RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, Teens, and Children

Who should be participating in R.C.I.A.?

We are a year-round R.C.I.A. ("Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults") for children, teens, and adults.

For those who are not yet baptized (ages 7 +), we prepare you to receive the three Catholic Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.   Following a minimum of one year of discernment and instruction, the Initiation sacraments are received on the evening of Holy Saturday.

Through R.C.I.A., we also prepare the baptized (8+) for three sacraments -- the Catholic sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.   Following several months of discernment and instruction, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is received at the end of a special Retreat.  Soon after, Confirmation and First Holy Communion are received together at the same weekend Mass.  

Adult Preparation (age 18+)

Adults can join our ongoing Inquiry Group which meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesday evenings.  (By appointment only, Saturday morning "make-up' sessions are available as needed.)   Our sessions for January have been completed. During FEBRUARY, our Tuesday sessions will be February 7, 21, and 28.  Join us in the Parish Center in the Mother Teresa Room.  

Teen Preparation (ages 14 - 17)

Teens participate in RCIA for Teens: T.N.T. (Train/Nurture/Thrive!)  Teens meet for 1-hour sessions on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Wednesdays evenings every month @ 6:30 p.m.  at the Parish Center. Our sessions for January have been completed.  In February, we will meet: February 1, 8, and 15. Please scroll down to the T.N.T. section for more specific information.

Teens are baptized with the adults. 

Teen RCIA is also appropriate for those teens who haven't yet received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion.  At the completion of instruction and spiritual discernment, baptized teens will prepare for their First Reconciliation.  Soon after, at a weekend Mass, they will receive the Catholic sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Child Preparation (7-12 if not baptized); (8- 12 if have been baptized)

Children are served both through R.C.I.A.'s Family Faith First and eventually (in their second year of preparation) PREP (St. Bede's parish religious education program).    

Children are baptized with the adults and teens.

Our next Family Faith First regular session will be on Sunday, February 5 @ 4:00 p.m.  Join us in the Parish Center.  Follow the Family Faith First signs.

 Why Year-Round R.C.I.A.?

At St. Bede's, R.C.I.A. is truly a year-round process which begins for you when YOU decide you want to begin to explore the Catholic faith. Every month, your specific RCIA group (children, teens, families, and adults) will be engaged in thoughtful preparation for the sacraments.  It is your opportunity to "feast" on the richness of the word of God -- the Bible -- and the treasury of the Catholic faith -- traditions centuries old yet still vibrant today.  You will be taking the time to learn a different way of living, of being. It is our hope and our prayer that through the RCIA process, you will come to embrace Catholicism as your way of life.

 What is R.C.I.A?  In 1988, the Catholic Bishops of the United States directed that adults becoming Catholic do so by a unique faith formation process called RCIA.  R.C.I.A. is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  It has also been adapted for children (over the age of seven) and for teens.

What are the Sacraments of Initiation?

There are actually three Catholic sacraments of Christian initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.  You are being prepared to receive all three on the same night. (If you have already received Christian baptism, you are also being prepared for three sacraments -- Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. You will not be asked to be baptized again.)

It is during the most special night of the entire Church year -- Holy Saturday (or the Easter Vigil) --that the Church receives those to be baptized whom during the Lenten Season, she has called "The Elect of God".  Through the Rite of Baptism, you will be asked to publicly reject Satan and submit to the waters of baptism.  This baptism symbolizes the death of your old life. By rising out of the water, you are truly born again. You now have a new life, a new identity!  You are now Christian, sharing in the identity of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, "light from light, true God from true God." (Nicene Creed c. 325)

After water baptism, your godparent covers you with a white baptismal robe and gives you a newly lighted candle.  It is a reminder of your New Life, your Rebirth. You are now accepting the responsibility to be a loving light to your family, your friends, co-workers, your community as Jesus Christ is Light to the entire world.

Immediately following Baptism, you (the "neophyte" or "newly planted") are anointed with Sacred Chrism.  It is a strengthening sign of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  To be confirmed is to embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit --to speak of Jesus with clarity and truth and love.

While you are still glistening with baptismal water and sacred chrism, you rejoin your companions and family in the pews. United in the Church's prayers, you prepare to fully receive our Lord. This is Eucharist (Holy Communion). Using the common elements of bread and wine, Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, humbles Himself so that His Body can be placed in our hands and on our tongues.  So that His Body can now be intimately a part of our body. Now you can be Him to others.  You become the face of Christ to a world in need.  Imagine the possibilities!  Your mission is not to serve yourself, but -- in His name -- to offer yourself in service to others. 

 

Sounds Great!   When can I start?

You can begin the Journey towards the Catholic Sacraments any time during the year.   

Interested? Please contact our Director of Initiation, Stefanie Vance at 818-949-4329  or email  (click on Stefanie's name above) for an appointment.

(Parents, see the Family Faith First section regarding RCIA for children and teens)

The Four Important Stages of the RCIA process         (an explanation of the fullness of conversion to the Roman Catholic Christian faith): Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy.  

What is Inquiry?

~Is open-ended; take your time to decide

~You should attend at least ten sessions before moving into the Catechumenate Period.

~Is also for baptized Christians who would like to receive the Catholic sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.

~You can remain in Inquiry as long as you like. 

~Provides you with "Basic Catholic" information (The Trinity, The Creed, Church History, Prayer, Basic Doctrine, the Saints)

~Is a time of spiritual discernment through group discussion and reflection.

~Allows plenty of time for your questions -- of the Church and of yourself:  "Is God really leading you to the lifelong adventure of a Catholic Christian?"

~Ends when you enter the Catechumenate via a retreat with your sponsor which prepares you both for your participation in the R.C.I.A. initial rite -- the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome.  Twice a year (in January and June), this Rite is celebrated at a weekend Mass. Our next Rite of Acceptance and Welcome is scheduled for Sunday, June 24.

All adults interested in Inquiry should contact Stefanie Vance at 818-949-4329 for an appointment or email (click on Stefanie's name above) for an appointment. (see the box at the bottom of this page for more information)

What is the Catechumenate Period?

  It begins at the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome.

• If you have never been baptized, you are now called a Catechumen (one who is under serious instruction about the Catholic faith)
• If you are baptized, you are now called a Candidate for Continuing Conversion to the Christian Faith.  (If you are already baptized, your time in the Catechumenate is usually less than one year)
• Like the Inquiry Period, this time is open-ended.
• Provides a time of deeper exploration of Catholic doctine, tradition, and bible study within a small group setting during Sunday Mass Dismissal sessions. These sessions are in addition to the Tuesday night meetings.
• All catechumens are expected to attend Sunday Mass Dismissal sessions.  (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Sundays year-round -- Mass times varies each month)
• Through service to others, apprenticing our Catholic faith-in-action at our parish and in our communities of home, work, and school.
• Full participation in Retreats and other special faith formation activities
• For the catechumen, it ends on the First Sunday of Lent via the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Elect -- at the start of the Purification and Enlightenment Period.

* If you are already baptized, the Catechumenate Period varies, but you should know that: 

• You have already enjoyed the life of a baptized child of God. You are now making the decision to fully embrace your Baptism via the Catholic sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. 
• If you are baptized Catholic, after suitable preparation, you will receive your First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Season. 
• For all candidates, the Sacrament of Reconciliation ("1st Confession") takes place at a retreat with your sponsor scheduled prior to your reception of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
• If you have not been baptized as a Catholic, after suitable preparation, you will be asked to make a brief Profession of Faith at the same Mass at which you will receive your Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  During the year, you will have two opportunities to receive the Catholic sacraments during our Rite of Reception -- one takes place in the Spring and the other takes place in the Fall.
• Sunday Dismissal sessions are optional for candidates; many have found participation to be a faith-enriching experience.
• Our Candidates' next Rite of Reception will take place Sunday, April 29, 2012.

 What is the Purification and Enlightenment Period?

• Takes place during the Lenten Season only.
• Only for the  catechumens who will be baptized on Holy Saturday, April 7, 2012.
• Time of intense preparation.
• Special Lenten Rites of Election (presentation by your sponsor to the parish at a  Sunday Mass and to the Archbishop at the Cathedral) and the three Lenten Sundays of the Scrutiny Rites (sharing with the Sunday assembly what is keeping you from surrendering to the love of Jesus --and allowing us to pray for your spiritual and physical needs)
• You are now a part of the Elect of God.
• Ends as you enter the waters of Baptism on Holy Saturday.
• *For those already baptized, you are asked to attend all Lenten Rites as a way of supporting those whom you have come to know through the Inquiry and Catechumenate periods.  You will receive Catholic Confirmation and First Holy Communion at later time (to be determined after RCIA instruction).

 Mystagogy is the final period of R.C.I.A.  It is coincides with the Easter Season.  Because you are a neophyte "newly planted", this is a time for you to fully dwell on the truth of the Sacramental life as a Roman Catholic. 

It is a final six-week nurturing of the neophytes which lasts throughout the Easter Season. 

You may continue to meet with the Sunday group for one-hour bible study/discussion after Mass or at another time convenient for the group.

• You now enjoy the fullness of Sunday Mass -- its readings, prayers, and meaning.
• Frequently feast on the Eucharist
• Mingle with the Sunday assembly before and after Mass.  They will be eager to congratulate you!
• Seek ways to be an active Catholic parishioner.
• Consider mentoring someone who is considering Inquiry.

On Pentecost Sunday the  neophytes receive their final R.C.I.A. blessing at weekend Mass.  The blessing concludes with these prophetic words,

_{"Go forth now}

_{to bring the love of Christ to others with all your body,}

_{with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your heart.} 

_{Nothing is ending.  All is beginning! Amen!"}

 Our Family RCIA Gatherings: Children & Their Families Attend Together

  is our R.C.I.A. answer for families of children who have not yet been baptized or who were not able to receive the Sacrament of 1st Communion in the 2nd grade.  Parents or guardians must attend each session with their child.

 Family Faith First is at least a two-year faith journey for those seeking baptism. Through these monthly meetings, your family is actively preparing your children for the Catholic Sacraments of Initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. These Sacraments will be received-- in their entirety-- at a future Easter Vigil. 

 If your child has already been baptized, and you have been attending Mass on a regular basis, your time in Family R.C.I.A. will vary.  Your child is also preparing to receive three sacraments -- Reconciliation (Confession), First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Sponsors are required to participate in two retreats with your child.  The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is received at a retreat. The Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion will be received at a time other than Lent or the Easter Season.

Through Family Faith First :

• Your family will grow in faith together -- guaranteed!
• Learn the benefits of bringing our Catholic faith and traditions (we have 2,000 years of treasures to discover!) into your home life
• Enjoy games, inter-active reflections, lively discussions with your children and other families, and participate in our special Advent/Lenten events designed to enrich your family's "God-life".
• During the 2nd year of Family Faith First,  your elementary-age children enroll in PREP (our parish religious education program).  If your child is currently enrolled in PREP, we will find a way to fit the monthly FFF events into your PREP schedule. 

All parents interested in Family Faith First  should contact  Stefanie Vance at 818-949-4329 or email (click on Stefanie's name above) for a family appointment.

 RCIA for Teens: T.N.T. (Train/Nurture/Thrive!)   Teens, you know you require attention of a different sort.      If you have not yet received your First Holy Communion, RCIA's T.N.T. for Teens is designed just for you.   Teen RCIA follows the general RCIA guidelines of the Adult Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy Periods.  (scroll up for that info)

T.N.T. (Train/Nurture/Thrive!) is:

• Designed for RCIA teens from ages 14 to 17 years old.
• Teens meet usually on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday evenings of every month: Meets as a small group for 75 minutes, beginning at 6:30 p.m. 
• Attending Mass with your family together is very important!
• Fully participating in the class sessions - discussion and questions are encouraged!
• Seeking ways to enrich yourself in the beliefs of our Catholic faith so you will be able to humbly evangelize your peers.
• Includes Catholic bible study.

 All teens interested in T.N.T. should contact  Stefanie Vance at 818-949-4329 or email (click on Stefanie's name above) for an appointment.

 

 Family Faith First (Family R.C.I.A.) meets the first Sunday afternoon of every month at 4:15 p.m. in the Parish Center.  We often attend Mass together at the 5:30 p.m. Sunday Youth Mass.

 Family RCIA is also appropriate for those children who haven't yet received the Catholic Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion.  At the completion of instruction and spiritual discernment, baptized children will prepare for their First Reconciliation.  Soon after, at a weekend Mass, they will receive the Catholic sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Please contact our Director of Initiation-RCIA  Stefanie Vance 818-949-4329 or email (click on Stefanie's name above) for an appointment or more information.