St. Monica - St. George Faith Formation at 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH 45219 US - Overview: RCIA
| Overview: RCIA |
|
What is the RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process through which adults prepare to become full members of the Catholic Church. Who can participate in the RCIA? Anyone! The program is open to: 1) adults who have never been baptized in any Christian faith; 2) baptized adults of other faiths who are thinking about becoming Catholic; 3) adults who were baptized as Catholics but have not celebrated the sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation; 4) adults who are practicing Catholics but who have not yet celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation; 5) any adult who simply wishes to learn more about the Catholic faith.
What if I belong to another faith?
If you belong to another faith and are considering becoming Catholic, we would encourage you to discuss your situation with your current pastor or other religious leader. Sometimes people feel dissatisfaction with their church because of something that happened long ago or in another place. Such misunderstandings can often be addressed through honest and open communication. The decision to change one's religion (whether to Catholicism or to any other faith) should involve a deep spiritual commitment and transformation, and should not be made lightly or for the wrong reasons. It is important to note that the RCIA is not a "conversion" program of any sort. We deeply respect other religious traditions, and we encourage you to explore your own faith more deeply before you consider changing to another faith.
What if I've never belonged to any religion?
Then the fact that you're reading this is probably a sign of some spiritual awakening! We would encourage you to explore the Catholic faith with us, and we would also encourage you to explore other faiths, so that you may discern what is the right path for you to follow. In some way God is calling you, even if it is only a whisper now. May the seeds of faith within you grow abundantly!
What kind of commitment is required?
The only commitment we ask for is that you be honestly committed to deepening your own faith life. There is no commitment to the program per se, or to St. Monica – St. George Parish. You can leave the program at any time. And you can always come back at some later date if you so choose. The purpose of the RCIA is to help you in exploring the dimensions of your own faith, and in discerning whether you feel called to join the Catholic church. Your own process of discernment may lead you in another direction, and we promise to respect that.
What will I be learning?
The RCIA process focuses on learning about and participating in the Catholic faith. You will learn more about: 1) the Bible and its application to our daily lives 2) the life, person, and teaching of Jesus, from his birth to his resurrection 3) the history of Christianity 4) the structure and function of the church itself 5) the sacraments 6) morality and the Christian life.
What will I be doing?
In terms of participation, you are encouraged to attend Sunday mass and to become more involved in parish activities and ministries. During the course of the RCIA process, there are also some special rites and ceremonies that you will be involved in (don't worry -- they're very simple!). The "summit" of the RCIA process takes place at the Easter Vigil, the Saturday evening before Easter. At that time, you will celebrate the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. You will then be fully initiated into the Catholic faith. You are not of course in any way required to celebrate the sacraments at this time -- if you are still unsure of the direction of your faith journey, we will understand. If you choose to postpone celebrating the sacraments of initiation, or if you choose to pursue another course in your faith journey, we will respect your decision.
When does it take place?
At St. Monica – St. George Parish, the RCIA is a 8-month process that begins in late September of each year and runs through early May. Sessions meet on Sundays during the 10:30 mass and from 12:00 noon to 1:30 PM.
What's expected of me?
The most basic expectation is that you be willing to explore your own faith life. This exploration may eventually lead you to become Catholic, or it may lead you in another direction. As noted above, we will respect your decision! If you do plan to be fully initiated into the Catholic church, it is expected that you regularly attend both the RCIA sessions and the Sunday liturgy, and that you make an effort to become more involved in parish activities.