From the Pastor’s Desk:

Labor day has passed into the dust and we begin many of our fall programs. This past Sunday we began our preparation for Confirmation, Parish School of Religion for those students who are not in our Catholic Schools is in its 3rd week. I urge parents to enroll their children and bring them not only to class, but also to Mass on Sundays. It is so important that our young people are educated in the Faith, not just “pew” Catholics that do not understand what they are professing. I want to thank all those who have accepted the great responsibility to work with our youth in sharing our Catholic Faith.

Vatican Council II recommended that the Church renew its way of receiving adult candidates. In fact it looked at the early Church for examples. A revised rite called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) was approved by Pope Paul VI in 1972. The RCIA stresses formation in doctrine, liturgy, Church life, and service. It involves the larger church community in welcoming, instructing, helping and praying for the candidates. Our RCIA began last Monday evening at 6:30 pm in the Dining Room.

RCIA has been around for about 35-40 years, depending upon how the pastor followed the guidelines of Vatican Council II. Before the Council pastors simply gave “some” instructions in the faith to those wanting to enter the Church and then brought them into the Church either by Baptism or a Profession of Faith.

This whole change came about for many reasons: 1) sometimes adult converts would stop going to church when the priest that instructed them was transferred, their faith had been built around one person rather than the church itself, 2) large numbers of adult converts were/are knocking on our doors and one on one instruction is no longer feasible, 3) it is important that people experience “church” not only from priests/religious, but also from lay people themselves, 4) the faith journey that a person walks is important and many times they need someone to walk with them.

The RCIA can also serve as a focus for ongoing conversion for all members of the Catholic Church. As Catholics see new candidates learning doctrine, they are encouraged to study their faith. The whole parish community is invited to participate in the liturgical ceremonies welcoming new members. Those rites include RCIA Dismissal from the Liturgy of the Eucharist, The Rite of Acceptance, The Rite of Sending & Election, The Holy Saturday service, and Mystagogia. As “old” parishioners see the newly baptized begin ministries of service, they are encouraged to serve more generously. I want to thank all those who act as sponsors and teachers for those who the Lord has led to our doors on their faith journey. A special thanks to Fr. Allen as he leads our RCIA.