R.C.I.A. News

What is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults?

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process designed for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and/or are thinking about becoming Catholic. We welcome new members year round. This year meetings take place in the Davidson Center on most Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm. The meetings present an overview of Catholic beliefs and provide an opportunity to ask questions and explore your feelings and any concerns you might have.

The RCIA exerts no pressure on people in any way; you will find yourself in a friendly and welcoming group where you can comfortably contemplate this important decision in your life. During the course of the process, members of the RCIA group are invited to participate in several preparatory Rites, which usually take place during Sunday Mass. Throughout the year, RCIA members that attend weekend Mass are dismissed after the homily to gather together in the Reflection Room of the Family Center to reflect on the homily and the Sunday readings until the end of Mass.

Those who go through the process who have not yet been baptized (called catechumens) have the opportunity to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where they receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Those who are already baptized and feel drawn to become members of the Catholic Church are received into Full Communion at the Easter Vigil as well.

For more information, call Patty Chase at 248.689.8380 ext 208 or email rcia@stanastasia.org.

The Rite of Election was celebrated last weekend at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. Our catechumens, candidates, and their sponsors attended the Rite on Saturday February 9, 2008 at 11 a.m. celebrated by Bishop Frank Reiss, one of five such celebrations held at the Cathedral in order to accommodate all the parishes of the archdiocese. This rite closes the period of the catechumenate proper, and marks the beginning of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, which is the final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. At the cathedral, our catechumens signed the scroll of catechumens, or the “enrollment of names,” and the candidates stood as their names were called. Thirty adults and four children have been faithfully attending RCIA and Children’s Catechumenate classes since September and are now entering the most intense period of their preparation. Please pray for them during these last few weeks.

RCIA Schedule

Sundays - 10:15 am Mass - Scripture Reflection

Tuesdays - 7 to 8:30 pm - Class

Date

Topic

9/16/07

Please note that this is a Sunday meeting.

A social gathering for introduction to the program and each other.

10/16/07

Dei Verbum - Introduction to the Bible

10/23/07

Church Tour and The Mass Explained

10/30/07

Who is Jesus?

11/6/07

God the Father

11/13/07

The Holy Spirit

11/20/07

The Body of Christ - The Church

11/27/07

The Liturgical Year - Advent; The Communion of Saints

12/2/07

Rite of Welcome

12/04/07

Dignity of the Human Person & the Nativity

Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, this session will meet in the Social Hall.

12/11/07

Whole Parish Catechesis event (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

12/18/07

The Sacred Deposit of Faith - Scripture and Tradition

12/20/07

Christmas Social

1/8/08

Mary, the Mother of God

1/15/08

The Moral Life - Commandments 1-3

1/22/08

The Moral Life - Commandments 4-7

1/27/08

BBT Vicariate RCIA Retreat at St. Hugo

1/29/08

The Moral Life - Commandments 8-10

2/5/08

Parish Mission Feb 3-6

2/10/08

Rite of Election

2/12/08

Introduction to Sacraments / The Sacramental Life

2/19/08

Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism & Confirmation

2/24/08

First Scrutiny

2/26/08

Sacraments of Initiation: Eucharist & Presentation of the Creed

3/2/08

Second Scrutiny

3/4/08

Sacraments of Healing: Penance & Anointing of the Sick

3/9/08

Third Scrutiny

3/11/08

Prayer; Instruction for Reconciliation and Presentation of the Lord's Prayer

3/15/08

Sacrament of Reconciliation

3/22/08

Easter Vigil

3/30/08

Divine Mercy Sunday

4/01/07

Debrief Easter Vigil - Open Forum

4/8/07

Tour Chapel - Eucharistic Adoration; Devotions

4/15/08

The Last Four Things - Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell

4/22/08

Vatican II - Apostolic Letters, Encyclicals, etc

5/6/08

Sacraments of Service of Communion: Marriage & Holy Orders

5/13/08

Living the Christian Life of Service

5/20/08

Pentecost Celebration

6/ /08

Morning of Reflection

Questions - Concerns contact us at

RCIA@stanastasia.org

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4571 John R Road ~ Troy, Michigan 48085

Phone: (248) 689-8380 ~ Fax: (248) 689-7489