughters and sons and sisters and brothers and so on). Telling the truth, gently, even though it may hurt. Family members who fight for personal victory miss out on how great it feels to work through a struggle together, and win as a team. Great Catholic families check tempers, are respectful of one anothers’ strengths and weaknesses, and always remember that obstacles make us stronger Faith Builder: Create and display your family’s rules for conflict: “No sulking, no lying, no grudges, etc.” This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.
Gracious God, your ways are greater than our hearts can comprehend; Your love is immense; your mercy and forgiveness stretch beyond the limits of our understanding. Teach us to know your ways, and give us the grace to focus always on your love, so that we may share that love in the world through our stewardship of all we are and have and will be. We ask this in the name of the One whose way is our way, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. This article comes to you from Grace In Action ( Our Sunday Visitor ) courtesy of your parish or diocese.
Lk 14:1, 7-11 Jesus tells the guests at the home of the Pharisee that self-exaltation must not be sought as in a guest seeking the place of honor at the dinner table. Jesus then addresses the host by saying that invitations must never be given with the expectation of some reciprocal act. To be humble and to serve generously and freely is the better way. May we always be humble and generous as God wills. St. Charles, pray for us. This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.
“Each time we bend down to the needs of our brothers and sisters, we give Jesus something to eat and drink; we clothe, we help, and we visit the Son of God (cf. Mt 25:40). In a word, we touch the flesh of Christ.” — Pope Francis Reflection : How do you to contribute to efforts that ensure others have their basic needs met? How do these actions of touching the flesh of Christ connect to your touching the flesh of Christ in the Eucharist? This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.
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