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 Fr. Brendan Dawson, 724-652-3422 x 2202, or bdawson@hsplc.org.

On these last three Sundays of Lent, ihe RCIA ELECT (The individuals preparing to enter the Catholic Church who have not yet been baptized) are engaged in rites & prayers called Scrutinies and Exorcisms. The purpose of the scrutinies is to uncover and heal all that is weak in the Elect and to strengthen all that is good. The exorcisms are not what we have seen on television. These are  celebrated in order to deliver the Elect from the power of sin and Satan, protect them against temptation, and give them strength in Christ. The scrutinies and exorcisms are not about the sinfulness of the Elect but about the overwhelm-ing grace of God in Christ, and the grace-filled encounters with the healing power of the Spirit. Each scrutiny uses different symbols to connect the Elect to the Spirituality of Christ.
 
The First Scrutiny used the symbol of living water (Jesus) who quenches our thirst (this symbol came to us in the Gospel reading of the Samaritan Woman at the well.) As they received the living water, Jesus' word, the scrutiny  acknowledged the power of grace over sin, which was evident for the woman at the well. All who thirst can draw from the gift of God.

The Second Scrutiny uses the symbol of light for our blindness, (this will build from the Gospel reading of the man born blind.) It focuses on spiritual growth and it asks God to open the eyes and the  hearts of the Elect as well as our own eyes and hearts, so that we may come to know him better.

The Third Scrutiny will be celebrated in St. Vitus Church at the 4:00 pm Mass. Please keep our Elect in your thoughts and prayers as they contemplate all that they have encountered during these last weeks of Lent, in preparation for the Easter Vigil.              —Michele Lagnese, RCIA Team