BECOMING CATHOLIC

On a regular basis Peter Barbernitz hosts gatherings for new and already-interested Inquirers. These are very informal gathering to look at various aspects of our Catholic faith for those who aren’t ready (and may not ever be ready) to transition into the church.  Give Peter a call at 410 964-1430 if you are interested in coming!  Or send an email to Peter at pbarbernitz@sjerc.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.

We meet on Sunday mornings at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center from 9:00am to noon.  We will begin our next group on Sunday Sept. 16, 2007 and the program will run until Sunday May 4, 2008.

Here is our projected schedule for this coming year - subject to change!

Sunday Sept. 16 – WELCOME TO RCIA / OVERVIEW

Sunday Sept. 23 –   Who is God?   Where do we look for him?   

Sunday Sept. 30 –  Who is Jesus?  Images from the gospels. 

 Sunday Oct. 7 –     How Catholics approach Scripture.  Basics of the Bible.  Bible timeline. 

Sunday Oct. 14 –     RITE OF ACCEPTANCE AND WELCOME   Assignment of sponsors. The four Gospels.  

Sunday Oct. 21 –    Key People, Places and Events in the Bible  

Sunday Oct. 28 –    Scripture AND Tradition  

Sunday Nov. 4 –     What Catholics believe about Saints and Mary  

Sunday Nov. 11 –    The History of the Church. Church history timeline.

 Sunday Nov. 18 –    The Liturgical Calendar, Liturgical questions and issues  

Sunday Nov. 25 –     NO SESSION, THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

 Sunday Dec. 2 –       Sacraments, Symbols and rituals. 

Sunday Dec. 9 –      Sacraments of baptism and confirmation

Sunday Dec. 16 –    Sacraments of Healing Overview 

Sunday Dec. 23 –    Sacraments of Commitment Overview  

Sunday Dec. 30 –     NO SESSION, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS BREAK

 Sunday Jan. 6 –       Theology of the Eucharist - Peter

 Sunday Jan. 13 –     Parts and prayers of the mass

Sunday Jan. 20 -      Developing an adult conscience.  What is sin?

Sunday Jan. 27 –     Sacrament of Reconciliation  

Sunday Feb. 3 –      Sacrament of Marriage, family life and divorce  

Tuesday Feb. 5 -     (optional)  Pancake Supper  OM  6:00

 Wednesday Feb. 6 -  (optional) Ash Wednesday Service  WL 7:30pm

Saturday Feb. 9 -    Retreat 9:30 to 3:00 at Shrine of St. Anthony

                               12290 Folly Quarter Road   Ellicott City  MD  21042     410 531-2800

Sunday Feb. 10 –   NO SESSION,  RITE OF SENDING at the 9:00 mass AND

                               RITE OF ELECTION at Cathedral 3:00

 Sunday Feb. 17 –    PRESENTATION OF THE CREED   Catholic Prayers and devotions / rosary  

Sunday Feb. 24 –     First Scrutiny, Reflections on Woman at the Well  

Sunday March 2 –    Second Scrutiny, Reflections on Man Born Blind

Wednesday March 5 – Small reconciliation service – RCIA and ReMembering

 Sunday March 9 –     Third Scrutiny, Reflections on Lazarus Raised from the Dead  

HOLY WEEK

Sunday March 16 –      (Palm Sunday), Reflections on the story of the Passion

Monday March 17 -     Chrism mass at Cathedral (optional)

Wednesday March 19 – Rehearsal for Vigil for sponsors

Thursday March 20 -    Holy Thursday mass at 7:30 pm

Friday March 21 -        Good Friday service at 7:30 pm

Saturday March 22 -    Preparation Rites 10:00am (gather at 9:00 WL)

                                    Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm (return by 6:45pm)

 Sunday March 23 – NO SESSION, EASTER SUNDAY

Tuesday March 25 -  Potluck for all, including families and children 6:30 pm

Sunday March 30 – NO SESSION (POTLUCK DURING THE PREVIOUS WEEK)

 Sunday April 6 –     Catholic Social Teaching - Foundational principles (10) and assumptions.

Sunday April 13 –    Living a good life

Sunday April 20 –    Getting involved at St. John’s – Ministries and programs.

 Sunday April 27 –   How the parish, diocese, and universal church is organized 

Sunday May 4 –     Church Councils and Vatican II    CLOSING PICNIC / PARTY after session

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 9:00 Mass at Wilde Lake together. Generally, they will be sitting in reserved seats in the center 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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