Come and See

1
Come and See

• An Introduction to the RCIA Process
• At St. Francis of Assisi Parish
• South Windsor CT

2
What is the RCIA?

• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Also OCIA Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Rituals Word
• Sacraments
• Journey of Discernment
• Call and Conversion
• Faith and Commitment
• Phases and Time
• Periods of the Year
• Liturgical Year of
• The Church

3
For Whom is the RCIA ?

• Those who are unbaptized who are not already
  Christians
• Baptized Christians, but uncatechized, in the
  Catholic or other Christian traditions, not
  having received Confirmation or Eucharist
• Those seeking full communion with the Catholic
  Church, baptized practicing Christians from other
  denominations

4
RCIA is a journey of faith

• From the awareness of stirring of faith and
  curiosity within ones heart
• to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in
  communion with Catholics throughout the world.

5
RCIA is a journey of faith

• through all those stages of asking and seeking,
• through beginning involvement with
  Christian/Catholic people,
• through hearing the Gospel proclaimed and by
  faithful reflection and prayer on this Word of
  God,
• through study and discussion about the Catholic
  experience,
• through doubts and hesitations,
• through involvement in the works of charity and
  justice with those already committed to the
  Catholic way of life,
• through discernment of God's call for them as
  individuals,
• through the steps of commitment,
• through the sacraments of initiation (baptism,
  confirmation, and eucharist)

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RCIA is Process of Conversion

• Stages
• Period of Inquiry/Pre-catechumenate
• Catechumenate
• Purification and Enlightenment
• Mystagogy

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First Stage Inquiry

• Individual express interest
• With help of Parish, time of exploration
• questions, dialogue
• Open ended, inquirer decides when to move on
• No particular rituals, Parish is open and
  listening

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Second Stage Catechumenate

• Catechesis Hearing the Word
• Time of learning and deepening faith
• Study of teaching, activity and traditions of the
  Church, regular Catechetical sessions
• Study of the Gospels, as formative
• Learning to live as a Catholic Christian
• Catechumens and Candidates
• Rituals include
• Rite of Acceptance welcoming by the Parish
• Breaking Open the Word Sunday Gospels

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Third Stage Purification and Enlightenment

• Coincides with Lent
• Preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation at
  the Easter Vigil
• Prayer and deepening of Spirituality
• The Elect
• Rituals include
• Rite of Election Sending and blessing of the
  Parish, Enrollment in Book of Elect and blessing
  of Diocese from the Archbishop
• The Scrutinies Three Sundays of Lent
• Easter Vigil Baptism, Confirmation, and
  Eucharist, affirmed by the Parish Reception into
  the Church

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Fourth Stage Mystagogy

• Post baptismal catechesis
• Easter to Pentecost, with Parish Celebration
• Becomes a lifelong process to live and deepen
  ones faith and membership in the Church
• Neophytes
• No formal Rituals

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Ministries and Roles in RCIA

• Parish Community
• Sponsors
• Catechists
• Coordinator
• Parish Pastoral Team (Director of Religious
  Education, Liturgy and Music Ministry, Pastor,
  Priests Deacon)

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The Parish Is The Key

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RCIA at St. Francis of Assisi Parish

• Inquiry begins formally in September 2007
• Catechumenate in Late Fall
• Purification and Enlightenment
• Ash Wednesday, February 6, 2008
• Holy Week, March 16 -20, 2008
• Triduum, March 20-23, 2008
• Easter Vigil, March 22, 2008
• Mystagogy
• Pentecost, May 11, 2008

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Questions and Discussion

• For more information,
• or to talk
• Mark Cerrato, DRE
• 860-528-8288 dre_at_stf.necoxmail.com
• Joe Coray, Coordinator
• 860-841-5226 jcoray_at_att.net