Confirmation and RCIA 2008-09


Confirmation

Class Attendance With good reason, one excused absence from Confirmation Instruction will be given. It is your re­sponsibility to contact the Confirmation Coordinator or a Catechist to discuss the situation. Because we are limited in our time together, every moment counts. Therefore, there will be required make-up work for a missed session. It is your responsibility to find out from the catechists what you must do to make up the missed lesson. More than one absence would raise the question of commitment to the program, and reconsideration by the student will be suggested.   Mass Attendance One of the first and most important ways you can prepare for Confirmation is to receive the Eucharist regularly. Going to Mass strengthens you as you lis­ten to God's Word, allows you to experience the supportiveness of the com­munity, as you pray together, and you receive the great gift of Jesus himself. The Mass is the greatest gathering in which Catholics share. Attendance at week end Mass and Holy Days of Obligation will be expected. Classes                   Classes are held at IC starting promptly at 6:30 and dismissing at 8:30 pm          Bring notebook and Bible and any assignments to each session Service A minimum of 20 hours of service work will be turned in by May 1, 2009 or attendance at one pre-approved retreat. Property Respect will be shown for each person's property as well as that of the church building and grounds. If any damage should occur it should be reported immediately. Discipline It is our goal to build an environment for learning that respects each individual. Inappropriate be­havior that shows disrespect for anyone in the class, including catechists, helpers and candidates will not be tolerated. If a candidate's behavior is deemed inappropriate by the catechist a phone call will be made to the parents to ask that the candidate be picked up. A second instance will result in being dropped from the pro­gram unless a meeting is arranged with all concerned, and a solution is found. ----------------------- Inclement Weather In the event of inclement weather, the following radio and television stations will be contacted by 5:00 p.m. with any cancellations: KHAK, KDAT, KRNA, and WMT MIX 96.5, KGAN Channel 2.

RCIA

Right of Christian initiation for adults

 

Parish of Immaculate Conception

Parish of St. Wenceslaus

Cedar Rapids, IA

 

What is RCIA?

 

The RCIA is a process through which adults become members of the Catholic Church. The period of information encompassed by the RCIA process will allow you to deepen your faith, understanding, and readiness, which will culminate in the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist during the parish celebration at Easter. 

 

The main purpose of the RCIA processes is to assist you in your introduction into the faith of the Catholic Church. People are introduced into the faith through the study of the church doctrine, Christian living, the Liturgical worship, and works of service.  The process of the RCIA reflects only the beginning of Christian life, a never-ending process of the deepening our love and relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

The RCIA process involves both those seeking to be baptized, as well as those who have been previously baptized in the Catholic Church but never catechized or those baptized in other Christian denominations, and who seek to become Catholics.

 

How does RCIA work?

 

During the period of RCIA, which is separated into four periods, candidates are formed into a deeper participation in the Catholic faith through study, discussion, and experiences concerning doctrine, Christian living and charitable works, and the liturgical worship. Accompanying this formation are three Liturgical “landmarks”, each indicating the deepening progress of a candidate toward full initiation into the Catholic Church.

 

The first period is a period of inquiry, or pre-catechumenate, it is a time for genuine questioning about the meaning of what life can be like as a Catholic, and how the church provides that meaning. If, after this period, a person still feels the desire to become a member of the church, he or she can request entrance into the church. This desire leads to the Right of Entrance into the catechumenate/Candidacy. This first “landmark” is celebrated during a Sunday mass, the normal place where the Parish community gathers for worship.

 

The celebration of the right begins the second period of RCIA, the period of the catechumenate/Candidacy.  As their relationship to the church deepens, these people [traditionally called catechumens] continue in their work to deepen their understanding an appreciation of the Catholic faith. This second leads to the Right of Election/Enrollment.  The Right of Election usually takes place at the beginning of Lent [the period of 40 days in which Catholics prepare for Easter} at this time, the catechumens or candidate formally states his or her intent to become a Catholic.  With this begins the third period of RCIA, The Period of Enlightenment.

 

This third period corresponds with the season of Lent. This is a time when those desiring membership into the church make their final preparation for full initiation.  This full initiation will involve the Sacrament of Baptism [if not already baptized] and a profession of Catholic faith, the Sacrament of Confirmation, and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. This third period is completed with the Easter Vigil On Holy Saturday night.  On this most holy night of the Catholic year of worship, the community gathers to hear the retelling of the actions of God in the history of humanity, and to celebrate God’s greatest action, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the source of universal salvation.  During this liturgy, the community professes their faith once again, and along with the first profession by the new members, then the church itself is reborn in the resurrection of Christ, and renewed in his Spirit!

 

The Fourth Period, between Easter and Pentecost [50 days after Easter, commemorating the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the church] is the beginning of the new initiated person’s new life as a member of the church.  This is a time for study and reflection on all that has happened in each person’s journey to his or her new life in Christ Jesus, especially during the Easter Vigil.

 

During this journey toward full initiation into the church, the parish community will play a very important role.  Some will be teachers, some will be sponsors, and others will help with their support, interest, and prayers.  As the future of the parish, we take a real concern in your journey towards full initiation.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                            RETREAT PHOTOS - MARCH 24
 


               

With good reason, one excused absence from Confirmation Instruction will be given. It is your re­sponsibility to contact the Confirmation Coordinator or a Catechist to discuss the situation. Because we are limited in our time together, every moment counts. Therefore, there will be required make-up work for a missed session. It is your responsibility to find out from the catechists what you must do to make up the missed lesson. More than one absence would raise the question of commitment to the program, and reconsideration by the student will be suggested.

            Attendance at week end Mass and Holy Days of Obligation will be expected. A notebook will be in the                 sacristy at both churches; candidates will sign in before or after attending Mass. 

Classes are held in Chihak Hall at St. Wenceslaus starting promptly at 6:45 and dismissing at 8:00.
Bring all materials to class each week.  Have assigned material read each week.

It is our goal to build an environment for learning that respects each individual. Inappropriate be­havior that shows disrespect for anyone in the class, including catechists, helpers and candidates will not be tolerated. If a candidate's behavior is deemed inappropriate by the catechist a phone call will be made to the parents to ask that the candidate be picked up. A second instance will result in being dropped from the pro­gram unless a meeting is arranged with all concerned, and a solution is found.