Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a formal process whereby those who are unbaptised, are assisted in joining the Catholic Church by receiving what is called the Sacraments of Initiation.

The sacraments of initiation are made up of three sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. As adults, all three Sacraments are received at the same time, and this usually occurs during Easter time. Once all three Sacraments have been received, a person is then a fully participating member of the Catholic Church.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is also called the Catechumenate: it is a process by which interested people (“Enquirers”) are brought into active membership of the Catholic Church. The RCIA provides people with a flexible framework for a shared journey of faith. It challenges us all to be open to the mystery of God in our life.

It is not the Catholic community that somehow magically bestows faith. God has been powerfully at work in the lives of these “Enquirers” long before they approach the church. The RCIA program aims to trust God’s grace at work in all of our lives, and keep a strong focus on Jesus.

The St William's RCIA Coordinator is Mr Brian Gagen (Brian's thoughts on RCIA)

BECOMING CATHOLIC  - RCIA Journey to Easter 2008/ 9

Each year in the parish it becomes the right time and place for some people to choose a new direction to their life. Their decision to become a Catholic becomes part of a special faith journey. It will change the way you see God and the way you relate to Christ, and that will surely change the way you see and live your life.

WHO CHOOSES TO BECOME CATHOLIC? Anyone touched and called by God. Sometimes it is the parents of children receiving the sacraments; sometimes the partner of a Catholic who wants to join in more fully; sometimes a friend or neighbour who wants to ask important questions; really anyone who feels the time is right and thinks perhaps the time has come! Enquiry Sessions will be arranged from next week in the parish, both at Grovely and Samford. Check parish notices.

WHAT’S TO BE DONE? Simply make contact. We encourage you to ring the parish office
07 (3355 2667). They will help you contact Father Frank, the parish priest, Father Stephen or Brian Gagen, the RCIA coordinator.

MAKE A START NOW. Groups are being set up in the parish to help people explore their questions about the Catholic faith. You are most welcome to join a group that suits you. Simply make that phone calland it will happen.

RCIA GROUPS are set up each year to support anyone wanting to become a Catholic. Each group becomes part of a very special Journey to Easter 2009. Meeting times are arranged to suit people’s needs. So is this the right time for you? Find out!

Future RCIA key dates:

Rite of Welcome

This will be celebrated on November 16, 2008 at the 9.30 Mass at St Willam’s Grovely. (The “Home Meetings” will then be held regularly at a time and place that suit all concerned.)

 Rite of Election/Enrolment

This will be celebrated March 1, 2009 (at a Mass TBA) at St. William’s Grovely.

This First Sunday of Lent begins a special time of preparation for the candidates and catechumens – and their support teams.

Presentation of Creed

Sunday March 8, 2009, St Stephen’s Cathedral 3 p.m. (A special day shared with many other parishes, and includes our Bishops and other RCIA people from all over Brisbane.

Rites of Healing and Strengthening

Special community prayers of support for catechumens at different Masses during the Sundays of Lent.

Reflection Day

Palm Sunday April 5, 2009 begins HOLY WEEK. It is a day we set aside for reflection and reconciliation, generally held at St Andrew’s school, 10.30 till 3.30.

SACRAMENTAL INITIATION - HOLY SATURDAY April 11, 2009

 Two points to note: each person’s Journey to Easter is profoundly personal, and must be tailored to the individual. Each Journey, too, is communal and is celebrated, in special ways, by the Catholic communities of Grovely, Mitchelton and Samford.

We thank the many people supporting the Journey of Faith that each candidate makes, especially the Sponsors and Catechists who share the journey in many personal ways.

The RCIA Journey

Toward Mature Faith
Forming an Adult Church in Small Ways
Michael P Horan

Adapted and summarised by Brian Gagen

Mature faith has been identified as the goal of all catechesis and adult faith education. The article highlights interesting perspectives on adult faith and the role of small groups in the process.

Based on ancient Christian practice, the renewed catechumenate has been injecting new life into parish communities for the past three decades. What makes it so effective?

• It closely links Liturgy to all facets of the community’s life
• It links adult formation to the rites of initiation (recalling our baptism, confirmation and first eucharist)
• It keeps focus on the parish community as the principal sponsor and mentor in  faith for candidates or inquirers
• It has revolutionised our thinking about adult faith conversations

Four Features of Adult Faith Sharing

Small faith-sharing groups are not new, and they come in a variety of styles. Their general starting point is a desire to “break open” the word of God. Group members make sense of the Scriptures by asking how the word calls them to greater trust in God and deeper connection with the people around them.

What is so valuable about the small group format for adult faith formation?

1. Small is beautiful. So much of Catholic worship and social life is large. Faith-sharing groups introduce an alternative way to be Catholic with other Catholics. Small groups help adults feel welcome. Every adult who attends a small group session engages in conversation with other adults and prayer.
2. Honest is Better than Pious. Small groups insist on honest talk about these Scriptures and honest talk about one’s faith. Something beneficial happens when adults engage in honest conversation about topics and dimensions of their lives that they regard as truly important.
3. Faith Journey Makes Sense of Life. The journey metaphor is central in narrating the life of faith. It is a metaphor that pervades the catechumenate. The image helps people see the life of faith first and foremost as a relationship with God and others. Only secondarily is our faith an assent to doctrinal truths. And our faith journey, while including a roadmap, can never be taken while sitting in an armchair. It engages the whole person, body, mind and spirit.
4. No Place to Hide. Small faith-sharing groups will often shake our assumptions and challenge our lay Catholic passivity. Mature faith finds expression in responsible adults who see themselves as full members of the church, inviting, blessing, sharing what they have found in the Word of God and in the disclosure of God’s ways in their lives.

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