Sunday
Jan102010
The RCIA
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 9:49AM
Most Catholics know what the four letters “RCIA”mean in the life of the Church. “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.” Some Catholics not only know what the letters stand for, but they know that the RCIA is the process by which people are welcomed into membership in the Catholic Church.
The RCIA is the Church’s pathway for interested people to learn what it means to be a Catholic.
As in the past, this year’s RCIA program began at the end of September. It will be completed at the Easter Vigil on April 3, when the Church’s greatest celebration takes place in parishes throughout the world.
Every member of our parish is involved in the RCIA process. In the days ahead, especially in the Season of Lent, we will pray over these candidates and the whole congregation will be asked to pray with the candidates. Sponsors will assist these candidates as they follow the program.
A significant part of their preparation to become Catholics involves learning the church’s teachings. On Monday evenings the candidates and their sponsors, as well as the church’s General Sponsors gather to review and study the teachings of the Catholic Church. The sessions are usually very lively and they open up the participants to ask questions that can open new understanding. At each class there is usually one main topic that is discussed. The participants use the book: United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. It could be useful for any one of us. Sister Ellen directs this whole process for our parish.
I write these words as we begin a new calendar year. I ask that we all help those who are preparing to enter the Church. We have an opportunity in the next several months to pray for these candidates and also to be one with them in reflecting on the aspects of the Church that are being discussed in the Monday Evening sessions.
This week, for example the candidates will be studying the Sacred Mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Pray for them and reflect with them on this profoundly important Sacrament in which Jesus gives himself to us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist will be food for those who enter the Church for all their lives long. It will be their Bread of Life.
We are all part of this RCIA process that welcomes new members into the Church. Pray for them and help them along the way.
The RCIA is the Church’s pathway for interested people to learn what it means to be a Catholic.
As in the past, this year’s RCIA program began at the end of September. It will be completed at the Easter Vigil on April 3, when the Church’s greatest celebration takes place in parishes throughout the world.
Every member of our parish is involved in the RCIA process. In the days ahead, especially in the Season of Lent, we will pray over these candidates and the whole congregation will be asked to pray with the candidates. Sponsors will assist these candidates as they follow the program.
A significant part of their preparation to become Catholics involves learning the church’s teachings. On Monday evenings the candidates and their sponsors, as well as the church’s General Sponsors gather to review and study the teachings of the Catholic Church. The sessions are usually very lively and they open up the participants to ask questions that can open new understanding. At each class there is usually one main topic that is discussed. The participants use the book: United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. It could be useful for any one of us. Sister Ellen directs this whole process for our parish.
I write these words as we begin a new calendar year. I ask that we all help those who are preparing to enter the Church. We have an opportunity in the next several months to pray for these candidates and also to be one with them in reflecting on the aspects of the Church that are being discussed in the Monday Evening sessions.
This week, for example the candidates will be studying the Sacred Mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Pray for them and reflect with them on this profoundly important Sacrament in which Jesus gives himself to us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist will be food for those who enter the Church for all their lives long. It will be their Bread of Life.
We are all part of this RCIA process that welcomes new members into the Church. Pray for them and help them along the way.
tagged Baptism of the Lord, RCIA in Bulletin
Baptism of the Lord, RCIA in Bulletin 
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