New Wine into Old Wineskins
What is RCIA?
RCIA, also known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, is an opportunity
for both baptized and unbaptized adults over the age of 18 to enter fully into communion
with the Catholic Church. RCIC, also know as the Rite of Christian Initiation for
Adults as adapted for children, is an opportunity for unbaptized children over the
age of 7 to enter fully into communion with the Catholic Church. Also children, who
have been baptized, but have not been attending religious education or Catholic School
and did not receive First Holy Communion through regular faith formation classes can
enter into full communion through the RCIC, These adults and children are provided
with pastoral formation by a team of trained catechists and sponsors to help them
intimately understand the joys of living the Christian life. The classes are on going
and can be started at any time.
Preparing for the sacrament at St. Peter's
The parishes of St. Peter's and St. Mark's offer a joint RCIA/RCIC program, utilizing team
members and catechists to provide a comprehensive, weekly series of classes that help adults
and children to be formed in the Catholic tradition. These classes are designed to increase
the faith lives of those who are ready to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation
and Eucharist in order to be more fully joined to the Church. For those who have already
been baptized, this process brings them more fully into the Church through the sacraments
of reconciliation, confirmation and Eucharist. After a significant period of preparation
the reception of the sacraments occurs at the Easter Vigil.
In this age of the Blackberry's, road rage, peer pressure and monthly bills, the demands
of our secular lives place a heavy burden on our growing, but nascent faith life in Christ
as catechumens and candidates in the Church. Through RCIA/RCIC, catechumens and candidates
become more capable of assuming the apostolic commandments of Christian life and how best
to integrate that life alongside the demands we face each and every day as disciples of Christ.
Below is a list of the full requirements for an adult to begin the RCIA process at
St. Peter's. An adult must:
- Be over the age of 18 years or older
- Be willing to attend weekly, regular Mass
- Attend all required preparatory RCIA classes
Below is a list of the full requirements for an child to begin the
RCIC process at St. Peters. A child must:
- Be unbaptized
- Be of the age of reason usually age 7 or older by Easter
- Be willing to attend weekly, regular Mass
- Attend all required preparatory RCIC classes
A child who needs to make up sacraments must:
- Be baptized
- Uncatechized- not having attended religious education classes or Catholic
school for at least one year prior to requesting sacraments
- Be 7 or older
- Be willing to attend weekly, regular Mass
- Attend all required preparatory RCIC classes
Receiving the sacraments at St. Peter's
In being received into the Church or entering into full communion with the
Church, adults and children undergoing the RCIA/RCIC Catechumenate process become
role models of charity, love and service to the Church. To emphasize the importance
of these sacraments of initiation and reception, catechumens are received into the
Church during the Easter Vigil, the high point of liturgical year. Our pastor,
Fr. Richard Rossman, administers the sacraments during this liturgy as the whole of
our parish communities celebrates in new life being placed before us.
To register yourself, spouse or for more information about our other sacramental
preparatory programs, contact our Office of Faith Formation.
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