Rite of
Christian
Initiation of
Adults
An invitation is extended
to…
* Those who are unbaptized
* Those baptized in the Catholic
Church who have not received the
sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation
* Those baptized in another Christian
Church who are interested in learning
more about the Catholic Church
...Our Mother of Good
Counsel parish community invites you to meet with members of the RCIA
team who welcome your interest and
questions regarding the Catholic Church
and our parish community.
Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Becoming
a Catholic
There
are many reasons for wanting to learn more about the Catholic Church.
The good news is that the Catholic Church in Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish
(OMGC) has an excellent program for you. It is called the RCIA.
What is the RCIA
all about?
RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a program
run by adult members of the parish. RCIA requires a modest commitment in
time but we think you will find the process a lot easier than you might
expect. In addition, we have found that everyone who becomes involved,
young or old, highly religious or moderately so, finds it to be a wonderful
experience.
We
share a reflection from one of last year's participants:
"The
RCIA process provided me with a perfect introduction to a new church. I’ve
gone from knowing no one in this faith community about a year ago to being
welcomed with smiles and some familiar faces. The process of following Sunday
Mass by our prayer and reflection on the Gospel message was inspiring. Learning
about the Catholic Church in an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and community
was evangelization in the true sense of sharing the Good News of Jesus.
Having laity and religious sharing viewpoints and life journeys together was an
important part of the process for me - and
probably for all of us. I felt free to share my faith story and to ask questions
in the group. I really appreciate all the time and energy that so many people
spent teaching and welcoming us into the Church!"
Peggy
The
R.C.I.A. Process
How do I join and what does RCIA involve?
Signing up is easy. Just call Sr. Anne, coordinator of
the RCIA process, at 610-525-0147 ext. 234 or send an e-mail. She will set up a date to meet with you
to discuss your desire to take a closer look at the Catholic faith community.
The RCIA process initially consists of seven weekly meetings in the
evening with the RCIA team in what are called Inquiry Sessions. As you continue
into the second phase of the process, participants gather for a sharing of the
weekly scripture readings after the 9:30 Sunday mass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I be a baptizes Christian to join?
No.
If you have not been baptized, that sacrament will he part of your RCIA process.
Do I have to memorize a lot prayers and creeds?
No. After you are
received into the Church your regular attendance will allow you to gradually
learn the words of the liturgy and prayers.
How much preparation must I do for each session?
For each session
(Inquiry or Scripture), there will be a planned topic of discussion. You will be
given a three or four page article to read for the next week. This normally
takes 5 to 30 minutes.
What happens at each Inquiry Session?
There will be a few members
of the RCIA team along with current RCIA participants like you. Discussion is
initially focused on the planned topic but the conversation is usually far
ranging. Participants are encouraged to ask questions. At some sessions, you
will be shown a video on the planned topic.
Are there only certain times when l can join RCIA?
No. Although
there is a the basic cycle which is announced in the OMGC bulletin, new
participants are accepted throughout the year and at any time.
Before I decide to join, can I talk to someone who has already gone through
the process?
Yes. Any member of the RCIA team will be glad to answer
your questions or put you in contact with former participants. Feel free to call
Sr. Anne Woodeshick at 610-525-0147 ext. 234 or
send an e-mail.
