RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is offered from September to May for those thinking about becoming a Catholic or completing their sacraments of initiation. RCIA is intended for adults with a wide range of needs and circumstances including:
· Those never baptized who are considering baptism, including those who may have a background in the Christian faith and those with no previous background.
· Those baptized in other Christian communities who are considering entering into full communion with the Catholic Church
· Those baptized as Catholics who have not yet received all their sacraments of initiation (first communion and confirmation)
· Parents seeking Baptism for older children and youth.
The first step is to arrange a meeting to find out about your faith background, to discuss the RCIA process and options, and to discern how best to serve your individual circumstances and needs.
To arrange a meeting regarding RCIA, please email the Pastor, Fr. Arjay Abanto at pastor@sacredheartcalgary.ca, or contact the Parish Office at 403-244-2741. Our Coordinators are Autumn Clark and Landon Dolanz.
FURTHER BACKGROUND:
RCIA is a journey of study, prayer, and sharing of faith experiences.
RCIA sessions are scheduled on most Sunday mornings, supplemented by home study. Sessions focus on the Bible readings from each Sunday Mass (Lectionary based) and catechesis (Church teachings) inspired by the Sunday readings. The participants’ workbook ‘Foundations in Faith’, serves as a resource and journal for the RCIA journey – and provides our RCIA Team with excellent resource materials for leading sessions. We also follow a weekly ‘Opening the Word’ short video series from the Catholic website Formed.org
RCIA is a process that unfolds in stages of spiritual development and faith formation:
· Inquiry is an early stage of discernment and answering basic questions.
· Catechesis explores our faith and the Church’s teaching in harmony with the Sunday liturgy.
· Purification & Enlightenment takes place during Lent, as a time of reflection and spiritual preparation for the Easter sacraments.
· Mystagogia is a period of reflection and celebration that deepens the mysteries of the Easter sacraments for those recently received into the Church and a time of transition into living the joys and responsibilities of full membership in the Catholic Church.
RCIA steps and stages are marked by ‘rites’, which are celebrations along the journey. Through these rites, our Parish community offers prayers of support and solidarity.
The Catholic Christian community is involved in the journey, including:
· Catechists (facilitators and teachers), God Parents and Sponsors, RCIA alumni and parishioners who offer their support and prayers.
We welcome new volunteers to help serve as Catechists, godparents, or sponsors.
Thanks, and God bless!
