|
Holy Trinity Catholic parish is very active in its evangelization for youth and adults in the parish! For Adults Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) RCIA involves the ENTIRE CHURCH COMMUNITY - Giving birth or rebirth to faith
- Making newcomers feel welcome
- Sharing in special celebrations
- Setting a good example
- Offering ongoing support
RCIA is a spiritual journey. First, an individual is an INQUIRER. An INQUIRER is a prospective Catholic who is interested in becoming active member of the church community. The length of time an individual remains in the INQUIRER stage is not specific. According to the needs of the INQUIRER, this stage may take a few weeks or several months. Some individuals take several years.
YOU’RE INVITED! If you enjoy Sunday worship at Holy Trinity or would like to know more about what it means to be Catholic, please come to an INQUIRY SESSION form 11AM until Noon each Sunday. These sessions are an opportunity to listen, reflect, discuss and pray together and to form new relationships. Sessions are held in the Rectory meeting room. For more information, please contact Sister Janice Munier, SSND at 314-241-9165. An INQUIRER can then become a CANDIDATE. A CANDIDATE is an individual who formally requests active membership in the Church. During the next one to three years the CANDIDATE will receive training in the Christian Life
For Children Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) Children of catechetical age, seven to fourteen, are fully initiated according to the Rite of Christian Initiation. The vision of the Rite is that children’s initiation is a rich transforming experience. This vision contains four main elements: - Children are to be initiated for mission
- Children are to experience conversion through the process
- Children are to be initiated within the paschal mystery
- Children are to be initiated in and through the faith community and their families
This process of initiation as envisioned in the Rite of Christian Initiation leads children into discipleship with Jesus Christ. Becoming a disciple is a journey of conversion centered in the paschal mystery. Conversion to the person and mission of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the initiation process. Because conversion is expected of children involved in this process, it is often experienced in the family as well. The entire process of initiation is family-centered and liturgical catechesis is the normal means of formation. Additional information about The Liturgical Rites and the Vision of Christian Initiation The Rite of Christian Initiation is a series of separate but interrelated rites that are celebrated at the culmination of each period of the initiation process. Likewise, each of the major rites points to, or anticipates, the next period in the process. The rites serve as “doorways” through which the candidates pass as they proceed to the next stages, or periods, in the process. The four periods of the Rite are: - Evangelization and –pre-catechumentate
- The catechumenate
- Purification and enlightenment
- Post-baptismal catechesis
The three major liturgical rites are: - Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
- Rite of Election
- The Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
The liturgical rites are foundational in the vision of Christian initiation. Not only are they a summation and culmination of each period of the initiation process, but they are also highly significant moments in the formation of the candidates. The rituals speak at a level that verbal language cannot. The signs and symbols, the sights and sounds, the gestures, prayers, processions, music and movement engage all in a most profound way. The rituals express the mystery of the Holy One alive and working in the community. The liturgical rites are key to and have the utmost priority in the process of initiation.
|
