The RCIA is the journey of faith to full communion with the Catholic Church. Participants begin the day by gathering at the 8:30 am Mass followed by the RCIA session at 9:30 am till 11:00 am. Our gatherings are held in the St. John Bosco Center. Starting in September, we meet regularly on Sundays throughout the year until Pentecost. There are events scheduled on others days of the week such as retreats and the parish mission which we ask participants to attend. You can call for information throughout the year by contacting 6eb6aabbb88384a968b0baadae856ab5a9b1b4bcb782b3a9baadb688adbbb8b1bab1bcbdbba9b6bcb776abab6a68bca9baafadbc856aa7aab4a9b6b36a8693a9baadb66890ada9b8b0c18477a98668a9bc68bcb0ad688bb0bdbaabb068b7aeaeb1abad826eb6aabbb8837f7a7f757f7a7e757c7c807f68c07b797876DE08iGkDoa5rDdwzUKmmqpM4k0gzWVyjcaesar This page part is protected against spam bots and web crawlers. In order to be displayed you need to enable Javascript in your browser, and then reload the page.

RCIA is a journey of faith that assists adults in discovering the presence of Jesus in their lives. It is a conversion of heart and mind that leads to full communion with the Catholic Church. This occurs through the prayers and support of the faith community of Espiritu Santo. Parish members as volunteers share their faith and gifts with those attending. Sponsors assist the candidates through the formal part of the process and to assist in the many special events that are a part of the RCIA process. Candidates choose a sponsor who will attend all meetings and special events.

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.

If you would like to register, or for more information, please call e32b1f302df8f91edd252f2223fadf2a1e2629312cf7281e2f222bfd22302d262f263132301e2b312ceb2020dffb081e2f222bdd05221e2d2536f9ec1efbe9ddf4eff4ebf4eff3ebf5f1f4f4dd35f0eeedqNq98czyy3izjhVEfEzd5Psi3vtooH9dcaesar This page part is protected against spam bots and web crawlers. In order to be displayed you need to enable Javascript in your browser, and then reload the page.