RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is the process by which one becomes a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church. RCIA is for those who are unbaptized and have no Christian background, those who were baptized and raised in other Christian communities, or even Catholics who have not completed their sacraments of initiation (Confirmation and/or Eucharist). The program is also for those who are not Catholic and want to find out what the Catholic Church believes and teaches.
The process leads participants toward a total conversion of self to the person of Jesus Christ. There are small steps along the way to conversion and participation in these steps is important. HOWEVER, participation in the steps does not mean that you are committing to becoming a Catholic. There is no pressure for you to join the Church and you can walk away at any time up to the Easter Vigil, when if you choose, you will be received into the Church.
Our sessions are designed to give participants as broad and deep an understanding of the Catholic Faith as possible in our limited time. Each week we explore a different topic of the Faith:
Revelation; Scripture & Sacred Tradition; Bible, Salvation History; Faith, God the Father, Creation & the Fall; The Love & Story of Jesus; Personal Relationship with Jesus; Angels, Devils, Free Will & Divine Providence; Conscience, the Link between Faith & Morals; Catechism-Sin, Original, Mortal, Venial Sin; The Mass-Center of Our Worship/Tour of the Church; Jesus: Two Natures, Conception, Incarnation, Redemption, & Ascension; Mary; Ten Commandments; Holy Spirit Blessed Trinity; Grace, Gifts & Fruits of the Holy Spirit; Baptism; Confirmation & Anointing of the Sick; Eucharist/Holy Communion; Moral & Theological Virtues, Beatitudes, Seven Deadly Sins, Precepts of the Church; History of the Rosary, Prayer & Sacramentals; Magisterium; Angels & Saints; Holy Orders & Matrimony; Four Last Things; The Catholic Church, Universal Sacrament of Salvation, Mystical Body of Christ, Communion of Saints, & Four Marks of the Church; Catholic Social Teaching; Penance–How to go to Confession, & Eucharist-How to Receive.
These topics are presented in a “classroom” type manner. However, at each session there is time for questions, discussion and fellowship. We try to explain not only what Catholics believe, but why. We close each session with a different closing prayer so that you are familiar with the main forms of prayer in the Church.
There are also no fees for the sessions.
Sessions are held every Thursday evening from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM starting from the Thursday after Labor Day and concluding the second Thursday after Easter.
For more information or to register, contact Deacon Larry Fudacz at 630-323-4333 Ext. 20.