Saint Frances Cabrini Parish

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Contact Information
Ellen Cavanaugh: 724-775-6363

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which interested persons gradually become members of the Catholic Church. It is a journey of faith in which candidates look at their own relationship with God. As the newcomers discover Christ, their enthusiasm can help transform the whole parish.
Is something missing in your life? Is there an emptiness you cannot explain? Pope John Paul II said often: "Open wide your heart to Jesus Christ." Know that Jesus Christ can fill the void. Think about finding Him in the Catholic Church, the Church Jesus Himself founded 2,000 years ago.
The first thing you need to know is that Catholicism is a way of life. Becoming Catholic is a journey in faith. The Catholic Church has a process for bringing, or initiating adults and school age children into the Catholic Church.
During the faith journey you will not only learn about the Catholic faith; you will join with other Catholics in prayer and worship, in service and mission, and in talking about the meaning of faith in life. This process lasts two years.
The RCIA Team are members of St. Frances Cabrini Parish who will assist and guide you on your journey. We do not promise to give you all the answers to your questions about God and church, rather we offer you support in your search for a deeper relationship with God, lived out through the Catholic Church. Our parish community hopes to share the life of faith that involves a relationship with God and community, prayer and service, struggles and joys.
Together with you our parish community begins a new moment of walking this journey of faith. As you begin your process, listen to God, to the Scriptures, to yourself, to the community, and to the many aspects of Catholic tradition you will experience. The St. Frances Cabrini Parish Community will support you on your journey.
The R.C.I.A. contains five main stages or phases:
The Period of Inquiry
Come and See! Inquiry is time to become acquainted with the Catholic Church and a time to hear the good news of salvation from Jesus Christ our Savior.
Come and See! Look into your own life story and see connections to or needs for the gospel story of good news.
Period of the Catechumenate
The catechumens now gather with the Catholic community on Sundays for the first part of the Mass, during which, together, we hear the Scriptures, respond to them, and reflect on the meaning of God's Word for us personally and as community through the homily. After the homily, catechumens are dismissed , and with their Catechist, continue a process of reflection and application of the Scriptures to their own lives.
During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated; the person comes to know more and more deeply the love of God in their own lives and in the midst of the church community.
Period of Purification or Illumination
The Period of Purification corresponds to that time known in the Catholic Church as Lent, the six-weeks of preparation for Easter become the days of prayerful time for catechumens and candidates, who are now known as the Elect, as they prepare for the moment of welcome as full members and are established as such by the Sacraments of Initiation.
This period is begun by the Rite of Election, usually celebrated at the Cathedral Church with the Diocesan Bishop; by this rite they are accepted as candidates for the Sacraments by the Bishop, representing the fact that this decision is not theirs alone. Normally this rite takes place on the first Sunday of Lent.
Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at the Sunday Eucharist for the catechumens and candidates; they are called scrutinies; these prayers for strengthening in grace and virtue and for purification from all past evil and from any bonds which hinder them from experiencing the love of God. Throughout this period, the Elect are invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of works of charity and in the practice of fasting.
Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation
The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night-watch of prayer, singing and hearing the Word of God.
By the waters of Baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ.
Anointing with special holy oil called chrism seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit and participation at the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist marks full membership in the church.
Period of Mystagogy
The Period of Mystagogy begins the second year of formation and completes the initiation process. Those who have just shared in the sacraments of initiation are now called Neophytes and, during this period, they actively serve their faith community in one or more of its ministries. They now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This period of time reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together.
How long does it take?
The Rite of Christian Initiation is not a program. It is the church's way of ministering sensitively to those who seek membership. For that reason some people will need more time than others to prepare for the lifetime commitment that comes with membership in the Catholic Church. The usual length of preparation is from one to two years (one attending class sessions and one serving the ministry). For those already baptized and who seek full communion in the Catholic Church, the time may also vary.
It seems reasonable that catechumens or candidates experience the yearly calendar of Catholic practice at least one time around in order to make an informed decision.
The process of spiritual renewal and catechesis should not be hasty, especially for those not accustomed to the fasts and feasts and Sundays and seasons the way Catholics observe them.
Children's Catechumenate
Modeled after the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), the Children's Catechumenate at St. Frances Cabrini is designed for those children new to the Catholic religion and children who need to complete sacramental preparation outside the normal time frames.
Children are integrated into the regular religious education program for a period of at least two years.
Parents are given an age appropriate resource to review with the child during summer months.
A sponsor family will meet with the parents and teens every four to six months to provide support and encouragement.
Arrangements will be made to accommodate the needs of each individual family for the times of sacramental celebration.
What is the first step?
Any person who is seriously thinking about become a Catholic-Christian or who would simply like more information can contact Fr. Joseph Kleppner or Ellen Cavanaugh at (724) 775-6363.

A New Group will be forming at the end of September
to prepare for Initiation during Easter 2007.
Please come and join us.

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A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

115 Trinity Drive
Center Twp., Aliquippa, PA 15001 724-775-6363 Phone
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