BECOMING CATHOLIC

Check out Peter's blog:   www.BecomingACatholicAtSJERC.org

 

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  It is the church's process for bringing adults into the church - both those who have never been baptized as well as those who have been baptized in other denominations.

Team members & sponsors for our 2011/2012 year:

• Peter Barbernitz
• Susan Castellan
• Jack and Ann Breihan
• Raphael Aguon
• Deacon Jim Benjamin

 

Adult Faith Formation / RCIA

This process is intended for true catechumens – those who have never been baptized.  It is sometimes appropriate for those who have been baptized (Catholic or other denominations) if they are not well catechized.  It is also sometimes appropriate for those who have been catechized but who desire to learn about the faith in a small community with others.

 

Runs every Sunday year round. Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Room 13/14  

• Exceptions: no sessions on Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, Sundays between Christmas and New Years, Easter Sunday, or Mother’s Day.
• 10:30 mass with dismissal at 11:00 to continue to “break open the Word”
• 11:30 to 1:00 catechetical session
•  
• Rite of Acceptance – 10:30 mass (all RCIA / community rituals in 2011/2012)
• RCIA retreat at Shrine of St. Anthony
• Rite of Sending and Rite of Election
• Scrutinies – 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Sundays of Lent
• Vigil Rehearsal for sponsors and team members Wed. of Holy Week 7:30
• Preparation Rites at OMI chapel on Easter Saturday
• Easter Sacraments at the Easter Vigil on Saturday April 7, 2012 for those who are ready.

 

 

Other RCIA process components

INQUIRERS: those who seek to find out about becoming a Christian or Catholic but are not yet ready to commit.  Meet from 10:00 to 11:00 in room 13/14 of WL on the first and third Sundays of the month.

 

MYSTAGOGIA: those who have received the sacraments at the Easter Vigil in recent years renew their energy, renew their relationships with one another, and continue to learn about their Catholic faith.  Meet from 10:00 to 11:00 in room 13/14 of WL on the second Sunday of the month.

 

  

Joe Boys, accompanied by his sponsor Sandy, signing the Book of the Elect.

Below, Mike Mondy does the same.

 

RCIA Graduates Share Stories
Gerald:
I’d like to share with you how I got started in RCIA and some of what I experienced during last year’s class. For many years I had wanted to become a Catholic, but for various reasons never took action to follow through. About 20 years ago I was at the funeral for my uncle, who was a Baltimore City firefighter and lost his life in the line of duty. As you can imagine it was a very large funeral with fire departments from all over the East Coast, but what left the biggest impression on me was what the priest said that day. He said that my uncle as a child had asked the Church for everlasting life. I thought at that very moment this is what I want too. I want my soul, my spirit to live forever once my body in this form is dead. I respected my uncle; he was my friend and I thought I might like the Catholic Church although I was raised in a Baptist family. Last year I finally took action and came to the RCIA reception. After attending church at St. John’s the past five years with my wife, I knew I wanted to be a part of this community. At the reception, which is a meeting for questions and giving information to those interested in becoming Catholic, we received a schedule with each week’s topics listed. When I saw how much information would be covered I thought there must be a test of some kind before you were officially Catholic. I immediately stuck my foot in my mouth and asked Pat Barbernitz, our RCIA leader, and Father Tillman, "Is this a pass/fail course?" I’m convinced that they both thought this will be a challenging, interesting group. RCIA was a wonderful experience. It was the beginning of a new spiritual journey to have a deeper relationship with God and understand the awesome responsibility to live life as a Christian and to live a good Catholic life. I accepted this responsibility of living a Christian life with the gifts I received through baptism at the Easter vigil. In that moment of baptism, when I entered the pool and Father Tillman poured the water over my head, I had to catch my breath and I could feel the physical presence of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit enter me. I had a great sponsor, my wife, Mary Jane. Our group leaders were patient, listened, answered our questions and were enthusiastic in their teaching. We developed new friendships that will last eternally. Finally there is no pressure and no obligation to try RCIA, but I will guarantee that if you make the decision to try it you will have a positive life changing experience.

Dave:
Last year I wasn’t sure what step to take next. I decided to give RCIA a try. From the first informal reception, I felt welcomed. I met men and women who, like myself, were seeking a spiritual home in the Catholic Church—we had a nervous look to us. At that first meeting, I also met men and women who were there to help us in that journey. As that short meeting ended and we gathered around the coffee and doughnuts, I began to make some of the best friends: friends who were central to a wonderful nine-month journey. My nervousness just melted away. We met each Sunday morning, learning about the church, discussing that day’s Mass, often laughing, and sometimes crying. We faced family crises—death in the family, struggles of separation, sick babies, arid we also shared family celebrations—a marriage, the birth of a child. One member even passed her medical board exams! When I joined RCA, I expected to learn about God, the Church, and the Bible. I expected to study, to pray, and to grow spiritually. I had no idea, however, how much my faith would become intertwined with the relationships that grew during that time. You know, I never felt pressure or obligation during RCIA (well, except for the Sunday when it was my turn to bring the doughnuts). Only near the end, as our confirmation approached, were any of us asked if we thought the Catholic Church was for us. RCIA was a wonderful experience that continues to inspire me. If you are interested in learning more about this Church, I encourage you to give RCIA a try.

Ronni:
I recently became a member of the Catholic Church after going through the RCIA process. My husband, is Catholic, but it was my own decision to become Catholic. I made the decision to become Catholic back in 1999 after many years of discussing the Catholic Church with my husband’s mother. We had our marriage blessed and our two children baptized on the same day in September of 1999. I had been attending some RCIA meetings at that time; then we found out we would be moving to Germany. After four years in Germany and attending Masses, I knew that I was sure about becoming a member of the Catholic Church. We moved to Maryland last year, and found St. John’s Parish to be the place we call our Church home. I decided that it was time to join the RCIA again and begin my journey. Then, on the wonderful night of this past Easter Vigil, I was baptized and confirmed. That was not the only celebration for our family though; our daughter received her first communion that night as well. I was surprised to find that we were all unique as individuals in RCIA, but we all had the same desire: To begin a new relationship with Christ. RCIA is place to begin the process of becoming Catholic, but in the beginning it is also the place to ask questions and get answers. It is not a place where judgments are made or tests given. The commitment comes after months of learning and knowing in your heart that this is where you want to be. No one makes the choice for you; it is between you and God. RCIA involves many people and out of that comes many friendships. If anyone is interested in becoming Catholic, this is the place to begin that journey. But, if anyone just wants to know more about the Catholic Church, RCIA will be a place to get answers. There is no obligation, so do not feel pressured.
 

Kevin McDonough was already baptized as a Catholic but went through RCIA so that he could receive Confirmation and Eucharist.

How the Community Helps RCIA Members
This year, the people involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at St. John’s will be attending 10:30 Mass at Wilde Lake together. Generally, they will be sitting in reserved seats in the front row on the right of our worship space each week, and will be dismissed after the homily. One of the most important parts of RCIA is the action of the community in helping new members. These catechumens and candidates will be learning the following important lessons about how to be Catholic from you:

• How do Catholics participate in liturgy?
• Is community important for Catholics?
• How do Catholics feel about welcoming new members?
• How important is the Mass?

What You Can Do

• Smile and greet the catechumens and candidates before Mass as they take their special places.
• Remember the faces of the catechumens and candidates, and speak with them wherever you might meet them.
• Try to learn their names.
• Participate at liturgy in a lively manner, providing a good example for them.
• Include them in your prayers, especially as you continue with the liturgy of the Eucharist and they are dismissed for formation

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