R.C.I.A.
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RCIA & Adult Formation in Faith
If you, or someone you know, wants to find out more about what is involved in becoming
a Catholic - contact Canon Eddie for further details of this programme.Likewise, members of the Parish who feel they might be able to assist with the work of the R.C.I.A. Group should contact
Canon Eddie.
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Rite of Reception
1st Sunday in Advent
Rite of Election
St. Mirin’s Cathedral
1st Sunday of Lent
Those who will be received into full communion with the Church this Easter will register their intent to do so at a Diocesan Rite of Election in St. Mirin's Cathedral on Sunday 26th February (First Sunday of Lent) at 1.30 pm. Please keep them in your prayers.
Period of Purification
& Enlightenment3rd Sunday of Lent — First Scrutiny
4th Sunday of Lent — Second Scrutiny
5th Sunday of Lent — Third Scrutiny
Celebration of
the Sacraments of InitiationPreparation Rites
Holy Saturday (morning)Initiation
in the presenting Parishes
Solemn Easter Vigil Mass-----------------------------------------------
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Prayer for Christian Initiation of Adults -
Father, you give your Church constant growth
by adding new members to your family.
Help us put into action in our lives the baptism
we have received in faith. (Roman Missal)The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a process of gradual introduction and instruction in the content and the practice of the Catholic faith. RCIA is for anyone who experiences a desire, however tenuous, to inform themselves about Catholic faith and practice - with a view to making an informed and conscious choice whether or not they want to receive the Sacraments of Initiation offered by the Catholic Church (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).
Who is R.C.I.A. for?
R.C.I.A. is for -
a)CATECHUMENS: those who have never been baptised and seek to join the community
of believers;
b) CANDIDATES: those who have been baptised in another Christian faith but are seeking
to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church;
c) CANDIDATES: those who have been baptised in the Catholic faith but who have never been
fully initiated through reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation
and Eucharist.Others who participate in RCIA are Catholic adults who serve as catechists and sponsors for the Catechumens and Candidates. These parishioners have a very important role in helping to nurture and introduce the Catechumens and Candidates to the Church community by providing instruction, support, example and prayer.
What is the time commitment for RCIA?The RCIA group meets once a week from September through the Easter Vigil and Pentecost.
This is the primary time commitment but there may be other commitments depending on the requirements or progress of the individual Enquirers. All of us have other commitments with work and family and it may not be possible to be at every meeting. It is, however, best if you can be at most meetings because lessons build on earlier lessons. Should an evening be missed, the team will endeavour to assist catch-up on what has been missed.
The catechumen(s) - those who are preparing to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil -
take part in the celebration of the Scrutinies at Mass on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent.
R.C.I.A. 2024 Dates
Rite of Enrolment: First Sunday of Lent – 18th February at 2pm (Time to be confirmed) – St Mirin’s Cathedral;
Rites of Scrutiny (3rd/4th/5th Sundays of Lent – 3rd, 10th, 17th March at 12 noon.);
Preparatory Rite for Reception of the Sacraments & Rehearsal: Saturday 30th March at 9.30am;
Reception of Candidates: Easter Vigil – Saturday 30th March
at 8.30pm. Reception afterwards.
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MASS OF THE NEOPHYTES
ST. MIRIN'S CATHEDRAL
All those newly baptised and those received into the Catholic Church from across the Diocese are invited to gather as the newest members of the Diocese to give thanks and praise to God for the wonderful gift received at Easter this year.
This occasion is very symbolic for these neophytes as it marks the end of the period of mystagogia. These newly welcomed adults (and children) have begun in earnest their journey into full membership of the Catholic Church.
As a Diocesan community we have an opportunity at this significant Eucharistic celebration to join with them in praising God for their gift of faith and of showing our personal gratitude for who they are becoming as active members of the diocesan community.
Every member of every parish is invited to consider this an opportunity to show support for our newest Catholics by attending the Mass for Neophytes.
A neophyte is one who is newly baptised into the Catholic Faith or received into the Catholic Church.
This ‘title’ is given to those who have journeyed through several previous stages.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults begins with a person being recognised as an inquirer or a pre-catechumen.
After a period of discernment between the individual and those leading the process, the person is then formally welcomed into a preparation stage and becomes a catechumen.
This ‘title’ is held throughout the length of instruction and faith development.
Most often, at the beginning of the Lenten season (that is prior to the expected time of initiation or reception) the catechumen is formally welcomed into the final stage of preparation and becomes a member of the elect.
The Rite of Election (when those to be baptised) and the Penitential Service (for those already baptised) marks the climax of preparation when the elect and candidates are presented for initiation or reception into the Catholic Church.
After initiation or reception,
the new Catholic is henceforth known as a neophyte. This stage (although not often recognised) marks an ongoing journey into familiarity with and living as a Catholic.---------------------------------------------
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