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The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process used by the Catholic Church to present the beliefs of this faith to those adults who have made a conscious decision to explore coming into full communion with the Church.
Our RCIA Team, in conjunction with the pastoral staff, is committed to the presentation of the doctrine of our faith, in a welcoming and understandable manner, to members of our community who have made the decision to seek this step in their personal faith journey, and join with us as we strive to live the mission of Jesus Christ through prayer, service, outreach, fellowship and a true sense of family, as we minister to all members of our parish and community, especially to those in need. |
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CURIOUS ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process where adults enter the Catholic Church. RCIA classes normally begin at the end of August and continue until the end of May. The classes are held weekly and those who attend are in formation to learn what the Catholic Church believes and are given the opportunity to ask questions about those beliefs. If you are curious about the Catholic faith, or know someone who is, come and join us. There is no cost, other than your time and there is no obligation, just because you start doesn’t mean you have to finish. Classes are for the unbaptized and the baptized. All are welcome! Our classes begin on August 23, at 7:00 PM and meet most Tuesdays thereafter. The first step is to schedule an interview with Deacon Wally Haarsgaard. Call 336-884-5352 or email whaarsgaard@ihmchurch.org |
Become Catholic
RCIA Participants
- Inquirers
The period of inquiry, also known as the period of evangelization and precatechumenate, is a time to ask questions and become familiar with Gospel values. The period of inquiry has no fixed duration and structure, but rather is tailored to the needs of those being drawn into the mystery of God's love. This is a period in which the beginnings of the spiritual life and the fundamentals of Christian teaching take root, leading to a committment to change one's life by entering into relationship with God in Christ (RCIA, 42). - Catechumens
Catechumens are those who, "after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion" (RCIA, 1). Catechumens are those who have not been baptized; having both "undergone a conversion in mind and in action and...developed a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching as well as a spirit of faith and charity," (RCIA, 120) the Catechumens will be initiated into the Body of Christ with the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and eucharist. - Candidates
Candidates for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church are those who have been baptized in other Christian denominations and are seeking communion and unity with the Catholic Church. Having already been incorporated into the Body of Christ by virtue of their baptism, both doctrinal and spiritual preparation guide candidates "to deepen an inner adherence to the Church, where he or she will find the fullness of his or her baptism" (RCIA, 477). - The Period of Mystagogy
In the ancient church the period of postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogy was the central time for those who had been baptized to learn about the faith. "This is a time for the community and the neophytes together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the eucharist, and doing works of charity" (RCIA, 244). Neophytes—those who have been baptized—and those received into the Church continue to meet and reflect on their "new, personal experience of the sacraments and of the community" (RCIA, 246).
For more information, please contact Deacon Wally Haarsgaard at whaarsgaard@ihmchurch.org.
