• The invitation to such a life configured to Jesus Christ (given gradually, convincingly, prayerfully, and with humility) is the mission of the pre-catechumenate period, the first period of the RCIA process. According to the guidelines in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, during this period inquirers “should receive help and attention so that they may purify their intentions and clarify their desire to cooperate with God’s grace.
• Initial conversion is the goal of this period. Conversion, seen as a progressive process, involves various stages of change. Simply stated, conversion involves a turning from something coupled with a turning towards something else. The Christian faith is, above all, conversion to Jesus Christ.

We have the responsibility to answer questions and to give the candidates a suitable explanation of the Gospel

• The period of the catechumenate is the meat of the RCIA process.  It should comprise the longest period, which has the goal of training the budding disciple in the Christian life.  This work of formation requires great catechesis. Catechesis is the religious instruction given to a person in preparation for Christian Initiation.
• By the end of the catechumenate, you will have been introduced to Catholic teaching in its entirety by means of comprehensive lessons on the truths of Catholic doctrine and moral life.
• As one learns one also grows in understanding and in action. Conversion and faith should become strong.

• In this period the focus shifts toward spiritual preparation for the sacraments of initiation. The themes of repentance and holiness are constant throughout this period, and it should be permeated with a spirit of prayer and retreat.
• Interior reflection (on God’s love for his people, his faithful provision, his call to turn to him fully), should seek to lead participants to repentance, acts of penance, a desire to offer thanksgiving, and more fervent practice of fraternal charity.
• The elect and candidates should turn to an ever-deepening reflection upon Christ the Savior, focusing on the climactic events of the Paschal mystery, which they will encounter directly by means of the Sacraments of Initiation.

• The grace received from the Easter mysteries propels the new Catholics into the final period of post-baptismal catechesis, called mystagogy. The term comes from the Greek mystagogia, which refers to instruction in the mysteries or sacraments. Ordinarily, this period following reception of the sacraments of initiation lasts for seven weeks from Easter to Pentecost.
• Mystagogy is properly situated after the reception of the sacraments because only then do our new Catholics, the neophytes, have the grace to understand and appreciate the sacred mysteries of the Church in a more profound manner.
• The process of penetrating deeper into the mysteries of God continues past the period of mystagogy into the remainder of the neophyte year as they frequent the sacraments and strive for holiness.
• While the neophyte year terminates the following Easter, this process of continually penetrating the mysteries characterizes Christian existence. We are pilgrims here on earth, sustained and nourished by the Eucharist, a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits all of us.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA, is the formal process established for welcoming adults into the Catholic Church. Are you interested in sharing your faith? Learning more about your faith? Come to an RCIA meeting to see if this is for you. We welcome all inquirers and encourage those who may only have "thought about it" in the past. There is no obligation, just answers to your questions.

Meetings will be held on Thursday nights, 7:00-8:45, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  Check the parish calendar or talk to your pastor for more details.