Becoming Catholic / RCIA
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Persons in need of Baptism
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Persons baptized in another Christian tradition who
desire to become Catholic
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Persons baptized Catholic in need of first Communion and
Confirmation
Neophyte Newsletter for new Catholics
March
New Light Newsletter
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The RCIA is the process that
prepares and initiates people into the Catholic Church through
the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.
The RCIA is the modern form of
the "catechumenate" of the early days of the Church. Becoming
Christian in the first five centuries involved a sharp break
with the surrounding Roman culture. New Catholic Christians
entered into a way of living which demanded deep commitment and
often risked their lives to become Christian. In the modern
world, our faith also demands deep commitment -- our beliefs and
the beliefs of our society are often in tension.
Step One: Meet with an
RCIA team member who will help you get started. When you begin
the process there is no obligation on your part. The first
meetings are called inquiry and they are a chance for you to ask
questions, receive the good news of Catholic Christian life and
open the way for spiritual growth.
Step Two: At the Rite of Acceptance, those who are ready
may enter into a deeper relationship with the Church and begin
their formal preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation within
the Catechumenate.
In the days leading up to the celebration of Easter the members
of the Catechumenate enter into a period of intense preparation.
Those who will be received into the Church are immersed in the
Church’s prayers and love to prepare for fruitful reception of
the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy
Communion).
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Interested in learning more about the Church?
The Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults or RCIA is the way that the Catholic
Church helps people prepare for life as an adult
Catholic.
Do you have questions about the Catholic Faith
and are not Catholic?
Are you a Christian who wants to learn more about
Catholicism?
Has God been calling you to consider Catholic
Christian faith?
Are you an adult Catholic who has never received
First Holy Communion?
If you answer yes to any of these questions...
PLEASE JOIN US!
To start: call or e-mail Stacy Phillips at
541-8903 to make an appointment.
Please Note: You do
not need to have decided to become Catholic
to begin the first part of RCIA called Inquiry classes! |
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Heidi Sierras was baptized by Pope Benedict on April 11, 2009 taking the Confirmation name "St. Francis".
click here to
read more
Please visit these websites for more coverage of Heidi's Initiation
http://www.modbee.com/life/story/663579.html
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17771 |
The Final and 3rd RCIA
“Scrutiny Rite”, Sunday at the Noon Mass
On the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent we
participate in the Scrutinies. The universal Church
hears the stories of the Samaritan woman, the man
born blind, and the raising of Lazarus. These
readings were chosen to be the driving force of
prayerful introspection, surrender, and conversion.
They offer powerful images of surrender, sin,
conversion, faith, and healing. We are challenged
with the Samaritan woman at the well when we thirst
for the Lord, who knows what we need and provides
it; we beg, with the man born blind, to see Jesus,
who is the light and gives us sight; and finally we
lie with Lazarus within the tomb of oblivion and
death, built with the stones of our own sins, until
Jesus reaches out his hand and pulls us from the
pit. The Scripture readings for each Scrutiny are
listed below. Perhaps you might read them
slowly, asking the Lord to give you the grace to
hear what is being said to you.
The readings for the Mass where the Scrutiny takes
place are taken from Cycle A. |
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1st Scrutiny,
Mar 7, 5:30pm
(3rd Sun of Lent)
Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8
John 4:5-42
2nd Scrutiny,
Mar 14, 10:30am
(4th Sun of Lent)
1 Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13a
Psalm 23:1-6
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
3rd Scrutiny,
Mar 21, 12noon
(5th Sun of Lent)
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-7
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45 |
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 This year's Easter Vigil
was very special at St. Joseph’s as the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of Stockton, joined
the Easter Vigil and two Easter morning Masses in our
parish. Bishop Blaire presided at the
baptisms of 34 new Catholics on April 11th and also celebrated the 9:00am
and 10:30am Masses on the morning of April 12th.
Many thanks from our parish to our bishop! |
"Catechism" Classes for
unbaptized children age 7+
The Church recognizes that today some children from
Catholic families may not be baptized as infants. By
participating in RCIA for children and teens young
people are prepared to receive the sacraments of
initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion at
the Easter Vigil Mass. You may register at any
time by contacting the PSR office. The regular Registration Weekend for the 2009-2010 school year is June 13-15.
click here to visit PSR |
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The short answer is you! When any parish has many
inquirers year after year it is the fruit of the Holy
Spirit as parish members open their hearts to welcome
others. Members of a welcoming and evangelizing
community take seriously their call to share the divine
message of salvation. It happens in parish families, the
workplace, in gatherings with friends and neighbors, and
in daily contacts. Give thanks to God as he continuously
strengthens each of us who seek to do his will in
offering a gentle, humble, and clear welcome to the
Catholic faith. “Go out into the whole world and
proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) |
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