R.C.I.A.

Education and formation of adults preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Sponsors are needed to pair with people preparing for reception of the Sacraments.

Purpose of the RCIA Program
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a gradual formation process culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist - at the Easter Vigil. The RCIA is the process through which adults are fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church. The RCIA entails formation in liturgy (worship of God), catechesis (knowledge about the faith) and discipleship (living the model of Jesus Christ in daily life). The conversion of the heart and mind is nurtured by the universal church, the parish, the family, and the sponsor.

Program Overview
The program runs from September to a few weeks past Easter of the following year, with the sacraments being administered at the Easter Vigil Mass. The RCIA program at St. Mark’s generally follows the school calendar (for example, no classes during the breaks, and from mid-December to mid-January).

There are no strings attached regarding “commitments”. It is possible to attend all the classes and be involved in all the discussions without making any formal commitments.

Many people take the classes over a period of many years, then make a commitment (or not!). Cost for the class is minimal to cover the cost of educational materials.
Sessions are held Saturday Mornings from 9:00 – 10:30 AM at St. Mark’s. The sessions typically include a 45 minute talk followed by 45 minutes of small group discussion.

Sacraments of Initiation
BAPTISM: Baptism is the sacrament by which one becomes a member of the Christian community. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes as valid, baptisms performed according to the Trinitarian formula: triple immersion in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Persons previously baptized are not re-baptized.

CONFIRMATION: Confirmation is a sacrament in the initiation process in which “confirmandi” are sealed with the Holy Spirit through anointing with oil.

EUCHARIST: Greek for “thanksgiving,” Eucharist is the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Through the Eucharist, Roman Catholics celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Period of Evangelization and Pre-catechumenate
The following general outline has been prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy. St. Mark’s is a suburban parish serving the students, families and full-time / part-time residents of Oro Valley and neighboring areas.

This unique mission influences the organization and scheduling of the RCIA process.
An inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, and an opportunity to listen and respond to God’s call to faith. People participating in this stage are referred to as “inquirers”.

FIRST STEP: ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORDER OF CATECHUMENS
The liturgical rite celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King marks the beginning of the formal catechumenate, as the candidates and catechumens express their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the way of Christ. The Church community responds to this call and begins a formal nurturing relationship with the catechumens and candidates. Catechumens are those who have not been validly baptized; candidates are those who have been baptized as Christians in another church.

PERIOD OF THE CATECHUMENATE
The systematic nurturing and the growth of the catechumens’ and candidates’ faith and conversion to God.

SECOND STEP: ELECTION OR ENROLLMENT OF NAMES
The Church formally ratifies the catechumens’ and candidates’ readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation during this liturgical rite. For catechumens, these sacraments are baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist; for most candidates, these sacraments are confirmation and Eucharist. Catechumens and candidates are referred to as the “Elect” from this point.

PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
This is the time immediately preceding the Elects’ initiation, usually the Lenten season preceding the Easter Vigil. It is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and the presentations.

The Scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The Scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.

For the Scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

THIRD STEP: CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
This is the liturgical rite, integrated into the Easter Vigil, by which the Elect are fully initiated through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

MYSTAGOGY
This is the time following the Celebration of Initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday eucharistic celebration.

Class Participants
Inquirers - This group consists of the following:

• Unbaptized persons who are interested in becoming Christians as members of the Catholic Church.
• Baptized non-Catholics who desire to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
• Baptized but uncatechized Catholics who desire to complete their initiation in the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.
• Adult Catholics who have been baptized and received first communion are eligible for our Adult Confirmation program.

"Works of love are always works of peace.
Whenever you share with others, you'll notice
the peace that comes to you and to them."
- Mother Teresa

Sponsors - Each inquirer is paired with a sponsor. Sponsors act as Christian models to the inquirers and are not expected to be theology experts. They act as an in-class advocate for the inquirer, and also act as the first point of contact for the inquirer outside the weekly meetings. Sponsors are required to attend all the scheduled classes and participate in the small group discussions.

Acting as a sponsor in the RCIA program is an exceptional opportunity for those Catholics who wish to investigate, or invigorate their faith.

Observers - This group consists of people who are interested in learning about the Catholic faith but who have no plans to receive the Sacraments, or become Catholic. This group also includes Catholics who have been away from the church for some time, and who wish to update their knowledge of the faith.

Please call the Parish Office for the date and time of the next class of inquiry for the R.C.I.A.