Learning Our Faith

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RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults]. Until the early 80’s, the traditional approach to bringing non-Catholics into the Catholic Faith was characterized by the following:

· The Catechumen [non-baptized]/Candidate [previously baptized] needed to initiate the process. 

· He/She was “instructed” in the Faith on an individual basis, usually by the parish priest.

· Once their instruction was completed, the Catechumen/Candidate was received into the Church in a private ceremony.

· All of this was good, but it was time consuming and anonymous.

· There was no standard text, program or curriculum. Depending on the individual priest, the Catechumen either received a thorough instruction in the Catholic Faith or something that was sloppy and not very informative.  Since the mid 80’s, the Church has re-thought its approach towards those wishing to become Catholic or those who were baptized as Catholic, but never received any formation in the Faith. This is when RCIA was developed by the American bishops. It is characterized by the following:

· There is a standardized curriculum. The curriculum is based on the Sacred Scriptures, Documents of the Church and the New Catholic Catechism. 

· Every parish is required to provide a RCIA Program and if possible assemble a qualified RCIA Team.

· The RCIA program emphasizes the importance and place which the people of the Parish have in nurturing the formation of the Catechumens [non-baptized] & Candidates [previously baptized]. This often takes place at Sunday Mass, but especially during Holy Week/ the Triduum.

· Unless, there is a serious reason, the Catechumens are received into the Faith at the Easter Vigil. The Candidates can be received into the Church during any time of the year, but preferably during Lent, Holy Week or before Pentecost. 

· Presuming that the Program begins in mid-September and concludes on Easter, RCIA is a nine-month process. Catechumens & Candidates meet weekly for one hour.

· The above is a very loose characterization of RCIA. It is intended to give those unfamiliar with this wonderful program a sense of what it is about. There are a number of particulars, not mentioned here, but which are included within the Program which address specific situations. 

· Over 40+ years, this approach to catechesis has proven to be extremely successful, largely because of RCIA’s communal aspect. The Catechumens & Candidates experience the parish community’s interest in them; they experience how their parish invests itself in their spiritual journey; and finally, their journey is not anonymous. They share this journey with men & women who are on the same journey through the universal Church; they also benefit from the support of the Parish RCIA Team, brothers& sisters who are excited for them and committed to them.  

· The 2020-2021 schedule of RCIA Classes are attached. 

· The instruction segment of St. Lawrence’s 2020-2021 RCIA Program begins Tuesday 9/8-20 [7-8 PM] and concludes on March 23, 2021. Catechumens are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, Saturday evening 4/3/21 [7 PM]

In the coming weeks, look for references to St. Lawrence’s RCIA Program and the part that you can play in the lives of those searching for their place in Our Lord’s Family. Whenever you have any questions about RCIA or St. Lawrence’s RCIA Program don’t hesitate to contact Fr. Benn through the Parish Office [610]749-2684 or on line at saintlawrence@verizon.net Additional info can be found on the parish WEB site: {saint-lawrence-church.org}.  

Schedule 2020-2021

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