What is RCIA?

RCIA means Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and is rooted in the very early years of Christianity. In the early church, small communities of Christians took interested, inquiring individuals (Catechumens) into their company and introduced them to their belief in Jesus, His teachings and their way of life.

About 150-200 A.D., initiation began to take formal shape and requirements--thus the beginnings of a "Catechumenate" as we know it.

The 3rd and 4th centuries brought about the most developed structure--a process that took at least three years. However, by the 5th century, disintegration of the process occurred and continued until, by the 12th century, the Catechumenate no longer existed.

There were attempts to reestablish the Catechumenate in the 16th century, but it was not until the 20th century that there was a strong revival in Africa and France. Vatican II called for reinstating the Catechumenate. By 1988, U.S. Bishops made implementation mandatory in the United States.

That is a brief history of the RCIA, and as in the early church, RCIA is the process by which those desiring acceptance into the Christian community are prepared for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. RCIA is the faith journey of the Catechumens.

However, RCIA is more than the process by which those desiring to be baptized and/or complete their Christian initiation with the reception of the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. It is also a faith journey in which each church member reexamines his own relationship with God. Each of us, as a member of the faith community, has a responsibility to help welcome and support new Catholics. What we do to make them feel welcome can have a tremendous impact on the growth of their faith. The rite is intended to revive the missionary spirit of all members of our faith community.

We, as church, are involved in each of the various periods of the candidates' journey in the RCLA process. We answer their questions, give our support, publicly recognize their progress and finally approve oftheir acceptance into the church.

We are grateful for all those members of St. James who have actively participated in RCIA as sponsors, godparents and catechists. In the past you have tinselfishly come forward and committed yourself to our newcomers and we sincerely thank you. We also thank and appreciate all those unknown parishioners who have supported our newcomers with their prayers and words of encouragement. We entreat each member to consider how you, too, can help to furfill Jesus' commandment to "Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation."

The benefits of the RCIA are special and lifelong. RCIA can help to: Build Community by establishing a bond between newcomers and the faith community; Renew the Commitment of church members to live out their baptismal mission; Increase Understanding of the teachings of the Gospel and the Church; Inspire Reflection of the mystery of Christ's sacrifice for the salvation of the faithful; and Deepen Responsibility of the church members to spread their faith as Jesus commanded.

RCIA - a way for all of us to welcome new Catholics into a church that is alive in Jesus Christ.

For Whom?

The RCIA process is expressly designed to help persons in one of the following groups:

1. Unbaptized adults who want to learn about Christianity.

2. Baptized Catholics who want to prepare for Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

3. Baptized non-Catholics who want to learn more about Catholic Christianity and tradition.

Briefly, RCIA is the process of learning and living the Good News of Jesus and studying His teachings as revealed by the Scriptures. The program also explores Catholic tradition and teachings. It has as its goal that each candidate may come to enjoy a fuller and richer understanding of God and mankind's relationship to God and community.

The Journey

The RCIA class is small and informal. It meets weekly, on Thursday evenings, for one and a half hours. The members of the class meet with a team of dedicated parishioners and clergy who serve as facilitators, sponsors and catechists. They also gather together at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word.

The journey starts in September at an unhurried pace, getting acquainted with each other and the Scriptures, in the Period of Inquiry; through the "teachings" phase of the Period of the Catechumenate; to the preparation of mind and spirit in the Period of Enlightenment; and to the journey's climactic reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Finall, the time between Easter and Pentecost, in the Period of Mystagogy or Mysteries, the newly received begin to understand and experience the mysteries of faith. The entire community is participates in this final stage of adult initiation by their example and gathering for Eucharist.

The community of St. James is aware and supports each RCIA group. It expresses its interest by celebrating with the candidates the various stages and rites in their journey.

There is no fee for the program and those living within or outside the St. James parish are welcome.

Questions?

Q. "If I'm not a Catholic, must I join the Church after the RCIA program?"

A. Not at all. We are happy to share a knowledge of Jesus as God, Savior, and Friend as well as our Catholic tradition.

Joining or not joining the Church is a totally personal decision.

Q. "If I start and later feel I am not ready to commit further, may I leave without ill-feeling?"

A. Yes, there is no pressure for anyone to continue. However, should anyone later feel ready to resume, he/she would be welcomed.

For more information or to register for the class, please call or e-mail:

Blue Registration forms may be found by the church doors. They may be placed in the collection basket or dropped off at the Rectory. Click here for this year's schedule.