St Teresa of Avila September 11, 2014

http://www.st-teresa.com/RCIA

Welcome !!!

The Road Ahead - Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, will I trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen

Why are you here?

Enter Roman Catholic Church

Confirmation

To learn more about Catholicism

Refresher

Why are you really here?

Why are you really here?

You were each called by God

and chose to answer

Relationship with God

God desires that we each be in an intimate relationship with Him

We are precious in His eyes He loves us just as we are

He has a unique and individual plan for each of us

Intimate Relationship with God

Accomplished by: Scripture Prayer Worship Love of our fellow man

RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA

Baptism

Confirmation

Holy Eucharist

RCIA

A process or journey

Not a program

or academic course

Spiritual Journey

RCIA is a spiritual journey of conversion as well as learning about

the Church

NOT a course in:

Theology

Church History

Bible Study

A spiritual journey under the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Scripture and Prayer

Period of Inquiry

This is the period before a firm decision or commitment has been made to join the Catholic Church.

This is the time to ask questions and check things out before a decision is made.

One cannot rush this decision. This is a journey that takes as long as it takes.

Period of the Catechumenate

Those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens.

The term catechumen finds its origin in the early Church. In this stage, you are developing your faith and are being "catechized”.

To Catechize is a form of religious instruction to learn the "catechism" which is the basic points about Catholic faith and life.

Period of Enlightenment and Purification

During this stage you will be known as the “Elect.”

This is a stage of more intense spiritual formation: A time for

prayer and spiritual discernment.

This stage coincides with the liturgical season of Lent.

Mystagogia

The Period of Mystagogia where we concentrate on the mysteries of the Church.

During this stage you will be referred to as neophytes but you will be in full communion with the Church having completed the three sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil

Each of these stages is separated by a liturgical rite:

• Rite of Acceptance and Welcome

• Rite of Election

• Rites of Initiation

Initiation

A Beginning

Joining a Community

RCIA SCHEDULE 2013-2014

• 9/11/14 RCIA Introduction

• 9/18/14 Sharing our Faith Journey

• 9/25/14 Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture

• 10/2/14 The Creeds

• 10/9/14 The Mass

• 10/16/14 Jesus

• 10/23/14 Mary

• 10/30/14 Communion of Saints

• 11/6/14 Liturgical Year

• 11/13/14 Great Commandment

• 11/20/14 Sin and Grace

• 11/27/14 RCIA OFF - Thanksgiving

• 12/4/14 Preview Rite of Acceptance / Welcome

• 12/11/14 TBA

• 12/18/14 Pot Luck Dinner

• 1/8/15 Church Tour

• 1/15/15 Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation

• 1/22/15 The Holy Eucharist

• 1/29/15 Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of Sick

• 2/5/15 Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony

• 2/12/15 Presentation on the Season of Lent

• 2/19/15 Preview the Rite of Election

• 2/26/15 Catholic Morality

• 3/5/15 Parish Lenten Mission – RCIA OFF

• 3/12/15 Catholic Social Teachings

• 3/19/15 Presentation on the Holy Triduum

• 3/26/15 Preview of the Easter Vigil Mass

• 3/28/15 RCIA Retreat

• 4/2/15 Holy Thursday

• 4/3/15 Good Friday

• 4/4/15 Easter Vigil Mass

• 4/5/15 EASTER

• 4/9/15 RCIA OFF – Master’s Week

• 4/16/15 Celebration

• 4/23/15 Spirituality

• 4/30/15 Dogma and Devotions

Important Dates

12/6/14 Rite of Acceptance and Welcome 2/18/15 Ash Wednesday 2/22/15 Rite of Election (Cathedral in Savannah) 3/7/15 First Scrutiny 3/14/15 Second Scrutiny 3/21/14 Third Scrutiny 3/28/15 RCIA Retreat 4/4/15 Easter Vigil Mass

Task List

For inquirers who have been baptized, I will need a copy of your baptismal certificate

Complete interview sheet: Print legibly. Include your email address and phone number.

Refreshment sign up sheet

Assignment of sponsors

Inquirers… if you or your spouse have been previously married or divorced please meet with me!!!

Baptismal Certificate

Interviews

This applies only to Inquirers or Candidates, NOT Sponsors or Refreshers

Refreshments

See Terri Bair who will have a sign us list

Sponsor

A sponsor is a companion or friend to accompany you on your RCIA journey

The role of Sponsor is a very serious commitment

Marriage and Divorce

Marriage is considered a Sacrament in the Catholic Church

To enter the Catholic Church requires an individual to obey the rules

and laws of the Church

Therefore any inquirer or candidate who has been previously married/divorced

or their spouse has been previously married/divorced needs to see me ASAP

Please check out our website

www.st-teresa.com/RCIA

Additional resources

New American Bible

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

www.usccb.org (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)

www.vatican.va (Vatican)

www.catholic.org (Catholic online)

I pads; I phones: iMissal; iBreviary; Catholic NAB

RCIA Team

Terri Bair

Bill Trammell

Bob Prange

Deacon Kerry Diver