RICA / OCIA
For all of those interested in joining us for classes to prepare for the reception of Sacraments at next year’s Easter Vigil, we would like to invite you to our RCIA Meet & Greet.
This year we have 2 dates scheduled to make it easier for those who may be on vacation during one of those times: Sundays July 21st (for English classes) and August 11th (for both English classes and Spanish classes).
The Meet & Greet will meet after the Sunday 12:30pm Masses in Mercy Hall. Please complete and turn in the RCIA Registration Form to be added to our mailing list:
2024-2025 RCIA Registration Form - just download, complete all areas of the form and return to the Religious Ed Office. We will send out emails prior to the kickoff with reminders.
Our classes for Adult RCIA will begin meeting on Mondays (7pm to 8:30pm). Our children's RCIC classes are held on Sunday mornings starting August 18th (registrations began late April - see our Religious Ed for children page for registration information and forms). Please call the Parish Office for more information.
If you would like information about the Roman Catholic faith,
please visit the Diocesan website at https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/Becoming-Catholic/
or visit our webpage: https://sje1.org/faith-formation/opportunities-online-learning
RICA (Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos)
Esta clase es para adultos que están interesados en hacerse católicos. También es para aquellos que fueron bautizados como católicos de niños, pero no han recibido los sacramentos de la Primera Comunión y/o la Confirmación.
Si ya ha recibido todos los sacramentos, ¡está invitado a venir a aprender más sobre nuestra fe católica!
Las clases se ofrecen los lunes por la noche de 7:00-8:15 PM en la escuela.
Contacte a P. Nicolas para más información: [email protected] o (540) 347-2922 extensión 212.
Para todos aquellos interesados en unirse a nosotros para las clases de preparación para la recepción de los Sacramentos en la Vigilia Pascual del próximo año, nos gustaría invitarlos a nuestro Meet & Greet de RICA.
Este año tenemos 2 fechas programadas para ponérselo más fácil a quienes puedan estar de vacaciones en uno de esos horarios: domingo 21 de julio (para clases de inglés) y 11 de agosto (tanto para clases de inglés como para clases de español).
El Meet & Greet se reunirá después de las misas del domingo a las 12:30 p. m. en Mercy Hall. Complete y entregue el formulario de registro de RICA para agregarlo a nuestra lista de correo:
Formulario de inscripción de RICA 2024-2025 (en español): simplemente descárguelo, complete todas las áreas del formulario y devuélvalo a la Oficina de Educación Religiosa.Enviaremos correos electrónicos antes del inicio con recordatorios.
Nuestras clases para Adultos RICA comenzarán a reunirse los lunes (de 7 p. m. a 8:30 p. m.). Las clases RCIC para niños se llevan a cabo los domingos por la mañana a partir del 18 de agosto (las inscripciones comenzaron a finales de abril; consulte nuestra página de Educación religiosa para niños para obtener información y formularios de inscripción).Por favor llame a la Oficina Parroquial para obtener más información.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20
Today, the Catholic Church continues this mission and invites everyone to “come and see.” (John 1:46) The ordinary way that most people become Catholic is through a process that is a modern adaptation of the ancient method of the first centuries of the Church. This process is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, abbreviated as "R.C.I.A."
Becoming a Christian in the first centuries involved a sharp break with the surrounding Roman culture. New Catholics entered into a way of living which demanded deep commitment and often risked their lives to become Christian. In the modern world, our faith also demands deep commitment because our beliefs and the values of our society often conflict.
RCIA involves several stages which together help someone move from an initial motivation to deeper relationship with Jesus and his Church. The high point of this process is the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist) which are ordinarily received by adults at the Easter Vigil Mass.
The Catholic Church honors baptism as a sacrament that may be validly received even in Christian communities and traditions that are not Catholic. Therefore, we never re-baptize those who have already received a valid baptism. Those who have already been baptized are prepared to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion at the time of their reception.
Inquiry
The Church understands that people approach the Catholic Church for a variety of reasons. That is why the RCIA process begins with what is typically called Inquiry, a time to learn basic teachings of Catholicism, find answers to questions, and begin to experience the community life of their parish church. For the unbaptized who are ready to make a formal commitment to learning the faith and preparing for the sacraments, the Rite of Acceptance is celebrated (a similar ceremony called the Rite of Welcoming is for the baptized).
Catechumenate
The next period is called the Catechumenate and is a time of learning and more intense preparation for Catholic life. Corresponding with the season of Lent, the unbaptized enter into a period called Purification and Enlightenment by participating in the Rite of Election with their bishop (a similar ceremony, the Call to Continuing Conversion is for the baptized).
Initiation
This culminates in the Easter reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. Those who were previously baptized sometimes are received into the Church at this time and may also be admitted into the Church at another time of the year according to their readiness.
Ongoing Formation
Following initiation, new Catholics go through the period of Mystagogy which normally coincides with Lent. This is a time to deepen understanding and participation in the sacraments.
The message delivered by the angels to the shepherds who kept their flocks near Bethlehem echoes to this day:
Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11