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You can contact
the Parish Office
via e-mail at
sjncc@bellsouth.net.
If you would like to comment
or make e-file submissions
for
the
website, you can e-mail
jps4x4@earthlink.net.
SJN staff and volunteers will
attempt to update this site as
often as possible. Please advise
us of any changes that may be
required. Thank you and God Bless.
RCIA is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ whom God has sent for the salvation of all.
“Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.’” John 1:38-39.
The rite of initiation is
suited to a spiritual journey of adults and consists of four continuous periods,
described below.
1. Period
of Inquiry
A time of informal gathering, for asking questions, an opportunity for the beginnings of
faith. There are many ways one comes to
consider joining the Catholic Church, ways unique to each individual. Years of marriage to
a Catholic spouse, conversations with a Catholic friend or coworker, or even something
written or viewed in the media can move an adult toward membership in the Catholic Church.
At some point, the person may contact a Catholic parish and begin to meet with other
adults who are also inquiring about the Catholic faith. These adults, with members of the
RCIA team, will take time to ask questions, tell their own stories and connect them with
the faith stories found in scripture.
2. Period
of Catechumenate
Begins with the Rite of Acceptance into the order of catechumens and comes to an end on
the day of election. The celebration of
the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens allows each individual to express,
and the Church to accept, their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the way
of Christ. This is the first time that the
inquirers publicly declare their faith before the parish community. Because no one likes
to do something like that on their own, each inquirer is accompanied by a sponsor. A
sponsor may be chosen by the individual or provided by the parish. Sponsors provide
support and companionship throughout the RCIA process.
During
this period the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated weekly at mass. A more formal study of scripture and the catholic
church teaching is also continued weekly. The
catechumenate period will vary from person to person, from one year or longer.
3. Period
of Purification and Enlightenment
Follows the Rite of Election. Ordinarily coincides with the Lenten preparation for the Easter celebration and the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist). During the celebration of this rite each individual will be officially called to the sacraments by the bishop or by his
delegate. This Rite of Election is often celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent and marks the end of formal study.The
weeks of Lent are a time of reflection and intense prayer for the newly elect, marked by
celebration of the scrutinies and presentations. The
sponsors continue to accompany the elect in church and support them in their Lenten
preparations.
Paschal
Triduum
Holy
Thursday is a day of preparation: our annual Passover begins that evening. The Essential elements of the Liturgy for that
evening are: Proclamation of the Word; the Ceremony of Foot-washing; the Celebration of
the Eucharist.
Good
Friday liturgy includes a commemoration of Jesus' death that is more than a mere
re-enactment, and calls the faithful to enter into the mystery of Jesus' death. We enter into Jesus' death with the confidence
that we will be raised with Christ.
Holy
Saturday begins in the morning with preparation rites to help the Elect and candidates,
along with their sponsors, to enter into a time of prayer and reflection prior to Easter
Vigil in the evening. On that night we
proclaim and renew our resurrection hope, the Elect culminate their long journey to
initiation in the waters of Baptism -- then, with the candidates, the newly baptized are
sealed with the oil of Confirmation and share the bread and wine of the Eucharist as full
members of the Roman Catholic community.
4. Period
of Mystagogy
For
the newly initiated, now called neophytes, the time between Easter and Pentecost is a
special opportunity to reflect on the commitment which
has been made to the Lord, to the Church, and to the local parish community.
This time of unfolding the meaning of the initiation sacraments is called Mystagogy. The
Sunday scripture readings, which explain the meaning of the resurrection and of baptism,
have special meaning for all new Catholics.
This
is not an end in the journey, but a beginning. The
journey of faith lasts a lifetime.
To
find out more, please contact Donna Rayle at (704) 545-8916.
Saint John Neumann Catholic Church
8451 Idlewild Road
Charlotte, NC 28227
Phone (704) 536-6520
Fax (704) 536-3147
E-mail: sjncc@catholic.org