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Saint
Robert's Catholic
Church
RITE
of CHRISTIAN INITIATION of
ADULTS
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Oct.
14,
2021
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Mary
Hile-Nepfel
Tel: (650) 589-2800 - FAX:
(650) 588-9628
The R.C.I.A. is:
- a time of spiritual
growth and conversion.
- a time of renewal for
the whole parish.
- a process of
conversion for those who are becoming Catholics AND for
those who already are.
How does one become a Roman
Catholic?
Some Catholics
experienced the process of becoming a Catholic in a very
gradual way: baptized as infants, they grew up in Catholic
homes, received a religious education and gradually came to
share in the sacramental life of the church. But other
Catholics came to the church as adults, sometimes already
baptized, sometimes having already received a religious
formation in one tradition or another. They may have been
contacted by a Catholic, but more likely they made the first
move by talking to a priest or someone else about the
church.
The Church wants to
welcome all adults who are interested in the Roman Catholic
faith. For those who think they might wish to become
Catholic, the Church has the "catechumenate" which is a
formal title for the whole process of preparing adults for
initiation into the Church.
What is the
Catechumenate?
The purpose of the
catechumenate is to foster or to deepen one's relationship
with Christ and to assist the new Catholic in becoming an
active participating member of the Church. It is the
structure that involves the teaching and discussion of the
good news, prayer and spiritual growth. It encourages direct
contact with members of the local parish community who will
share their faith and values with the
candidates.
The catechumenate also
includes various rites that are celebrated along the way to
full church membership. These rites reflect the spiritual
growth of the candidates and visibly express the community's
support for them. Each parish develops its own design for
the catechumenate which includes the following
stages:
I. Period of Evangelization
& Inquiry
During this time the
basic gospel message is proclaimed and inquirers are able to
reflect upon their own lives in the light of the message of
Christianity. It is also a time for questions, finding out
more about the church and the value of faith and its
prayerful way of life.
II.
Catechumenate
Those who profess their
faith in Christ Jesus and sincerely desire to enter the
church, then move to this next phase during which most of
the catechesis takes place. With the help of a sponsor and
members of the community, the candidate learns of the church
as a community of the faithful; their spirit, their work,
their mission. Catechumens also learn of the church as
human, sinful, ever seeking the Lord.
III. Purification &
Enlightenment
At the beginning of Lent,
the church calls those who are ready to renew their personal
commitment to Christ and enter into final preparations for
the reception of the sacraments of initiation at the Easter
Vigil. This calling takes place formally in the Rite of
Election. During Lent the community joins the candidates:
the task is to strengthen all that is good and guard against
that which is harmful.
IV. Sacraments of
Initiation
Ordinarily the sacraments
of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated at the
Easter Vigil Liturgy. Christians already baptized are
formally received into full communion with the Roman
Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation
and Eucharist.
V. Mystagogia
A period of fifty days
from Easter to Pentecost is a special time for the newly
received to continue their intellectual and spiritual growth
and take an active part in the life of the parish community.
This is a time for unfolding the meaning of the Easter
Sacraments and to realize this is a life long
process.
WHO IS THE CATECHUMENATE
FOR?
It is for all adults who
wish to join the Roman Catholic Church. Certain parts of the
Catechumenate are open to those interested in the church but
not ready to make a commitment.
HOW CAN I HELP?
- by giving of your
time and yourself to walk the journey as a
sponsor.
- by reaching out to
those making the journey and for the parish community's
own renewal of faith and conversion.
WHEN / WHERE?
Arrangements should be
made by contacting the Parish Office (650)
589-2800
INTERESTED?
Contact: Mary Hile-Nepfel
- (650) 589-2800
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