RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
“Through baptism . . .we were buried with him, so, as Christ was raised, we might live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)
About the Ministry
Sacraments of Initiation
We call Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist the initiation sacraments because they are the foundation of Christian life. These three sacraments are received in a single celebration at the Easter Vigil.
Baptism. Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are immersed into the dying and rising of Christ and all of our sins are forgiven. We become adopted children of God, and share in the mission of Christ and the Church.
Confirmation. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are conformed more closely to Christ, and are more perfectly bound to the Church so that we may bear witness to him in the world.
Eucharist. Having been claimed by Christ in Baptism and sealed with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, the Eucharist completes our Christian initiation and joins us more profoundly with Christ.
Year-Round Catechumenate
At St. Bartholomew, the Catechumenate is a year-round process that people can begin at any time. It is a four-stage ritual process for calling adults to a conversion of mind and heart. The Catechumenate is a gradual process, and the stages parallel the spiritual growth of the candidate. Since completion of the process is a function of spiritual development, there is no set timeframe. While each candidate’s journey is a unique experience, the already-baptized often participate in the process differently.
Christian initiation is a gradual process . . . “suited to the spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place” (RCIA 4, 5).
Adult Confirmation
Sacramental preparation for adults who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation occurs outside the R.C.I.A.
Contact the R.C.I.A. Coordinator to pre-register for this separate program.
Initiation Ministry - Could you be a catechist or a sponsor?
A catechist is someone who responds to the call to share their own faith; to echo the Word in one’s own life by showing others the Way of Christ. Those others see in the catechist the faith, hope and charity or love that they are seeking.
A sponsor is a model of the Christian way of life for someone who wants to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Sponsors are companions who journey with their candidate guiding them along the path, as a representative of the Christian community.
Interested in learning more about Initiation ministry? Contact the R.C.I.A. Coordinator.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The process for becoming Catholic occurs within the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or R.C.I.A. It is a journey of faith where people are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). The R.C.I.A. process is for unbaptized or baptized adults. It is an “apprenticeship” to the Christian way of life, where adults are formed by the Word of God, liturgy and prayer, community, and witness.
For an interview or information contact the R.C.I.A. Coordinator, Kathleen Flood at 562-434-3163.
We call Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist the initiation sacraments because they are the foundation of Christian life. These three sacraments are received in a single celebration at the Easter Vigil.
Baptism. Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are immersed into the dying and rising of Christ and all of our sins are forgiven. We become adopted children of God, and share in the mission of Christ and the Church.
Confirmation. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are conformed more closely to Christ, and are more perfectly bound to the Church so that we may bear witness to him in the world.
Eucharist. Having been claimed by Christ in Baptism and sealed with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, the Eucharist completes our Christian initiation and joins us more profoundly with Christ.
Year-Round Catechumenate
At St. Bartholomew, the Catechumenate is a year-round process that people can begin at any time. It is a four-stage ritual process for calling adults to a conversion of mind and heart. The Catechumenate is a gradual process, and the stages parallel the spiritual growth of the candidate. Since completion of the process is a function of spiritual development, there is no set timeframe. While each candidate’s journey is a unique experience, the already-baptized often participate in the process differently.
Christian initiation is a gradual process . . . “suited to the spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place” (RCIA 4, 5).
Adult Confirmation
Sacramental preparation for adults who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation occurs outside the R.C.I.A.
Contact the R.C.I.A. Coordinator to pre-register for this separate program.
Initiation Ministry - Could you be a catechist or a sponsor?
A catechist is someone who responds to the call to share their own faith; to echo the Word in one’s own life by showing others the Way of Christ. Those others see in the catechist the faith, hope and charity or love that they are seeking.
A sponsor is a model of the Christian way of life for someone who wants to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Sponsors are companions who journey with their candidate guiding them along the path, as a representative of the Christian community.
Interested in learning more about Initiation ministry? Contact the R.C.I.A. Coordinator.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The process for becoming Catholic occurs within the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or R.C.I.A. It is a journey of faith where people are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). The R.C.I.A. process is for unbaptized or baptized adults. It is an “apprenticeship” to the Christian way of life, where adults are formed by the Word of God, liturgy and prayer, community, and witness.
For an interview or information contact the R.C.I.A. Coordinator, Kathleen Flood at 562-434-3163.
When do we meet?
The R.C.I.A. meets weekly every Sunday at the 11:00am Mass, which is followed by an extended catechetical session.