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"Those
who have come into genuine contact with Christ
cannot keep him for themselves,
they must proclaim him."
Pope
John Paul II. Message for
World
Mission Sunday, 2001
The
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, better known as RCIA, is another
ministry that traces its format to the time of the apostles. Renewed
attention was placed on this ministry at the time of Vatican II.
Presently,
there are five individuals helping to teach in our RCIA Ministry.
The instructional program used is entitled New Visions.
Catechumen is the designation for individuals desiring the instruction,
and training is accomplished in four stages:
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The
first stage of instruction is called Inquiry/ Evangelization.
This is the period of information and questions. |
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The
next stage of instruction is Catechumenate, which aims to bring
the catechumen's faith to maturity through the person's comprehension
of church teachings. |
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Stage
three is the Period of Enlightenment, when the catechumen's
understanding of the Catholic faith reaches perfection. |
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The
last stage, known as Mystagogia, takes the catechumen to the
level where the mysteries of Christ and our faith are studied. |
Each
catechumen must have a sponsor and that sponsor is asked to attend classes
also. This encourages discussions that can help lead to better
understanding by the catechumen, and it also enables both catechumen and
the sponsor to have spiritual dialogues between classes.
RCIA
courses do not have a specific time frame. Each catechumen
progresses at his or her own pace, moving to the next stage upon
completion of the previous one. Classes begin shortly after the
first contact is made and no specific number of people is needed for a
class to begin. The culmination of study is when the catechumen is
received into the Church, usually at the Easter Vigil Mass, when he or she
receives the Sacraments of Initiation -- baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.
To
share in this stewardship of time and talent, you can help people who are
interested in learning about our faith by encouraging them to contact the
Director of Religious Education, Marianne Kane, at (610) 444-2214.
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