With the busyness and craziness of life, we often do not even think about faith and our future. There are many people who need a little nudge and a welcome invitation to become members of the Catholic Church. God may be asking you to “nudge” someone. If so, have them call Sr. Jane at 440.235.2808 for some more nudging and details.
The Mass continued - Lord, I am not worthy…
As Catholics, we probably know more of the Bible than we think; because the Mass is loaded with Scripture, and that is over and above the reading. Right before we receive Holy Communion, we recite the words of the Roman centurion when Jesus agrees to come to his home to heal his servant. What a faith statement! “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed.” The Church personalizes it by saying “my soul.”
Yes, it is true that we are not worthy to take God into our bodies, but (and that’s a big “but”) Jesus calls us to Himself and has made us worthy by his holy sacrifice.
We don’t grovel. We stand to receive Jesus: Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity because we have prayed for healing and just as Jesus cured the servant, in the Eucharist, we are healed.
God calls all of us to salvation; our journeys, however, may take many different paths. For some the journey began in Baptism as a newborn child; but for others, the journey could be winding. RCIA is the process for welcoming adults into the faith tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
The program is designed for adults...
Who have not been baptized in any religion
Who have been baptized in another faith tradition and desire to be in full communion with the Catholic Church
Who were baptized Roman Catholic, but did not receive the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation
RCIA meets weekly on Tuesdsayevenings for an hour and a half. This is usually a nine-month period, but can be extended due to individual need.
The purpose of the process is to form adults in the faith by forming them in Scripture and Catholic Tradition, and by transforming them through a solid relationship with God in prayer and the celebration of Mass.
Understanding the process
Your participation in RCIA will take you through different stages. A brief description of each stage is detailed below.
Pre-Catechumenate: A period of time where the adult inquires about the Catholic faith, begins to join the parish community at Mass and social occasions, and begins to study the teachings of the Church.
Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming: This is a ceremony that takes place during Mass in which those in RCIA publicly profess their desire to begin a more intense study and practice of the Catholic faith.
Catechumenate: In this stage the candidate delves deeper into the study of Scripture and the Traditions of the Catholic Church. They live the Catholic faith in order to test whether they can make a lifetime commitment.
Rite of Election: Another ceremony in which the Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland embraces all those coming into the Church and blesses them as they begin the last stage of their preparation.
Purification and Enlightenment: This is the final and perhaps the most intense period of preparation as the catechumen/candidate enters into the Lenten season of forty days. It is a time of prayer and fasting so that the spirit will be strengthened and the roots of their faith will grow deeper. Our catechumens are now called “The Elect.”
Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: On the night before Easter, the Catholic Church prays their most beautiful liturgy as they walk with the catechumen into the waters of Baptism and receive the Professions of Faith of the candidates. The newly baptized become our “neophytes.”
Mystagogy: A short period of time for each of us to reflect on the miracle that God has given to us.
It may seem complicated, but do not worry. Our RCIA team walks the journey with you and your sponsor. We are there to prayerfully, socially, and faithfully support you. If you or someone you know seems to be feeling God’s call to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church, we welcome you and promise to help you discern what God may be desiring for you.