RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
Please continue to pray for those in the RCIA process (our
catechumen, candidates and sponsors) as they continue their faith
journeys. The following RCIA members are preparing
to enter into full communion of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil
liturgy (April 11, 2009):
Catechumens: Those preparing to receive the Sacraments of
Initiation to include Baptism, Holy Communion and
Confirmation:
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| Mark Foster | Susan Obringer |
Candidates: Those baptized in another Christian faith to be received into full communion of the Catholic Church, preparing to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and/or Confirmation:
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| Ashley Ansley | Doug Boersma | George Carver | Victoria Carver |
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| Ryan Gurney | Lee Anna Houtz | Sue Ann Houtz | Jody Miller |
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| Rachelle Miller | Kim Sader | Emily Ryan | Kelly Wagner |
Catholic Adults: Those preparing to complete the Sacraments of Initiation including Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist:
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| Jorge Chavez | Cris Destatte | Joseph Fawcett | Erica Gurney |
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| Kelly Selders | Elissa Zachary | Matthew Zachary |
On the First Sunday of Lent (March 1, 2009) at the 10:00am
liturgy,
RCIA members participated in the Rite of Sending/Call to
Continuing Conversion. Catechumens and candidates formally
declared their intent to join in full membership of the Catholic
Church. This rite offers the local Church community the
opportunity to express its approval of the RCIA members and to send
them forth to the celebration of election assured of the local parish’s
care and support.
At the Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion, also scheduled
on the First Sunday of Lent, (3:00pm, at St. Michael the Archangel
parish in Findlay), our parish RCIA members, as well as other RCIA
members throughout the diocese, gathered before the
bishop. Within the Rite of Election, the bishop
declares, in the presence of the community, the Church’s approval of
the catechumens’ and candidates’ choice to enter into full membership
of the Catholic Church. This celebration, which coincides
with the beginning of Lent, also marks the period of final, more
intense preparation for our catechumen (now known as the “elect”), and
candidates who will be encouraged to follow Christ with greater
generosity.
During the Lenten season, the elect will celebrate the scrutinies,
which are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or
sinful in their hearts; to bring out, then strengthen all that is
upright, strong and good in Christ.
The Scrutinies are scheduled for 12:00 noon Masses on the Third, Fourth
and Fifth Sundays of Lent:
First Scrutiny
March 15, 2009
Second Scrutiny March 22, 2009
Third Scrutiny March 29, 2009
An Easter Vigil Breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at 9:00 AM, in Hartmann Hall. This is an annual tradition among the RCIA groups of St. Aloysius and St. Thomas More. Both RCIA groups celebrate time together before the Easter Vigil liturgies. RCIA team members, catechists, sponsors, godparents, family members and pastors are invited.
Mystagogy is the final period of Christian initiation for those received into the Church at Easter. Just as the first few weeks of a baby’s life are the most crucial for the child’s survival, so are the first few weeks after reception into the Church is vital for adult believers. It is a time when they need to be supported and encouraged in their newly-professed faith. It is a time for the Church community and neophytes (newly baptized and received) to grow together.
The RCIA group will meet on Sunday afternoons during the Easter season to share their faith as neophytes. Neophytes, sponsors, catechists and team members are invited to meet in Clare Hall beginning at 1:00pm during the Easter Season, to reflect more on the Catholic Faith. It is a great opportunity to examine ways that we are Church for one another. Sunday afternoon sessions are scheduled for: April 19, May 3 and May 17.
The Neophyte Mass will be at Rosary Cathedral on Sunday, April 26, 2009, at 3:00pm. This Mass is an opportunity for Bishop Blair to welcome new members of the Catholic faith into the Diocese of Toledo. We will meet in the north lot of St. Aloysius (near Ziggy’s) by 1:45pm to carpool to the cathedral. There is assigned seating by parish.
Finally, the Neophyte Commissioning and Member Recognition Ceremony will be held on May 17, 2009, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Clare Hall This is the final formal RCIA community gathering for the 2008-09 process year. Fr. Mark will offer blessings to our neophytes, as well as recognizing our sponsors, godparents, catechists, and team members for their service in preparing those who’ve become new members of the Church. Brunch will be served following the ceremony.