RCIA

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS:                                                       
Adult Baptism: For adults today, the Church, after the Second Vatican Council, has restored the order of the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  It outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community.  This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher. 

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español

Anyone interested in becoming Catholic (inquirers) and their sponsors (practicing Catholics that accompany inquirers on the journey) from the Holy Spirit Parish meet together to explore the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Weekly sessions are held in the lower level Marian Room at the St. Mary Site (use the ramp on 124 North Beaver Street, New Castle) from 7:00pm-8:30pm on Thursday nights from September until after Easter.

If you know of someone who may be interested in learning more about becoming Catholic or has questions about RCIA, please contact Cathy Frank, 724.654.9371 x 1 or cfrank@hsplc.org

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Topic: Rites of Welcome & Acceptance by Cathy Frank

The rites that are called the Rite of Acceptance and the Rite of Welcome are of the utmost importance. At this point in the RCIA journey the inquirers have completed the first stage called the precatechumenate (pre-cat-e-chu-men-ate). The precatechumenate was 12 weeks of inquiry. During these first 12 sessions, the RCIA team introduced our Catholic faith and parish community. During the precatechumenate period our friends in RCIA are referred to inquirers.

Once we return from Christmas break, we will enter 2023 in a new period of learning called the catechumenate (cat-e-chu-men-ate). In the catechumenate period the team will take our friends deeper into our faith life as Catholics and their conversion will continue through prayer, catechesis, and fellowship. The parish will also celebrate the Rite of Acceptance and the Rite of Welcome on January 15^th.

How do we know if an inquirer is ready for the Rite of Acceptance or Rite of Welcome? There are seven (7) outward indictors that tell us that they are ready. Those indicators are:

1. An initial faith in God;
2. A desire for relationship with God;
3. An initial conversion and intention to change one’s life;
4. Evidence of the first stirrings of repentance;
5. The practice of calling on God in prayer;
6. A sense of Church;
7. Experiences of the company and spirit of Christian community by way of contact with the parish priest(s) and members of the parish community.

Some folks enter the RCIA journey with many of the above indicators already present and others develop them along the way. The RCIA journey is unique to each person.

The titles of our friends in RCIA change as they journey along to full initiation in the Catholic Church. The Rites of Acceptance and Welcome realize the first change in title from inquirer to catechumen or candidate.

What is the difference between a catechumen and a candidate? The difference is whether they were baptized or not on their previous faith journey. The Rite of Acceptance is for the unbaptized who will now be called the catechumen and the Rite of Welcome is for the baptized who will now be called candidates.

The parish has a role to play in the RCIA journey via the Rites, Presentations and Scrutinies. You are asked to welcome our friends in RCIA into parish life and journey alongside them. You are asked to celebrate all the milestones between now and the Easter Vigil as well as support them in their neophyte year. To begin please mark your calendar for Sunday, January 15^th for the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Vitus where the Rites of Acceptance and Welcome will be celebrated.