Nativity Catholic Church

     A Welcoming Parish in Southeast Evansville

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA

The rite grew out of the need to help people to prepare for church membership. During the 1st. - 5th. centuries, people shared the Good News and brought others into faith communities. In the 6th. - 15th. centuries there was a decline in converts, and the growing practice of infant baptism. From the 16th. - 20th. centuries, missionaries around the world were able to restore these preparations. Today the missionary spirit is alive again, and the new RCIA gives Catholics valuable guidelines for welcoming newcomers into the Church.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE RCIA

The main purpose is to assist interested persons on their journey of conversion as disciples of Jesus Christ and to become active members of the community. It is also intended to revive the missionary spirit of all members of the faith family.

Evangelization: The entire Catholic Family is called, by baptism, to hear, reach out and invite others to hear and live the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The full initiation is adapted to meet the needs of people who are:
* not baptized;
* baptized in another Christian faith, but need instruction and initiation into the Catholic faith;
* baptized Catholic but not catechized or confirmed;

THE RCIA IS A FOUR STEP PROCESS

1.    INQUIRY: Inquirers are invited to ask questions, share their stories, hear the Good News and reflect on the place of Jesus in their lives. The length of the Inquiry period depends on the individual. Whenever Inquirers feel they are growing closer to Jesus and many of their questions have been answered, they formally request acceptance into the Catechumenate. The RCIA Team and Pastor discern their readiness after prayer and reflection.

2.    CATECHUMENATE:  Unbaptized  Inquirers  become Catechumens and baptized Inquirers become Candidates when the Faith Family of Nativity accepts them through the "Rite of Acceptance." They receive their Bible to pray, study and live.

They are expected to:
A. Grow in their personal relationship with Jesus.
B. Celebrate Mass with their new Faith Family every Sunday (8:30 AM). Since they cannot share the Food at our Eucharistic Table, after the Homily, the Pastor dismisses them to "break open the Word."
C. Pray with and for the community,
D. Continue to grow in understanding of Church teachings and traditions.
E. Practice Christian service, acts of charity and sharing faith.

When the Catechumens and Candidates feel they are ready for a full commitment to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church they formally request acceptance into the next step in the process. The RCIA Team and Pastor, after prayer and reflection discern their readiness.

3.    PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT: The Church Family of Nativity, on the first Sunday of Lent, formally accepts the Catechumens and Candidates for full membership and sends them forth to the Bishop for the Rite of Election for Catechumens and the Rite of Calling for Candidates. During these forty days and nights of Lent they are expected to continue their growth in faith and love.

SCRUTINIES
Readings on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent focus on helping newcomers overcome weakness and build strengths. They receive the Nicene Creed, the Our Father, Anointing, and Crucifix.

PREPARATIONS
The Elect live the Lenten call to prayer, fasting and almsgiving with the rest of the faith community. It is very important that they attend Holy Week services, especially during the Triduum, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

BAPTISM
Through immersion into the water of baptism, Catechumens share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sin is washed away and they become a "new creation in Christ".

RECEPTION INTO FULL COMMUNION
Previously baptized Candidates confess their sins, profess their faith and are received into full communion with the Church.

CONFIRMATION
This Sacrament of spiritual growth enables a person to stand before the world as a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit through the sacred anointing.

THE EUCHARIST
Newcomers share the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, which will deepen their initiation through their lives.

4.    DISCIPLESHIP:
The Final step leads into full participation. With the rest of the community, the newly initiated focus on developing a deeper understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection by:
  * Growing in their personal relationship with Jesus;
  * Celebrating the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist every Sunday;
  * Praying and studying the Scriptures daily;
  * Joining a Bible Study Group;
  * Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure;
  * A Discipleship Ministry in the Church and the World.

If you would like to learn more about what the Catholic Church believes, please give Dottie Schnapf a call at  (812) 476-7186.
 

Send mail to noskins@evansville-diocese.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10-3-08