Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

What is the "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)"	Who can be a "RCIA Sponsor"
I'm already Catholic, but want to learn more about our faith!	I've been away for awhile, can I come back?

"Maybe I would like to become a Catholic. I really don 't know" "My Children are being brought up as Catholics, and I would like to share in their faith development and understand better what they are learning." "How does one become a Catholic?"
Perhaps you or a spouse, or a friend of yours, have found yourself making such statements or asking some very important questions. Very shortly, we will begin a program that just might be what you a (or that special person in your life) are looking for.

What Is The Catechumenate?
In the earlier days of the Church, those taking instruction in the Christian faith and learning its' ways were called CATECHUMENS. The catechumenate is simply the process by which they would learn about the Church and its' practices and prayer life.

Who Is Welcome?
Any and all persons who would like to inquire about the Catholic faith.

When Are The Sessions?
The full schedule will be given out at the introductory session, very soon. The program meets on Monday evenings from 7:30PM until 9:30PM throughout the year. Those who might choose, at that time, to become Catholic, prepare during Lent for the Initiation Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) to be received at Easter time. If interested, please call Arden Robinson at (262) 658-0286 or contact the Rectory at (847) 872-8778.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
The Church is generally known to have a lot of special names for things. Sometimes it's helpful to explain these terms; for instance, "RCIA". RCIA is an acronym that means Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. So, what does that mean? in this case, Rite means a special, prescribed way in which people wanting to become Catholics are instructed, and made holy along the way with special, set ways we pray (also called Rites) celebrated at successive intervals of a time. These Rites are special moments of grace.

You may have participated at the Mass, in mid-March, where we celebrated the "Rite of Sending" from our Church for "Election" and recognition by the Bishop. At that time our "Elect" (Baptized and unbaptized People who are declared ready by their catechists and sponsors to begin their final preparation for the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist), are personally "Elected" (Chosen), and called to continuing conversion as they intensify their final preparations.

Later in March, we began celebrating the first of Three "Scrutinies", on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. Scrutiny comes from the word "Scrutinize". When we scrutinize something we look at it carefully, examine it thoroughly. The Rites called the "Scrutinies" reflect this very kind of examination -- we look within ourselves to uncover what is weak (or what is keeping us from Christ), and we also look to bring out what is good and upright in our hearts. Then we look to Christ to heal those weaknesses and strengthen us to face further temptations.

Please pray for all those going through the "RCIA" process, especially the special person you've been asked to pray for in your "Lenten Table Prayer" Card.

What Does It Mean To Become an RCIA Sponsor?
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a program that allows interested individuals an opportunity to examine the Christian faith in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The people on this wonderful faith journey need a partner, a fellow traveler, because sometimes the road is difficult, and it's not always easy to see where it's leading. They need a companion, a guide, a friend who knows the way! St. Augustine referred to the Church as a community of "Christians begetting Christians." In the early days, the Church was dependent on the witness of every member. Welcoming new Catholics was not only the responsibility of the clergy, but belonged with the entire community of the faithful. Thus, we have the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. This, in turn, gives each person in our parish the opportunity to share the gift of his/her faith with someone who is seeking to know God through our Church. This faith sharing is called the Ministry of Sponsorship.

     The RCIA Sponsors play a vital role in helping show what it means to be a Catholic and a Christian; not by being an authority on religion, but by sharing through their own experiences how God touches us in our daily lives.
     RCIA Sponsorship is also very rewarding. As a former participant in the program, I have experienced the closeness and openness of this sharing process. Not only will the sponsor make many new friends, but will also gain a much deeper understanding of his/her own faith.
     The sponsor's responsibilities include: keeping in regular contact with the candidates, encouraging them, listening to their faith and their doubts, sharing time and experience in a friendly manner, participating in the catechumenate sessions when possible, praying with and for candidates, and introducing the candidates to the other members of the community. The RCIA meets three Mondays a month from 7:30 to 9:30PM.

There will be a session that will help you to understand the RCIA process, and give you some insight into the responsibility, privilege, and joy of the Ministry of Sponsorship. Don't be afraid! Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit! Answer the call to be a Parish Sponsor.
If you would be interested in being a Parish Sponsor, or if you have any questions, please call Arden Robinson at (262) 658-0286 or contact the Rectory at (847) 872-8778.

"I'm already a Catholic, but want to learn more about our faith!"
Our Lady of Humility offers sessions of Adult Bible Study and other programs throughout the year.

If you would you like to be able to see the “big picture” of the events in the Old Testament? Would you like to learn more about the progression of covenants? Would you like to be able to understand the context of obscure passages? Would you like to be able to make sense out of the biblical genealogies, the Law of Moses, the Davidic Kingdom? Would you like to understand where the prophetic books, the law codes, the poetry, hymns, and everything else in the Old Testament falls into place?
A course will be offered that will help you to do all these things. Join us in our Adult Bible Study Class on the Old Testament which will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30PM here at the Parish. The course normally begins on the second week of September and will last approximately 6 months.

"I've been away for a while, can I come back to the Church?"
Yes, Welcome back! We sometimes let life take us in different directions. There are any number of reasons we may have for falling away from actively practicing our faith. If you are at a point in your life that you feel something is missing, please join us or call the Rectory at (847) 872-8778.

If you're not quite ready to walk back into the doors of the church, but still have questions, please check out the OnceCatholic.org website. The mission of OnceCatholic.org is to put you back in touch with a face-to-face community of Catholics. Along the way, we want to walk with you as you sort through your issues with the Church. OnceCatholic.org is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. The Franciscan Friars are a Roman Catholic order founded by Saint Francis of Assisi.