What is RCIA?

RCIA stands for: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

RCIA is an adult Catholic program for education and spiritual preparation prior to entry into the Roman Catholic Church and community.

This includes Catechumens, Candidates and Inquirers. Catechumens are people who have never been baptized by any Christian Church. Candidates are individuals who have been baptized in any Christian church (including Roman Catholics) but have not been confirmed in the Catholic Church and Inquirers are those who want to know more about the Roman Catholic Church.

The RCIA program at Seven Holy Founders parish is led by a team who will help guide program participants through the faith journey. In addition, participants have individual sponsors to pray with and discuss topics throughout the program.

The program consists of four phases:

Inquiry
Initially, participants will learn the RCIA process and overview of the faith to discern whether this is the step they wish to take at this point in their lives.

Catechumenate (study)
Participants attend a number of classes and retreats to learn the fundamentals of the Roman Catholic Church and to develop a prayer life and foster conversion

Purification and Enlightenment
Participants focus on self-examination, repentance and prayer in preparation for their entry into the Church

Mystagogia
Following the rites of initiation at Easter, the participants are asked to define the next steps of their journey in faith.

RCIA is a special program structured around adult learning and conversion practices, which are quite different from what you experienced in school. The year focuses on:

• Your individual steps of conversion and commitment
• Building community with other individuals, the RCIA class, and parishioners
• Conveying knowledge about the teachings of the Church
• Small-group and large-group discussions to examine the personal implications of this knowledge
• Prayer and meditation in a number of forms
• Getting involved in giving to the community

What commitment am I expected to make?

RCIA is an intense process, and you can expect to put a significant amount of work into making it a conversion experience which will be one of the highlights of your entire life. The calendar generally runs from around September through the Easter Vigil. Each year's schedule depends on the specific date of Easter and working around other holidays.

On a weekly basis participants should expect to:

• Attend Mass
• Read the pre-work, do homework exercises, and come prepared to class
• Attend weekly RCIA meetings (on Thursdays, 7:00PM-8:30PM except for specific holidays
• Classes are held in the St. Joseph Room located on the 2nd. Floor of the Parish Center

In addition, you will be asked to:

• Participate in the Rite of Acceptance (see calendar)
• Participate in the Rite of Election (see calendar)
• Participate in the different Rites of Scrutiny (see calendar)
• Participate in 2 or 3 Saturday retreats (see calendar)
• Define and do a personal project of giving to the community
• Interact with a designated sponsor and prayer partner

Attendance at classes is important and will be tracked, because we find that it's important to attend almost all classes to have the full conversion experience.

What if I'm already baptized, confirmed, or a practicing Catholic?

People come to the RCIA program with a wide variety of backgrounds, including:

• Agnostics, Atheists, Christians, non-Christians, active or "fallen away" Catholics
• Having received various sacraments from Catholic or other Christian churches
• Married, divorced, single
• Ages 16-80 and beyond

The program is essentially the same for all participants - all resources are made available to everyone. The rites of Baptism, Confirmation and even marriage blessings will be customized to the individual's situation as appropriate.

If you have been married outside the Catholic Church and/or divorced, it would be good to discuss any special needs with the team coordinator or the parish priest. If you've been baptized, you will be asked for a copy of the certificate for the church's records. This time my friends is a time for you to address issues that are relevant to your life, your God, your family, and your community. We are just here to help you and make it easy for you and walk with you. For example if you are not married in the Catholic Church and have some impediments, we can assist you with that. Please do not worry to address these issues.

What if I'm not ready to make a commitment to the Church yet?

We don't expect that you can make a firm decision at the beginning of the year, whether you will be able to make a commitment of this magnitude. This is a deep, life-changing decision.

Instead, we invite you to come, participate, and learn. We will offer several times of discernment where you can focus on your personal stage of conversion, and if this isn't the right time for you, we totally respect your decision. All that we ask is that you be open and participate. If the time is right, it will become apparent to you.

It is not uncommon for people to go through the RCIA program more than once, or to switch parishes (especially due to moves), or to drop out of the program and then return later. We ask that if you wish to go through RCIA that you start at the beginning, as classes are structured to build on each other in a logical fashion.

How much does the program cost?

The class is generally free, however due to the expenses such as materials, the cost of the retreats, and other activities we ask participants for a free-will offering. Please remeber that this is not mandatory and money will not be an impediment to receive a sacrament.

What materials are used in the class?

The primary class materials, which will be provided are:

The New American Bible

This Bible is the one currently in use by the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. All the Mass readings come from this Bible.

Catechism of the Catholic Church for Adults

The Catechism explains the fundamental teachings and dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide. There are extensive cross-indexes and links to other Church materials including the Bible.

Evangelium: Sharing the Riches of the Catholic Faith

Other materials may be provided for each class, either as pre-reading or as general support. We are constantly seeking to improve the program and provide you the information you need.

How confidential are the discussions?

One of the top priorities of RCIA is to create a safe space in which to discuss sensitive topics. Over the course of the year, people share information and viewpoints which they may never have been able to express in other parts of their lives. We recognize that this is uncomfortable, but a necessary part of personal conversion.

We ask all participants - candidates, catechumens, sponsors, facilitators and team - to agree at the beginning of the year that:

• Discussions stay within the RCIA class
• We are each open, accepting, respectful and caring to each other

In addition, we create forums during the year where you can speak confidentially with your sponsor, prayer partner, team member, and priest. Each of these one-on-one conversations is treated with utmost respect and confidentiality.

Godparent / Sponsor Information

Godparents: In the cases of Catechumens and Candidates, Godparents or Sponsor are required.

They must meet the following criteria:

A catholic 16 years or older who is baptized, confirmed, received his/her first Communion, do not have any Church penalties; lives a Christian and Sacramental life; married in Catholic Church or single; if he or she is not from the parish, a letter recommendation approved by a priest from his or her parish. In case one cannot obtain a Godparent or sponsor, we will assign or help you find one. One must be willing to walk with the candidates throughout the process, which means attending all the classes.

Register for the 2010-2011 RCIA Session

There are several options that you can use to Register:

• Go to the main RCIA page and download and print application and sposor form
• Come by the parish office and pick-up the application and sposor form

Required Documents

Catechumen:
Birth Certificate/ Identification. If a minor less than 18 years old, permission from their parent (s)/ legal guardian (s)

Candidate:
Birth Certificate/ Certificate of Baptism/ Identification. If a minor less than 18 years old, permission from their parent (s)/ legal guardian (s)

Contact Information

Please contact the RCIA Coordinator, should you have any questions and or concerns about the program:

Bro. Arnaldo M. Sánchez, OSM
RCIA Program Coordinator
broarnaldo@foundersaffton.org
314-633-0123 Office
314-638-3938 Parish