Faith Formation and Education
R.C.I.A.: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA is a process through which the Catholic Community reaches out to adults who may be interested in becoming full members of the Church as well as to Catholics who have not yet celebrated Eucharist and/or Confirmation. We will gather together- to pray
- to answer questions about Catholic faith and practice
- to get acquainted with other inquirers
- to read scripture and share our faith experiences
Regular meetings will be held each Sunday during the academic year from 5:00 to 6:45 pm. Sessions will begin in September. Check this site for the schedule. The regular sessions will be based on reading and reaction to the scripture readings of the Sunday supplemented by an examination of the fundamentals of the Catholic faith, especially the Creed.The RCIA process is not a matter of argumentation or proselytization. It is a means for each individual to explore his/her relation to God and to discern what God wishes her or him to do. While there is intellectual content to be examined, the process is primarily experiential. Anyone who is interested in exploring full participation in the life of the Church is welcome to attend.The process is facilitated by Deacon Richard and Joanne Talbot, who act as coordinators. They will be joined from time to time by members of the Newman Center pastoral team and by other members of the Newman Community. Sessions will begin on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 5:00 pm in the Quigley Room of the Newman Center. Schedule for the spring semester- January 27 - Mystical Body of Christ - the Church
- February 3 - Christian Morality
- February 10 Session - topic to be announced
- February 17 - Holiday - no session.
- February 24 - 1st scrutiny at the 7 pm mass
- March 2 - Creed followed by the 2nd scrutiny
- March 9 - The Mass followed by the 3d scrutiny
- March 16 - No session Spring Break
- March 23 - Easter - no session
- March 30 - Redemption and Resurrection
- April 6 - Leading a Christian life
- April 12 - Retreat at Newman from 9 am to 3 pm
- April 13 - No session
- April 20 - Baptism and Confirmation
- April 27 - The other sacraments
- May 4 - Session at 6 pm Sacraments conferred at 7 pm mass
Prior to the 7 pm mass at which the sacraments will be conferred there will be a session for practice, etc. We will continue to follow a two track process. One focuses on the scripture of that Sunday, the other on the articles of the creed. The scripture gives us the framework of Jesus' life and teaching. The creed is an expression of faith. During most of the fall, the focus is on the coming of Jesus at Christmas. The process in not intended to be principally didactic. It is principally experiential and communal. Religion is primarily a matter of encounter with a personal and loving God. So we try to understand how we experience God, what he asks of us, and how we should respond. In each session we'll read and talk about the scripture readings of the day and then discuss a particular topic, usually from the creed.Rites. Rites for RCIA are simple ceremonies which are held at mass.
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