N"TOUNNTY IN fAITH

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St. Stephen Catholic Parish

R.C.I.A. Sessions201,4 - 2015

Sour"n, ihiitian inttiatton of adults. Our Sunday Visitor' 2004' and How

i.t " ""r*n t""o^ugotblig Liturgt Training Publication' 1987'

Becoming a Catholic: (a catechumen or a caniliilate)The Rite of Christian Lritiation, or catechumenate, is the way the

church helps an unbaptized person prepare for and reflect on

baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. A Person in the

catechummate is called a catechumen.

Others whci are already bapfized, but preparing for reception

into fulI communion with the Roman tradition is not necessarily

led through the fulIcatechumenal process and we call him or her a

candidate.

How iloes Christian Initiation take place?

All parishes of a diocese are united through the ministry of the

bishop who, as clrief pastor, is responsible for the initiation of new

Catholic Christians. The bishop's role is clearly seen when he

meets the catechumens for the rite of election (at the beginning of

Lent). This liturgy, celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa,

beautifully demonstrates the diversity and unity of the church into

which new members are initiated.

Stages of the Catechumenate

I. Period of lnquiryThe gospel of ]esus Christ is proclaimed, inquirers reflect on

their own lives, ask questions, find out more about the church and

the faith. After this period some inquirers choose not to Pursueinitiation.

Il. Perioil of the Cathechumenate

Those who profess their faith in ]esus Christ and sincerely desire

to enter the drurch are accepted into the order of catechumens.

With the help of a sPonsor and members of the parish, the

catechumens experience the church as a community of believers;

their spirit, their work, their prayer, their creed and their mission.

A person may remain a catechumen from a few months to a

number of years.

IlI. P erio d of PurificationA formal invitation at the rite of election for those who will

be baptized at the Easter Vigtl. (They are now called "elect").

This will take place at the Co-Cathedral with the bishoppresiding.

Lent becomes a time of final preparation. There are the rites

of scrutiny when the community prays special Prayers for the

elect, they are given a copy of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

IV. Sacraments of lnitiationIrr the early Churctu the Easter Vigil was the only liturgy of

the year in which people joined the Church. This was because

at Easter we celebrate Chrisfs victory over death and our

sharing in that victory through baptism. The joumey duringthat all-night vigil was a journey from darkness to ligh! fromdeath to life. This is the journey that new Christians share, as

they descend and rise fonn the waters of baptism, in whichthey are reborn.

At the Easter Vigrl the elect are bapttzed and confirmed;candidates are confirmed. The new Catholics complete theirinitiation by approa"lt itg the Lord's table for the first time toreceive His Body, as full members of His Body at last.

V.Perioil of MystagogyThe final period of Christian initiation is called

"Mystagogy" (from the Greek, meaning "interpretation ofmystery"). It continues through the Easter season, up untilPentecost. During this period, the new Catholics, or"neophytes," are "deepening their grasP of the paschal

mystery and making it part of their lives through meditationon the Gospe| sharing in the Eucharist, and doing the works ofcharity". Throughout the RCIA, the support and witress of the

entire parish has been important. That role continues duringmystagogy, as the parish welcomes the neophytes and

continues to offer them encouragement on their journey withus toward Christ.

R.C.I.A. ClassSchedule201.4-2015

Sunday morning at L0:30 a.m- $PAMBldg)

(Sun) October 72,2014

The Existence of God(Sun) October 19,2O't4

Sacramentals & SPirit of PraYer

(Sun) October 26,2014

Divine Revelation

Story of the PeoPle of God

November 9,20!4The Catholic Church

November L6,2014

The Mass

November 2g,2}l4Advent & the Liturgical Year

(Thurs) November 28, 2Ol4

Thanksgiving DaY Mass 9:00 a.m.

November 30,2014

Join in Parish Feast Celebration

December 7,20\4Immaculate ConcePtion

December 14,2074

Origins & Traditions ofChristmas

December 21,2014

Outreach with CCD

(Thurs) December 24-25, 2074

Midnight Mass(Sun) |anuary 4,2075EpiPhanY Celebration

January \1,2075

January L8,2015

]anuary 25,2015

February 1,2015

February 8,2015

February L5,2075

(Tues) February 17,2015Shrove TuesdaY

(Wed) February L8,201.5

Ash WednesdaY

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EASTER SUNDAY

RCIA continues withMystagogY