Rcia

N"TOUNNTY IN

J*'""q

teBl

fAITH

St. Stephen Catholic Parish R.C.I.A. Sessions

%,,ffi$

201,4

-

2015

Sour"n, ihiitian inttiatton of adults. Our Sunday Visitor' 2004' and How t""o^ugotblig Liturgt Training Publication' 1987'

i.t

" ""r*n

Becoming a Catholic: (a catechumen or a caniliilate) The Rite of Christian Lritiation, or catechumenate, is the way the church helps an unbaptized person prepare for and reflect on baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. A Person in the

catechummate is called a catechumen.

Others whci are already bapfized, but preparing for reception into fulI communion with the Roman tradition is not necessarily led through the fulIcatechumenal process and we call him or her a candidate.

How iloes Christian Initiation take place?

All parishes of a diocese are united through the ministry of the bishop who, as clrief pastor, is responsible for the initiation of new Catholic Christians. The bishop's role is clearly seen when he meets the catechumens for the rite of election (at the beginning of Lent). This liturgy, celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, beautifully demonstrates the diversity and unity of the church into which new members are initiated.

Stages of the Catechumenate

I. Period of lnquiry The gospel of ]esus Christ is proclaimed, inquirers reflect on their own lives, ask questions, find out more about the church and the faith. After this period some inquirers choose not to Pursue initiation.

Il.

Perioil of the Cathechumenate Those who profess their faith in ]esus Christ and sincerely desire to enter the drurch are accepted into the order of catechumens.

With the help of a sPonsor and members of the parish, the catechumens experience the church as a community of believers; their spirit, their work, their prayer, their creed and their mission.

A person may remain a catechumen from a few months to a number of years.

IlI. P erio d of Purification A formal invitation at the rite of election for those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigtl. (They are now called "elect").

This will take place at the Co-Cathedral with the bishop presiding.

Lent becomes a time of final preparation. There are the rites of scrutiny when the community prays special Prayers for the elect, they are given a copy of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

IV. Sacraments of lnitiation Irr the early Churctu the Easter Vigil was the only liturgy of the year in which people joined the Church. This was because at Easter we celebrate Chrisfs victory over death and our sharing in that victory through baptism. The joumey during that all-night vigil was a journey from darkness to ligh! from death to life. This is the journey that new Christians share, as they descend and rise fonn the waters of baptism, in which they are reborn.

At the Easter Vigrl the elect are bapttzed and confirmed; candidates are confirmed. The new Catholics complete their initiation by approa"lt itg the Lord's table for the first time to receive His Body, as full members of His Body at last.

V.Perioil of Mystagogy

The final period of Christian initiation is

called

"Mystagogy" (from the Greek, meaning "interpretation of mystery"). It continues through the Easter season, up until Pentecost. During this period, the new Catholics, or "neophytes," are "deepening their grasP of the paschal mystery and making it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospe| sharing in the Eucharist, and doing the works of charity". Throughout the RCIA, the support and witress of the entire parish has been important. That role continues during mystagogy, as the parish welcomes the neophytes and

continues to offer them encouragement on their journey with us toward Christ.

R.C.I.A. ClassSchedule 201.4-2015 Sunday morning at L0:30 a.m- $PAMBldg)

]anuary 25,2015 February 1,2015 February 8,2015

(Sun) October 72,2014 The Existence of God (Sun) October 19,2O't4 Sacramentals & SPirit of PraYer (Sun) October 26,2014 Divine Revelation

February L5,2075 (Tues) February 17,2015 Shrove TuesdaY

(Wed) February L8,201.5 Ash WednesdaY

Story of the PeoPle of God

November 9,20!4 The Catholic Church ,,,RITE,or, E[,EcTto1v,,,,,,,,, ,,i:bo,,p,*,, Co.1.C= athedral,,,,,, Ma"cn:,t,, 2bt5., .,,, .,,,.,,, .,

November L6,2014 The Mass November 2g,2}l4 Advent & the Liturgical Year

i

December 21,2014 Outreach with CCD (Thurs) December 24-25, 2074 Midnight Mass (Sun) |anuary 4,2075 EpiPhanY Celebration

January \1,2075 January L8,2015

.

.:I

I

.:.

:

.

i,.,,,,,,, ;-matgr:a; tots :..:..:..:..:..:..:. :. :. :. :.:. ;

(Thurs) November 28, 2Ol4 Thanksgiving DaY Mass 9:00 a.m.

November 30,2014 Join in Parish Feast Celebration December 7,20\4 Immaculate ConcePtion December 14,2074 Origins & Traditions of Christmas

.:.

.

:

i...i...:.:i.

I

.

I

:

.

I

., ., ., :,

;,,,,,,,.,,,.,First,Siiutinyi::::::::::

:

r::::

:.

.

:

i,.,.,.,..;,,,1..,:,i,;ffriid.5"*fl4ti,,.:,;,:,;,r,;,:.,,:

: :

": : : ' :i:.:.:i:.:.:i:.:.:i:.:.: 2e.,2015,:,,,:,,,.,,,.,,,:,'

,.:::.:.::i::::::

:,:.:.i,:i..:i,i:.:i;,MilrCh,

:

:

:,.,:,rltn",iS*.ah11,,C,.rlAy,W,ebk.,i,.

: . : : i : : : : . : : : :;i.'.:;,.:l;:.,.:.,;:.,.:.:l:l:.:l:.:l:l:.:.:l:.:.:.: :

. ..

I

.

: .

.

.

..

..

...:.,nerit,

2rr4i, ?0ls .

.

i

.

.

.

:

.

., :, ., :, .,

'

,,,:,;,:,,,:,;,r,,,:,,EaStet,Triduurn:,,,:i:,,,,:::,,,,, :,,,

i..,;'.,II,APr'il,e,,20Xe,,,',,,,,.

.,,,.,,,Retreat:ffiomlng),,,,,,, .,,,.,east+r,Vi$lt,(lunse!),,,, ,,,Conf.,erring:o{,fie,S,4Cuannsli

APril5,2015 EASTER SUNDAY RCIA continues with MystagogY

.