Invite Someone to Join our Catholic Faith
Most of us know someone who is not Catholic and who may be interested in learning about our faith and possibly joining our church community. Many times, a person is shy about coming forward and saying that they are interested and they are waiting to be asked. Please think about people in your life who might be waiting for such an invitation.
In a few weeks, our RCIA process for this year will begin. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This process for preparing adults to be received into the Catholic Church was developed in the 1970’s, following the Second Vatican Council, as a modern revival of the way that early Christians were initiated.
RCIA is designed for any of the following:
Ø Adults who have never been baptized in any Christian Church
Ø Christians of any denomination who would like to become Catholic
Ø Catholics who may have been baptized or received First Communion but who never had much religious training or who never received Confirmation
The process begins with a period called Inquiry, during which those who are interested gather to receive basic information and to ask questions about Catholic faith and practices. During Inquiry, the participants have not made any commitment to join the Catholic Church. Our Inquiry sessions run from the middle of September through the end of October.
After Inquiry, those who desire to become members of our faith community are recognized and prayed over in a special ceremony called the Rite of Acceptance. They then continue with a process of prayer and learning called the Catechumenate, which leads to being received into the Church at Easter. During this period, they participate in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass and then they are dismissed to continue reflecting upon the Scripture readings for that Sunday. This also builds up anticipation for receiving the Eucharist when they are received into the Church.
Beginning with the Rite of Acceptance, we make a distinction between those who were never baptized, who are called Catechumens, and those who were baptized in another Christian Church, who are called Candidates for Full Communion. This distinction acknowledges that we honor Christian Baptism in any church that uses the Trinitarian formula. We do not re-baptize people. Both Catechumens and Candidates have Catholic sponsors who accompany them through the rest of the process.
While there is a team of people who teach the RCIA classes, the whole parish community is involved in their preparation by their example, by praying for the candidates and by welcoming them into the community.
The final period of preparation takes place during Lent and begins with the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent. This rite involves people from all of the parishes of the diocese going to the Cathedral and being blessed by the bishop in preparation for receiving the sacraments at Easter.
After receiving the appropriate sacraments at the Easter Vigil: Baptism and/or Confirmation and Eucharist, the participants have one final period of the RCIA process, called Mystagogia. This involves continuing to meet and reflect upon the mysteries of our faith and how to take their place as full members of the Catholic Church.
We will start a new Inquiry group in mid-September. Who is the person out there waiting for your invitation? Go ahead and ask! If you don’t feel comfortable describing the RCIA process, just contact me or give me the person’s contact information and I’ll take it from there.
If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Sr. Mary Therese at the parish office: 410-329-6826, x109 or mwhite@ourladygrace.org. Our sessions will meet on Tuesday evenings and spouses or other family members or friends are welcome to come along with the Inquirers and join in our discussions.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Therese
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