RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
Each year men and women embark on an exploration of the Catholic faith. Some are deciding if they are called into the Catholic Church; others have been Catholic all their lives and are now interested in discovering what this really means. Together we witness to the fact that our search for God is a lifelong journey, a journey on which we make the most progress when we walk it with others and with intention.
RCIA is a process that assists adults in discerning a decision to become full members of the Catholic Church. The RCIA also assists Catholic adults in completing their sacraments of initiation. The RCIA also provides Catholic adults an opportunity to learn more about their faith and to help others with the decision to become a member of the Church.
RCIA provides an adult learning process in a community setting. Members meet weekly to explore the central tenets of the Catholic Church. This year's class begins on Sunday morning, September 13, 2009 and meets from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon in Clare Hall.
Our members will be taking the first step in the RCIA process as they participate in the Rite of Acceptance/Rite of Welcoming at the 12:00 Noon Mass on Sunday, November 22, 2009. The rite offers RCIA members the opportunity to express, and for the Church to accept, their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ. Please join us at the 12:00 Noon Mass on November 22, 2009 as we accept and welcome our RCIA members as they formally begin their faith journey in the RCIA process.
RITE OF SENDING
Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the 10:00 am liturgy, RCIA catechumens, candidates and sponsors will be participating in the Rite of Sending. At the conclusion of a period of catechesis, or teaching, catechumens and candidates formally declare 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 their RCIA members and to send them to the Bishop in celebration of election and recognition with assurances of the local parish’s care and support.
RITE OF ELECTION/CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION
RCIA members from throughout the diocese will gather before the Bishop at the Rite of Election. Within the Rite of Election the bishop declares, in the presence of the community, the Church’s approval of the candidates’ and catechumens’ choice to enter as full members of the Catholic Church. This celebration, which coincides with the beginning of Lent, also marks the period of final, more intense preparation for our candidates and catechumens (now formally known as “the Elect”) as they prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation at this year’s Easter Vigil liturgy. These Elect and candidates will be encouraged by our parish to follow Christ with greater generosity. St. Aloysius RCIA members and sponsors will meet this Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Findlay to celebrate the Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion.
Please
continue to pray for our candidates, catechumens, sponsors and RCIA
team members as they prepare for the Easter Vigil liturgy (Saturday,
April 3, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.):
Catechumens: Those preparing to receive the Sacraments of
Initiation to include Baptism, Holy Communion and
Confirmation:
 |  |
 |
Melinda Grooms
| Betsey van de Heijning | Debbie Ko |
 |  |
| Nikki Miller | Nick Queen |
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:
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Bill Davis | Bonnie Sickles | Brandon Weaver | Gayla Young |
Catholic Adults: Those preparing to complete the
Sacraments
of Initiation including Confirmation and/or Holy
Eucharist:
 |
 |
 |
| Kristi Kaiser | Stephanie Kaiser | Melinda Luken |