RCIA is a catalyst to assist you in discovering the presence of God in your life. This is not an introduction to a new relationship with a stranger. God has been and always will be there calling you into relationship. RCIA is a process of discovery and conversion. Conversion implies change. The conversion we seek is not to Church but to Jesus Christ. Our goal is to assist you in becoming disciples for Christ. As you journey through the RCIA it is our hope that you will come to see that faith is not taught; it is caught. Our purpose is to enlighten and produce a firm commitment to live the Catholic Christian faith. The RCIA is the journey of faith to full communion with the Catholic Church. We seek the source and summit of our faith: the Holy Eucharist.

Who should attend RCIA?

• Individuals who have never been baptized, and are interested in learning about the Catholic Christian faith and feel called to be baptized, confirmed and receive Eucharist and become members of the Body of Christ.
• Individuals baptized in another Christian denomination who feel called to full communion with the Catholic Christian faith.
• Those baptized as Catholic Christians who never competed the Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and/or Eucharist.

The Faith Journey:

The Rite is divided into four distinct periods. The periods are separated by public rites which serve as thresholds, or decision points, on your journey of faith.

• Inquiry or Pre-Catechumenate – A period of exploring the Candidates’ questions. This is a time of getting to know each other. It is a time where we use the Word of God, God's stories, the stories of the People of God and the stories of the candidates to facilitate their recognition of God's presence in their lives. It is a time of evangelization. As an analogy, it is the period in a developing relationship from the first date through getting to know and respect each other and experiencing that first kiss.
• Rite of Acceptance/Welcoming – Threshold #1 - The candidate has reached a decision point. Have they experienced first faith and initial conversion and intention to change their lives and to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ? An answer in the affirmative gives the candidate the confidence to cross this first threshold and continue their journey. To continue our analogy, I like this person I am dating and I want to learn even more about them or, this relationship is not for me and I need to look elsewhere.
• Catechumenate – That portion of our journey where catechesis, teaching, is firmly rooted in the proclamation of the Word. Catechesis leads the Catechumens and Candidates not only to an appropriate acquaintance with the dogmas and precepts of our Catholic Christian faith but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate. During this time we come to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, more intimately. Once again to continue our analogy, our relationship has grown and we are deeply in love; engagement is on the horizon.
• Rite of Sending/Election – Threshold #2 - We are sent forth by the Espiritu Santo faith community to meet the Bishop at the Cathedral of St. Jude in St. Petersburg. God has called us to relationship; we are the Elect of God. God has chosen you! We are engaged!
• Purification and Enlightenment – This is a time of self examination where we focus on what we are about and how we are to live our lives. It is a period of interior reflection and purification. This part of the faith journey coincides with the Lenten season. The Elect are working to remove impediments in the relationship with God and others.
• Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation – Threshold #3 - Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, the Rites of Initiation, our ultimate goal, are conferred at the Easter Vigil Mass. You are member of the People of God. You are a newlywed, a Neophyte.
• Mystagogy or Postbaptismal Catechesis - The period from Initiation to Pentecost, the Easter season. It is a time for the Neophyte to deepen the Christian experience and for spiritual growth. The Neophyte is introduced more fully into the life and unity of the faith community. Although RCIA ends after Pentecost the journey of faith continues as we are called as Catholic Christians to live out our baptismal promise to be Disciples of Christ.

You are a:

• Inquirer until the Rite of Acceptance
• Catechumen after the Rite of Acceptance if you have not been baptized.
• Candidate after the Rite of Acceptance if you were baptized in another Christian faith tradition or were baptized Catholic and not confirmed and are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.
• The Elect if unbaptized after the Rite of Election. Note: All others continue as Candidates.
• Neophyte after celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.

Sponsors:

Prior to the Rite of Acceptance you must select a sponsor to accompany you on this journey. They are to serve you as your guide and role model in living the Christian faith. The person selected must be a baptized, practicing Catholic Christian. Sponsors are encouraged to attend our catechetical sessions and all Rites discussed above. They do not have to be a member of the Espiritu Santo faith community. If you are new to the area or are unable to find a sponsor the RCIA Team will assist you.

Schedule Summary:

On Monday evenings we gather at 7:00 pm for catechesis and faith sharing. Our gatherings are held at the St. John Bosco Center. We begin our journey on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 7:00 pm. We gather on Sunday mornings after the Liturgy of the Word at the 10:15 am Mass at the Rite of Dismissal to feast further on God's word for Breaking Open the Word which commences on Sunday, October 23, 2011. The Rite of Acceptance/Welcoming is celebrated on November 19, 2011 and the Rite of Sending/Election on February 26, 2012. A Retreat is scheduled for March 24, 2012. The sacraments of initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 7, 2012. The Mystagogy period ends at the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Information/Inquiry Sessions:

Information sessions are held during the summer months at 11:30 am, following the 10:15 am Sunday Mass, at the St. John Bosco Center on June 26, July 24 and August 28, 2011. Join us to learn more about the RCIA process.