This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:

"One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs on his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." ~ Mark 1:7-11:L21B

RCIA - What's It All About?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process and celebration of many rites leading to the Easter Sacraments. Do you have questions about the Catholic Faith? Are you searching for a deeper relationship with God? If you are interested in becoming a member of our Catholic community, read on...

The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. In 1974 the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults was formally approved for use in the United States.
~ Obtained from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

For Adults:

This is a gradual process of conversion, initiation, and catechesis for:

• Unbaptized adults
• Adults baptized in another Christian denomination (not Catholic)
• Adults who have been baptized Catholic but have not completed their initiation (celebrated First Eucharist and/or Confirmation)

This rite takes place within the community of faith and includes "not simply the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, but also all the rites belonging to the catechumenate (RCIA #2)."

The process involves individuals who are interested in becoming Catholic the opportunity to journey with others in faith through prayer, study of the Catholic tradition, and reflection on the Scriptures.

Preparation process includes:

• Weekly formation sessions
• Weekly Mass/Dismissal sessions
• Celebration of various liturgical rites
• Discernment Interviews
• Retreats

For Children:

This form of the Rite of Christian Initiation is intended for children not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason (7 years old), and are of catechetical age (RCIA #252). As with adults, this is a gradual process that takes place within the community of faith and includes conversion, initiation, and catechesis. The process for children also includes the components listed above.

If your child has not been baptized, please bring this to the attention of the St. Blase staff when registering. We welcome the opportunity to work with you. Sessions will be scheduled to meet the needs of the participants.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Process

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is made up of four steps or periods. It takes place in and with the community. If you are unbaptized or were baptized in another Christian tradition, you are invited to consider becoming Catholic and take part in the RCIA process.

I. Precatechumenate/Period of Inquiry - a time of inquiry. It's an opportunity to ask questions, share stories, and name God's call.

• Semi-structured, time to answer questions
• Weekly information sessions and faith sharing
• A time for introduction to Gospel values
• Sharing faith stories
• Talking with RCIA team
• Retreat
• Participants are called INQUIRERS

CELEBRATION OF THE RITE OF ACCEPTANCE

II. Period of Catechumate - signifies a movement from being inquirers to people who have begun to make a commitment to the community of believers.

• Sponsor-Catechumen/Candidate relationship developed
• Weekly formation sessions continue
• Weekly dismissal...breaking open of the Word at Mass
• Develop ministerial direction
• Gospel lifestyle
• Sufficient understanding of Christ and a desire to continue learning
• Individual discernment
• Retreat
• Those to be baptized are called CATECHUMENS
• Those already baptized are called CANDIDATES

CELEBRATION OF THE RITES OF SENDING AND ELECTION

III. Period of Purification and Enlightenment - the period of final preparation before the celebration of the Easter Sacraments on Holy Saturday.

• Deepened spirituality and awareness of purification
• Weekly formation sessions continue
• Scrutinies celebrated at Mass
• Intense preparation for the Easter Sacraments
• Presentations
• Prayer / Fasting
• Holy Week / Triduum
• Mini-Retreat
• Catechumens are called ELECT
• Candidates are still called CANDIDATES

CELEBRATION OF THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

IV. Mystagogia - post-initiation. Comes from the word "mystery." A time of living out the mystery and joy experienced in the sacramental celebration of Easter.

• Reflect on the Rite of Initiation
• Emphasis on Eucharistic Celebration
• Ongoing formation for the journey of life
• Integrate Neophyte into active life of the community
• Continued Sponsor support
• Elect and Candidates are called NEOPHYTES

The RCIA Program and Children

"I am 13 years old and want to be baptized. What do I have to do?"

"My child is 10 years old and has never been baptized. Will he have to be baptized with the babies?"

The RCIA process is not just for adults (even though it has the word 'adults' in the title). The rite has a special section that provides guidelines for the initiation of children who have reached catechetical age. What that means is that children, who are older than seven and wish to be baptized, go through a process that is comparable to that of adults, but has been adapted to meet their unique needs. Their formation sessions and Sunday dismissals take place with others their own age, so that they share similar life experiences and the planned activities can be age-appropriate.

If you have a child that wants to be baptized, or you would like more information regarding Baptism for your older children, please call the Parish Office. And - just in case you were wondering - older children are not baptized with the babies on Sunday mornings.

"Why are there Children and how for an example can a nine year old be a sponsor? I thought Confirmation sponsors had to be older."

This is a question that has been asked of me many times in the past few weeks as the St. Blase community becomes better acquainted with the names and faces of the RCIA elect and candidates. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) tells us that children over the age of reason (about 7) who are unbaptized or coming to the Catholic faith from another Christian tradition are to be treated in the same way as adults for purposes of initiation. Their formation in the Catholic way of life should follow the same pattern as that of adults, so that children receive a sponsor just as adults do. The rite calls these child sponsors "peer companions" and says that children being initiated should belong to a group of children of the same age for their formation. It recognizes that the faith of a child seeking baptism is supported and nurtured in a setting of companions of a similar age, as well as their family and the parish at large.

When parents bring their infants to the Catholic Church for Baptism, they are accepting responsibility for raising their children in the practice of their faith, bringing the children to Mass each Sunday and showing the children how to live the Christian life through their own example. When children have not had this support or upbringing in the faith and not celebrated the initiation sacraments at the "normal times", they become part of the RCIA process.

The sharing of life experiences is a very important part of the RCIA process; it is here that we come to see how God is working in our lives. Children relate to children in a way that is very different from the way that adults relate to children. Having a peer companion or child sponsor allows a child to benefit from a living example of faith that they can then emulate. The child sees how the sponsor is following Jesus in a way appropriate for their age, and the child can then do the same.

It takes the whole parish to initiate new members. We each have a role, and I commend these young sponsors/peer companions for taking that responsibility seriously, with dedication and commitment. I also am grateful for their parents whose constant support enabled their participation.

Have you thought about YOUR role? What kind of example are you for those who seek initiation? I invite you to consider giving the gift of your time to journey with an inquirer in the coming months. Please call the parish office for more information.

Become an RCIA Sponsor...Contact Joe Wilseck at (586) 268-2244.

An RCIA sponsor is a person willing to be a friend, witness, companion and guide for a woman or man seeking Christian initiation. Sponsors do not teach, but rather accompany the person seeking initiation on their faith journey. Although initiation is the responsibility of the whole community of St. Blase, the sponsor represents the community in a personal and direct way; therefore we need BOTH children and adult sponsors (anyone over the age of 8). Time commitment includes attendance at weekly Tuesday evening sessions with the candidate for the duration of the candidate's participation in the RCIA process (approximately 9-12 months).

It's your responsibility!

It is said that St. Francis of Assisi once commented to his friars, "Go and preach, using words if you must." That same challenge is given to each one of us by virtue of our baptism. We are called to be witnesses of our faith and to share who God is in our lives with others. Whether we are aware of it or not, the way we live our lives, the way we give ourselves to others, speaks volumes to those who come into contact with us.

Perhaps someone you know has shared with you how you have touched their life or how they can tell that God is important to you. Perhaps some of these people have experiences an interest in learning more about your faith. Perhaps you would be interested in sharing more with others as a sponsor in the RCIA process.

The RCIA offers participants the opportunity to reflect on the scriptures and discover how those scriptures apply to their lives; to look at the teachings of the Church; and to grow in faith through prayer and community. If you know someone who might be interested in this process, please have them call the Parish Office for an initial conversation. We also ask you to keep these individuals in your prayers. The encouragement and prayer of the faith community is one of the greatest supports they can have!