Thank you for your interest in what is happening with RCIA. I'll try to be succinct and to organize this cleanly and clearly. As a friend is fond of saying, "Clarity is Charity." Speaking of clarity, I'm going to list the questions I will answer on this page. I'm also going to use RCIA in the questions because it is familiar, even though the first question is "Is RCIA's name changing?"
Is RCIA's name changing?
Is the process changing?
Are the classes changing?
How does RCIA relate to Commissioned in Christ?
How can someone help with RCIA? What if I don't want to teach?
I know this is long, I invite you to consider printing it and reading a physical copy if that is easier for you. Is RCIA's name changing? This question arises because the church document governing how an adult becomes a fully initiated Christian in the Catholic Church has been revised and is being released on November 1. The title of the current book is Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults hence RCIA. The revised translation carries the title, Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Many have already switched the acronyms and started saying OCIA. I'm sure I will fall into the habit of using OCIA, especially internally and on the back-end of things. I do want to offer the invitation that this is a great opportunity to choose to stop using an acronym that insiders understand as the title for how those outside Catholicism enter it. This is particularly true because both books (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) are predominately liturgical books governing the process and don't establish a curriculum for the classes. We don't invite engaged couples to go to OHM (Order of Holy Matrimony). We ask them to go through Marriage Preparation.
Is the process changing? In regard to the new book, it is hard to answer that question fully until November when we have it in hand. Though I anticipate the changes will not be terribly evident when observed from the pews. Regarding how the process has changed since Beacons has formed us into a Family of Parishes, I also can't perfectly answer that because I don't have an exhaustive knowledge of how every parish handled things, but here is what we are doing now.
Anyone 7 or older who wishes to get baptized, become Catholic, or an adult who wishes to finish his or her sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion) inquires through our clergy, parish office, or directly to me. He or she becomes an inquirer.
As an inquirer, we investigate if the person is unbaptized, baptized as a non-Catholic, or baptized as a Catholic
Then we explore what extenuating circumstances exist, is there anything that needs resolution, and how well formed is this person in the Christian faith already.
One who is unbaptized is invited to consider the Rite of Acceptance (September 15, January 26, or June 15) at whichever parish the pastor is presiding. He or she would become a catechumen. A catechumen would participate in Commissioned in Christ or a fitting substitute. When ready, he or she would be sent from his or her home parish to the Rite of Election (February 9). His or her home parish will celebrate the Scrutinies. Finally, he or she would be baptized, confirmed, and receive First Holy Communion at Easter Vigil which is at Mary, Help of Christians in 2025.
One who is baptized is considered a candidate for full communion. He or she would be offered different tracks depending on elements that need resolution, degree of formation, and readiness to profess the Catholic faith. After formation and communal discernment, a candidate will make his or her first Confession and then enter Full Communion, receive Confirmation, and First Holy Communion on one of the following dates:
All Saints' Day
Baptism of the Lord
Pentecost
Assumption
The above process is very similar for a Catholic seeking Confirmation.
Are the classes changing? Yes and no. No, because they are still sharing the fundamentals of the faith. Yes they are changing because we have tweaked the flow of them some and reworked the schedule. We also have subdivided the curriculum into mini-series that people can join as they find the time or interest. That was done in part because of the most significant change we have made. All of the instructional sessions are open to everyone, however, after fellowship and prayer, the catechumens (unbaptized) will have their own time in instruction and the baptized will stay together for their own instruction and conversation. So, if you have ever thought, "I want to go through RCIA as a Catholic." Well, you can't because RCIA is the rites by which someone becomes Catholic, but you can go through the same instruction to gain a firm grasp on the fundamentals of our faith! That instruction is being called "Commissioned in Christ". If would like to attend, please go here: Commissioned in Christ:Christian Initiation For Adults & Instruction for Catholics Here you can view the Series list for Commissioned in Christ.
How does RCIA relate to Commissioned in Christ? "Commissioned in Christ" is the only faith formation opportunity in the Family of Parishes with the explicit purpose of helping a non-Catholic understand what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church. As such, it is the primary, but not the only, avenue for non-Catholics to receive instruction as they discern their next steps in Initiation. It is not RCIA or OCIA because that process is so much larger than a series of prayerful & instructional sessions -- no matter how well crafted they are. RCIA is a work of the entire parish.
How can someone help with RCIA? What if I don't want to teach? If I tried to offer an exhaustive list of how someone can help with RCIA it would take a long time! Let's reduce it to six formal ways and then we'll give a nod to five informal ways.
Formal Ways:
Catechist - We were all thinking about it so I'll just put it out there now. You could help with instruction. This is not for everyone, but if you are gifted in this way, we would love to have you.
Core Team - Do you grasp the work of this ministry and want to help oversee one of its many facets?
Mass Buddy - Imagine never having gone to Mass before in your life, then walking in not knowing anyone, not knowing what to do, and having everyone around you assume that you wouldn't be there unless you knew what you were doing. Now imagine, you know someone who will meet you at the church doors, sit with you during Mass, and help you follow along. That's it. Just someone to show you around the house of the Lord. You can do that! Please let me know if you want to be on my list as well as when and where you go to Mass so that I can share your name with my inquirers from your parish.
Hospitality - Food, drink, a welcome face, excitement at someone's presence and an awareness that someone is in an unfamiliar space are things that we always need help with.
Accompaniment - Before someone chooses to start this process they ought to know that being Catholic is about knowing, listening to, and serving Jesus Christ. Classes can tell them that, but can you show them? Would you be interested in meeting with an inquirer to listen, pray, read scripture, and share your witness?
Prayer - I have saved the best for last. We need prayer. Prayer for our initiates, prayer for our team, prayer for our clergy, and prayer for those who don't yet know Christ and His Church. Would you like to be regularly given prayer intentions associated with this ministry?
Informal Ways:
Evangelization - If we aren't sharing the Gospel it will be the best kept secret that we actually have it.
Catechesis - You can't teach what you don't know.
Sacramental Life - To prioritize the sacramental life bears great fruit in our lives! It is also likely to spark conversations that can lead to evangelization which is done confidently because of your catechesis.
Hospitality - Do we make it easy or difficult for newcomers to want to join us?
Prayer - Any prayer for the holiness of our clergy, staff, families, parishioners, etc. helps us to bear witness and give glory to the Father.
If any of those were of interest to you, please visit here: Support