Welcome
to the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Can you answer "Yes" to any of these questions:
* Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church?
* Are you unbaptized but recognize a need for spirituality in your life?
* Are you baptized Catholic or baptized into another religion but never received any formal religious education?
* Are you married to a Catholic and attend Mass but just don't know what the next step is to become one of the Catholic faithful?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the place for you. Every year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process of discerning and ritualizing stages of gradual conversion. Initiation of adults belongs to all the baptized. The process is about a relationship over time with both God and the Catholic community. It is the Church's method of a faith journey of conversion.
The process has no time frame. Conversion occurs on God's time; not our time. The RCIA conversion process consists of four periods. The amount of time spent in each phase is dependent on individual needs and feelings.
* The Period of The Catechumenate A Brief History * The Period of Purification and Enlightenment * Mystagogy
At the end of each period, a rite is celebrated to signify the continuation of the process until the sacraments of initiation are celebrated. The rites are:
* The Rite of Acceptance (into the Order of the Catechumens) * The Rite of Election * Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
Sessions are held in the Parish Center on Sunday mornings from 11:45 am to 1 pm. The first session is on September 23rd.
For more information call Dr. Ernie Sherretta at 610 525 4801 ext. 204 or email at stvrel.ed@verizon.net