RCIA Information
Catechumens and Candidates for 2009-2010:
Those inquirers who demonstrated a serious interest in converting to the
Catholic faith participated in the Rite of Welcome at the 9AM mass on
January 10, 2010. They became either a catechumen (not-baptized) or
candidate (baptized Christian). They were called and welcomed by name into
this worshipping community. They were marked with the cross by their
sponsor, the sign of Christ’s love for all of us.
The catechumens, candidates and their sponsors for 2009-2010 are as follows:
| Catechumen | Sponsor |
| Nhu-Nguyen Do | Linh Doan |
| Brion Ehret | Joseph Ehret |
| Rainie Gassen | Diana Stewart |
| Aubrey Hill | Nancy Lynch |
| Kenneth Peace | Helen Lightle |
| Lisa Pettigrew | Nick Puhala |
| Christopher Woods | Gary Gill |
| Candidate | Sponsor |
| Catherine Duke | Beth Saraf |
| Gert Campher | Paige O’Connor |
| Monica Stroud | Molly Mahoney |
| Mark Stroud | Tommy Mahoney |
| Edgar Smith | Chris Smith |
| Cristina Sanchez | Michelle Lopez |
| Isidro Sanchez | Juan Lopez |
| Susan Meyers | Samantha Lambert |
| Brooke McBride | Brenda Marchand |
| Christel Hilden | Setona Page |
| Christy Harpring | Michael Ellison |
| Patricia Brown | Jacqueline Elmore |
| Benjamin Blauth | George Beckett |
| Lara Blauth | Michelle Beckett |
| Stephen Rashleigh | Giff Lorenz |
The next rite is the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Election (First Sunday of Lent) which will be on February 21, 2010.
The RCIA Process:
Since the days of the Apostles, becoming a Christian has been
accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. During the
Second Vatican Council there was a call for the reinstatement of the Cathechumentate. Thus, in January, 1972 there was a promulgation by Pope
Paul VI of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Catechism of the
Catholic Church #1232) Catechumenate is derived from the Greek (catechoumenos)
and means “instruction”. Catechumanate is the entire RCIA process. In the
early church, as in the restored catechumenate, Baptism, Confirmation and
Eucharist were one celebration, one rite of receiving new members into the
community.
The RCIA is the process through which interested adults are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life. It is a communal process and involves a number of stages and liturgical rites (Rite of Welcome, Rite of Sending, Rite of Election) to assist the potential convert toward the final rite, the Easter Vigil at which time they will become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church prefers to call this a process and not a program. The RCIA is far more than an academic study of the Catholic faith but requires conversion via a deeply personal journey by the cathecumens/candidates.
Through the RCIA, the Catholic Church extends an invitation to the
following:
Those who are not associated with a community of faith and who wish to
become Catholic
Those who want to convert to Catholicism from another faith
Those who want to learn about the Catholic faith
Terms used in the RCIA:
Catechumen – A person who has never been baptized and is
preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil through baptism,
confirmation and eucharist.
Candidate – One who is already baptized in another
Christian faith and who now is preparing to be received into full communion
in the Catholic Church. At the time of full communion, he or she will make a
profession of faith, be confirmed and receive eucharist Inquirers
– Those who participate in the Inquiry Phase or Pre-Catechumenate Phase.
They are inquiring into Catholicism.
Elect – The name given to catechumens on the first Sunday
of Lent signifying being chosen by God
Catechist – persons from clergy, religious or lay person
who instruct others in the Catholic faith
Sponsor - A strong practicing Catholic who accompanies the
candidate or catechumen on their RCIA journey
Phases and Rites of the RCIA
Phase one – Inquiry Phase
Rite of Welcoming (generally during Advent) – Formally
known as “The Celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens and the Rite of Welcoming Baptized but Previously Uncatechized
Adults Who are Preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist into Full Communion
of the Catholic Church”
Rite of Sending (First Sunday of Lent) – Rite of Sending
Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop
Rite of Election (First Sunday of Lent) - Formally known
as “The Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to
Continuing Conversion of Candidates Who are Preparing for Confirmation and
Eucharist into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church”.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment (during Lent) -
Include Scrutinies on 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent which includes
exorcism prayer for deliverance from sin in order to strengthen the faithful
to the Word of God. Also involves laying of hands by the presider and
sponsors on the heads of the Elect and Candidates. This is an ancient sign
of forgiveness, healing and empowerment. The Gospel readings during the
Scrutinies includes a focus on thirst and water (Samaritan woman whom Jesus
meets at Jacob’s well), darkness and light (healing and coming to faith of
the man born blind) and death and life (raising of Lazarus from the dead).
Easter Vigil – Celebration of three Sacraments: Baptism
(beginning of new life), Confirmation (strengthening of life ) and Eucharist
(nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation
in Christ) The Elect are now called Neophytes (newly planted) until
Pentecost
Final Phase – Mystagogy which in Greek means “entering more
deeply into the mysteries”. Mystagogy is the 50 day period from Easter
Sunday until Pentecost.
RCIA classes meet every Tuesday night (Oct. thru Easter) from 7:00PM - 8:30PM in Meeting Room B. Classes are open to all Catholics and Non-Catholics interested in learning more about the faith. Please call the church office for more information or to sign up (355-1523).
The 2009-2010 schedule is as follows:
| September 22 | Introduction |
| September 29 | Tour of the church |
| October 6 | The Trinity |
| October 13 | Jesus - The Center of History |
| October 20 | Mary - The Blessed Mother |
| October 27 | Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell |
| November 3 | Scripture and Tradition |
| November 10 | Church Structure - The Hierarchy |
| November 17 | The Mass |
| November 24 | The Liturgical Calendar |
| December 1 | Church History |
| December 8 | Saints and Angels |
| December 15 | Catholic Devotions |
| December 22 | NO CLASS |
| December 29 | NO CLASS |
| January 2 | Baptism and Confirmation |
| January 10 | Sunday - Rite of Welcoming |
| January 12 | The Holy Eucharist |
| January 19 | Penance and Anointing of the Sick |
| January 26 | Holy Orders |
| February 2 | Matrimony |
| February 9 | Christian Morality (Part 1) |
| February 16 | Christian Morality (Part 2) |
| February 21 | Sunday - Rite of Sending (SJC), Rite of Election (Cathedral) |
| February 23 | Catholic Social Justice |
| March 2 | Prayer |
| March 9 | Parish Life |
| March 16 | NO CLASS |
| March 23 | LAST CLASS |
| March 30 | Chrism Mass at the Cathedral |
| April 3 | Easter Vigil (Saturday evening) |
For more information about Catholicism, see our Resource Page.
