Adult Faith Formation

You are a disciple! What is a disciple?

“We need a Church unafraid of going forth into their night. We need a Church capable of meeting them on their way. We need a Church capable of entering into their conversation.”-Pope Francis

A disciple is a follower, literally a student, of Jesus Christ. It is someone who has been drawn to Christ’s life and mission—his love—and seeks to bind him or herself to the very mystery of that love.

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

RCIA Program

RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

RCIA is a Journey

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

• Pre-Catechumenate
  This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens (those seeking Baptism) and Candidates (Those who are already baptzied and seeking full Communion with the Catholic Church) acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
  

• Catechumenate
  The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
  

• Rite of Election
  Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.

• Sacraments of Initiation
  At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the RCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
  

• Mystagogy
  This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
  

RCIA Team

People journeying through the RCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The RCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Click here to get their GREAT videos via their YouTube channel!!!!

One of their presenters is Fr. Mike Schmitz....here are two of his videos.

Each Short Course includes:

• Three to four hours of high-quality video instruction

• Detailed companion presentation slides

• Reading assignments that are modest in length but generous in depth and beauty

• Quizzes

• Related resources: books, video, audio and more

• At the conclusion of the nine-course curriculum, a certificate in Core Theology, suitable for framing