Interested in Becoming a Catholic?
Spiritual Nourishment.
Community.
The Word of God.
Service.
These are the answers. Do you have the questions?
If you have found yourself asking questions for which you have no answers, consider joining others like you on a journey of faith called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This provides a brief introduction.
What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)?
The RCIA is the process by which adults join the Catholic Church. It uses Scripture, the tradition of the Catholic Church, prayer and service to help a person reflect on his or her
own journey of faith.
It is designed to allow a person to explore membership in the Catholic community, and in our case, the local Church of St. Gertrude.
Who is this process for?
This process is for the unbaptized who wish to become Catholic, for those baptized in another faith who wish to become Catholic, and for those baptized as infants in the Catholic Church who never received any formal religious education in the Catholic Church.
How is the RCIA structured?
The RCIA has four periods: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Lenten Preparation, and Post? Easter Teaching.
Inquiry: is a time of initial exploration. We focus on our individual faith journeys, reflecting on the God who calls us and the story that is expressed in Scripture and in our lives. Questions can be raised, and you discern whether or not you are interested in pursuing a deeper study of Catholicism.
Catechumenate: comes from a Greek word meaning “to echo” or “hand on.” The sacred Scriptures and the teachings of the church form the basis of this period. It begins during Advent (the four weeks before Christmas) with a Rite of Welcoming. Unbaptized participants are called catechumens, and those already baptized
are called candidates.
Lenten Preparation (six weeks before Easter): focuses on prayer and reflection on what it means to experience the “new life” promised by Jesus Christ. The period begins with the Rite of Election at Holy Name Cathedral, and concludes with the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), and Reception into full communion of those already baptized.
Post-Easter Teaching: reflects upon what it means to live out our baptismal
commitment with the Catholic Christian community. We emphasize the unique gifts
each of us is given and how they can be shared for the good of the community.
What is expected of a participant?
Regular Attendance: is an essential part of the RCIA process. Sessions are held every Sunday from 10 to 11:30 am and every other Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 pm, except during Lent, when we meet every Wednesday.
Prayer/Preparation: Sessions include sharing and reflection on the Sunday scripture, prayer, and on Wednesdays, a teaching. Participants are strongly encouraged to read the Sunday scriptures and any assigned material prior to each meeting.
Regular sessions with a sponsor: A sponsor acts as a friend, a guide, a “touchstone” within the community, providing support, prayers, and information, while modeling what it means to live a committed Christian life. You may choose a sponsor, or the RCIA team will provide one for you.
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