The Catholic community at St. John the Beloved Parish is always ready to receive anyone truly seeking to find a Christian home in which to grow in their spiritual life. RCIA will begin at St. John the Beloved on Monday, September 12.

Jesus invites each of us into a relationship with himself. If you are truly knocking on his door seeking to respond to this invitation we encourage you to read on and consider what your next step might be. As a person searching for spiritual renewal you may have asked yourself questions like:

• What is it that is attracting me to the Catholic faith?
• How will my life be different by becoming part of a Catholic community?
• In what ways will the Catholic faith help me to strengthen my relationship with Jesus?
• Is God really calling me to take this step at this point in my life?

If these, or questions like these have been on your mind then the RCIA at St. John’s may help you find answers.  On our journey of life, one of the things God can use to draw us to him are our everyday experiences.  The RCIA process is designed to be that part of our journey where we can begin to view our daily experiences and situations through the lens of the Catholic faith.  It is a place in which we can pray and discern, learn about the faith, ask questions, and have a first-hand experience of being part of a Catholic Christian community.

Just What Is RCIA?

RCIA is an acronym for The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  It is a pastoral process by which a person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the reception of the sacraments of initiation; baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.  It is oriented not just toward a one time event, but an ongoing interior change of life.  While the process is directed toward adults, mature teenagers are also invited to participate.

In the Catholic Church infant baptism is the norm, and through ongoing instruction, these children grow in their understanding of the profound graces that are available to them in their faith.  Others come into the Church as older children or adults.  In these cases, there needs to be a process of preparation in order for them to develop a full grasp of the graces of faith and the communion they will experience within the Catholic community. 

In the early Church acceptance into the Christian community was through instruction and conversion of heart that varied in length depending on circumstances.  However, it always included, “proclamation of the word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharist communion”.  (CCC #1229).  The RCIA in use today originated at the Second Vatican Council as a way to restore this ancient process in the Church.

The format for the process consists of four stages which are designed to form the heart and mind of the candidate in sacred scripture and tradition, apostolic life, the liturgy, the paschal mystery, and living in the Christian community. Liturgical rites are celebrated along the way to mark the candidate’s progress. These rites are a sign of welcome as a step toward becoming a full-fledged member of the Christian community.  A team of parishioners administers the process, and each candidate is accompanied on the journey by a sponsor to whom they can turn to for guidance and support.

Is The RCIA Process For You?  

At St. John’s we strive to develop an RCIA process that is flexible enough to meet each situation. To understand your own circumstances better, ask yourself:

• Have you been baptized in a Protestant denomination but now seek membership in the Catholic Church?
• Are you someone who was baptized in the Catholic Church but have had no further formation in the faith?

No matter where you are on your journey of faith there is a place for you at St John the Beloved. To find out how you may participate in the RCIA process contact Deacon Tom Bailey. 302-999-9761, or tmbailey1@verizon.net. 

In assisting past participants in the RCIA process we have seen firsthand how the deep longings of the human spirit cannot be satisfied only by what the world has to offer.  Many of them recognized first and foremost a void in their lives that was not being filled. 
Other reasons they were drawn to RCIA include:

• A longing to become a part of a faith community
• The desire for family members to be united in their faith and worship together
• For parents of students in our school to become more familiar with the faith 
• For couples planning marriage to be able to share together in the Eucharist    

Do you see yourself in any of these situations?  Do you know someone who might benefit from RCIA; someone close to you, a friend, a spouse, a neighbor, or a fiancée?  If your answer is yes, then you are invited to respond to this invitation. 

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me”. -- Rev 3:20.

It is not necessary to be a saint or to be steeped in knowledge of the Church. All that is needed is a desire to learn and a willingness to be a companion to others as they begin to explore the Catholic faith. God will take care of the rest.

This is a great opportunity to get to know others in the parish, and to share your faith and how God has impacted your life. The RCIA process will begin in September.