The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, commonly known as RCIA, is a process by which the Catholic Christian community welcomes and initiates new members. The process has evolved to meet the needs of the unbaptized, as well as the baptized, and the uncatechized, as well as the catechized. RCIA addresses the life experiences and spiritual needs of the individual. It is important to recognized and respect the faith experience of each individual.
RCIA involves different stages and liturgical rites in which the catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized) join the rest of the faith community in an ongoing conversion as part of the life long process and commitment to a Christian way of life; an initial step in the “lifelong journey of intellectual, emotional and spiritual conversion.”
All session are open to anyone. If you would like a "refresher" on a topic, the sessions are not dependent on the others so come to one, two, all or as many as you like.
RCIA 2023-2024 Weekly Schedule- Tuesdays 7-8:30
INQUIRY
Week 1 (Oct 3) Introductions: Explanation of RCIA Process; Questions: Sponsors
The Search: What Do You Seek?
Week 2 (Oct 10) The Search: Who Are You?
Week 3 (Oct 17) The Search: What is Our Story?
Week 4 (Oct 24) The Search: Who is Jesus?
Week 5 (Oct 31) The Search: Am I Saved? Church Space/Church Etiquette
Explanation All Saints Nov 1 and All Souls Nov 2
CATECHUMENATE
Week 6 (Nov 7) The Journey of Faith: Trinity, Faith and God (Symbolon #1)
Week 7 (Nov 14) The Catholic Church: One Holy Catholic Apostolic (Symbolon #8)
Week 8 (Nov 21) Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Deposit of Faith, Magisterium (Symbolon #2) [There is a Symbolon on The Bible as well (Symbolon #3)]
Week 9 (Nov 28) Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation; The Holy Spirit; Sign of Cross; Confirmation name (Symbolon # Pt 2 #1) Symbolon #7)
Week 10 (Dec 5 - Advent) Catholic Moral Vision: What is Sin? Commandments; Precepts; Exam of Conscience (Symbolon Pt 2 #6)
Week 11 (Dec 12 - Advent) Catholic Practices during Advent; Forgiveness & Mercy
Week 12 (Dec 19 – Advent) The Sacrament of Reconciliation; Rite of Confession: Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (Symbolon #Pt 2 #4)
No Class Dec 26 and Jan 2
Week 13 (Jan 9) The Sacrament of Eucharist ( Symbolon Pt 2 #2)
Week 14 (Jan 16) The Mass (MW) (Symbolon Pt 2 #3)
Week 15 (Jan 23) Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders
Week 16 (Jan 30) The Beatitudes and Call to Holiness (Symbolon Pt2 #6)
Week 17 (Feb 6) Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
Week 18 (Feb 13 – Lent) Catholic Practices during Lent; Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving
Week 19 (Feb 20 – Lent) Relationship with Trinity through Prayer – types
Week 20 (Feb 27 – Lent) Mary and The Communion of Saints ; Purgatory, Indulgences (Symbolon #9)
Week 21 (March 5 – Lent) Marian Devotion and The Rosary
Week 22 (March 12) The Paschal Mystery; Explanation of Triduum
Week 23 (March 19) The Four Last Things ; The Second Coming Parousia (Symbolon #10)
Week 24 (March 26) Holy Week; Practice for Easter Vigil; Sacrament of Reconciliation for candidates
TRIDUUM March 28-30 Holy Thursday, Good Friday Holy Saturday
MARCH 31 EASTER VIGIL – ~ 8:30 pm
No Class April 2
MYSTOGOGY
Week 25 (April 9) The Cardinal Virtues and Theological Virtues
Week 26 (April 16) A Love that Lasts (Pt 2 Symbolon # 7)
Week 27 (April 23) Catholic Social Teaching Symbolon Pt 2 #9, 10)
Week 28 (April 30) Mission: Church and Community