St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 589 West Grand Avenue - Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901 Telephone : (501) 623-6201    Fax: (501) 318-0328

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS ( R.C.I.A. )

What is RCIA? In 1971, in response to the call of the Second Vatican Council, the Church revised the process of becoming Catholic. The “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” was formed. It is an effort to restore the spirit of early Christianity by emphasizing conversion as a participation in the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, as well as the role of the entire praying, witnessing, and teaching Body of Christ in giving support and shape to that journey. RCIA refers to a series of rites, conducted in the context of learning about the faith and spiritual formation, through which a person is fully incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church. There are four stages in the RCIA: The Precatechumenate, or period of inquiry and evangelization; the Catechumenate, which is a time of serious and dedicated formation; the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, which coincides with Lent; and Mystagogy, which lasts from Easter to Pentecost.

Who Are They? People involved in the RCIA process are either catechumens or candidates. Catechumens are those who have never been baptized. Candidates are those who have been baptized in other Christian denominations, whose baptism is recognized as valid.

What this means to you. You may know someone who has expressed an interest in the Catholic Church or someone who is no longer attending the Catholic Church. This is a good place to begin. Many fallen away Catholics would like to come back but are unsure how to begin. Some of the reasons for coming back are: because they want meaning in their life, because childhood memories surface or because they made mistakes or even the need to forgive others. The number one reason is the hunger for the Eucharist.

If you know of someone who fits in any of these situations please bring them to our meetings beginning August 9th 2009. We will be meeting in the Parish Hall at 4:30 pm.

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