–OPENING SONG AND PRAYER

–All are Welcome

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

Introduction of the speakers

Followed by Introductions of each of the participants

ICE BREAKER (game)

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

–What is the R.C.I.A.?

– The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process whereby those interested in learning about the Catholic faith come together on a weekly basis to learn about the scriptures and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and at the same time, to discover where God is present in their lives.

– The process is designed for those adults who are:

Unbaptised Baptised in another tradition Baptised Catholic, but with no further religious training or sacraments

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

– The ideal is for there to be an R.C.I.A. process available in every Roman Catholic parish. Those who want to join an RCIA group should aim to attend one in the parish where they live.

– For those who join an R.C.I.A process it is a period of REFLECTION, PRAYER, INSTRUCTION, DISCERNMENT, AND FORMATION. On average the process takes between eight to twelve months, but it can take up to two years or more.

– Those who enter the process are expected to begin attending Holy Mass on a Sunday, attend a weekly R.C.I.A. session, and to become increasingly more involved in the activities here at Saint Martha.

– The R.C.I.A. process should be overseen throughout every period and step by the local parish pastor, clergy, and / or religious. However, the week-to-week running of the process, including the teaching element of it, is increasingly being undertaken by lay Catholic Catechists.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Overview

Introduction of RCIA ministers2minute sharing of their service in this ministry

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

GROUPING

–with RCIA ministers in each group(Each group will have a speaker)

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

– The people of God, as represented by the local Church, should understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptized.

– Therefore the community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ.

– (R.C.I.A., Introduction 9)

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Overview

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

A)What does this passage mean to you?

B)What can you do now where you are, with what you know, with what you have to answer the call and fulfill your apostolic vocation?

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

SHARING

–Each group will have the chance to share their thoughts

–(Each group will have a speaker)

–Please remain with your group

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

– The United States Bishops have stated that the R.C.I.A. is "renewing the life of the Church in the United States" and that it must continue to be a priority in our parishes.

Why is it a priority?This is a priority precisely because it does (or at least it can) renew parish life. The R.C.I.A. is a journey of conversion for the person participating in the initiation process, and by extension it can be a journey of conversion for the whole parish! The people who come to our Parish doors saying, "I want to be Catholic," are indeed "seeking" something. What they really seek is GOD.

– That is conversion happens if the parish fully embraces the process of initiation and open its arms to invite them into this process whereby they walk the journey of faith with the candidates for initiation to develop, deepen and enrich their relationship with this loving God.

–

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Overview

REFLECTION QUESTIONSA) If given an opportunity, how will you

evangelize a person inquiring about your Catholic Faith?

B) How does someone else’s faith journey affect your own faith journey?

C) What gifts do you have that you can bring to RCIA?

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

SHARING

–Each group will have the chance to share their thoughts

–(Each group will have a speaker)

–Please remain with your group

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

– Matthew 28:16-20 “The Commissioning of the Disciples”

– *16 The eleven* disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

– 17* When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

– 18*  Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

– 19 * Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,

– 20 *teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. * And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

–

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Overview

Short reflection on the Reading

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

RCIA Talk One July 22, 2013

Extending the Invitation-Come and See

HANDOUT One(1) How do we get more people in the RCIA? by Nick Wagner

QDo you have any guidelines or suggestions for recruiting inquirers? we are looking to extend our reach.

A How do we get parishioners to be more active evangelizers? Catholics are can be a little skittish about “evangelization.” So it is always important to keep in mind what we mean by Catholic evangelization.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

The Rural Catechumenate, Michael Clay identifies six characteristics of evangelization that are particularly Catholic.

– *1*Catholics make every effort to foster a deep conversion to the Gospel in the one being evangelized. This means, of course, we must be deeply converted to the Gospel ourselves and be willing to share it with others. *2*Catholics don’t proselytize. We invite without manipulating. *3*Catholics think local cultures are fascinating, especially those we don’t understand very well. We can always find something in someone else’s culture that is a good starting point for talking about our faith. *4*Catholics don’t steal sheep. That is, we don’t try to get people to change Christian denominations if they are fruitful and happy where they are. Of course, we are always open to Christians of any denomination who have questions about us or an interest in us. *5*We accept people exactly where they are in life, even if their lifestyle is difficult for us. That’s what Jesus did, and that’s what we do. *6*Maybe most importantly, we become companions. We listen well, we empathize, we support, and we are loving toward everyone we encounter. *****The other is “Invite!“*****

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Announcements (refreshments right after)Distribution of the flyers for the next

schedule

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

CLOSING SONG and PRAYER We are called

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview

Resources FROM the VATICAN

Pope Paul VI’s letter, “On Evangelization in the Modern World.

– http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/ documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi_en.html

– You are free to copy, download these slides and please pray one Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be for the intentions of our Holy Father Francis and for the whole world.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA) Overview