| The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or RCIA is | | | | because it was that important. |
| something you may see advertised in your parish | | | | The bishops strongly believed that this process can |
| bulletin but not really know something about. You | | | | renew parish life. RCIA is a journey and is often |
| may be asked to be a sponsor but not really know | | | | within the groups are referred to as one. It is also a |
| what it means or if you can even participate in the | | | | journey of conversion for the parish as well. The |
| process. But over the course of the last 30 years | | | | parish is involved in the process now and they should |
| the RCIA programs, has gone though a major | | | | be welcoming these candidates and catechumens |
| transformation that in the end returns the process to | | | | elect into the church. The congregation participates in |
| the roots of the early church even though it is still in | | | | the rights of ignition that the candidates and |
| its infancy relatively speaking. Its seems to call a ritual | | | | catechumens walk though. |
| that is 2000 years old in its infancy but it wasn.t until | | | | If the RCIA program is run well it can be a great |
| Vatican II did the church return back to its roots in | | | | experience for the whole parish as they watch and |
| how it brings a person wishing to become Catholic, or | | | | help walk with the new converts on their journey. |
| an unbaptized person who wishes to be baptized | | | | They help as sponsors. They also may be asked to |
| Catholic, into the church. | | | | pray for them. And if asked they may be faced with |
| Approximately 10 years ago the United States | | | | questions from them. They may be asked to share |
| Bishops mandated that this new way to bringing | | | | their faith in witnessing about it. The support the |
| adults and children older than 4 into the church be | | | | parish offers to their coverts is very similar to the |
| implemented in all United States parishes. The RCIA | | | | early church and in part why the bishops want to |
| label was assigned when they passed this mandate. | | | | stick with this process. As the congregation walks |
| In 2000, the Bishops decided to re-evaluate again. | | | | with the converts they are also renewing their own |
| They found that RCIA process was working in some | | | | faith and reinforcing their own conversion. |
| places but nonexistent in others. They felt it was | | | | The conversion to Jesus Christ is a lifelong process |
| important for the congregation to participate in the | | | | and the RCIA is a wonderful reminder to all members |
| process and just as important as the person that | | | | of the parish. It gives opportunity to reflect on the |
| was coming into the church. What is most interesting | | | | vows made in Baptism and renew those promises. |
| about this is the bishops so much believed in this | | | | This recommits each member of the congregation to |
| process that they said even though there were | | | | Jesus and makes each one a far better witness to |
| some parishes without a process in place, they said | | | | Christ.s teachings. |
| that they were not going change the process | | | | |