Waterloo Catholics


Adult Formation, Enrichment
and Spiritual Growth
 

 

Home   Parishes Mass Times Contact Us About Us


QUIK-CLICK GUIDE TO THIS PAGE
What is the Rite of Christian Reception?
Who Participates in the RCRA?
How is the RCRA Organized?
What is the Role of Sponsors in the RCRA?
What You Should Expect in the RCRA?
About Marriage and the RCRA
What is the Role of Discernment in the RCRA?

Current Schedule
Registration
Contact


Information About the
Rite of Christian Reception
of Adults
(RCRA)

in the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

 

What is the Rite of Christian Reception?

    The Rite of Christian Reception is an experience of personal formation, spiritual growth and conversion for Christian adults who are interested in jpining the Catholic Church.  The Rite of Reception is an adaptation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  It is a shorter period of discernment and preparation which concentrates on the distinctive characteristics, rituals and teachings of the Catholic Church.
    Individuals participating in the Rite of Christian Reception meet weekly, generally for a period of about eight weeks.  The Rite of Reception is available several times during the calendar year and usually concludes with a profession of faith and celebration of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation during a Sunday Mass in the local parish.
    Participants in the Rite of Reception are assigned a guide, a member of the Catholic faith community who will accompany them on their journey through the reception process.

Who Participates in the RCRA?

    The Rite of Christian Reception of Adults is designed for adults who have been baptized in another mainline Christian denomination, have been fully catechized in that tradition, and have been practicing regularly in that Christian tradition.  The Rite of Christian Reception presumes that candidates have experienced a conversion into the Christian faith, and are comfortable participating in a Christian faith community.
Click here for the current RCRA Schedule

How is RCRA organized?

Catechetical Sessions
    The RCRA consists of eight catechetical sessions designed to help candidates understand what is distinctive and special about the Catholic Christian tradition.
   
The catechetical sessions are designed to address the particular needs, questions and concerns of each participant.  There is an opportunity for questions and discussion, often in small groups or one-on-one. 
    The process will always respect the privacy and personal comfort level of each participant.  Issues and concerns which cannot be discussed in the general session can be addressed in private with a sponsor or a member of the parish staff.

     At the same time, candidates in the Rite of Christian Reception of Adults should be participating as much as they are comfortable in the spiritual and social life the parish faith community, with the assistance of a Parish Sponsor or Family Companion.

Breaking Open the Word
    RCRA participants may also participate in Breaking Open the Word, which takes place each week during or after Sunday Mass in the local parish.  Breaking Open the Word is a continuing opportunity to discuss the Sunday scripture readings and the participants’ personal journey of faith.

What is the Role of Sponsors?

    Sponsors play an important role in the initiation process.  They remind us that we are engaged in a process of conversion, which involves human persons, and we are being initiated into a faith community of human persons.  RCRA sponsors represent the faith community; they insure that no human person walks the journey of conversion on their own. introduces the candidate to other members of the faith community, and invites the candidate to participate in community activities.
Every individual who celebrates a sacrament of initiation in the Catholic Church chooses a Sacramental Sponsor. 
    RCRA Sponsors may serve as Sacramental Sponsors if they meet the criteria outlined below; however, candidates do not have to choose their RCRA Sponsor as their Sacramental Sponsor. Sacramental Sponsors must meet the following criteria:
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a baptized Catholic who has also celebrated the Sacrament of
  Confirmation.
• Should be participating as fully as possible in the spiritual and sacramental life
  of the Catholic church.
• Should be an individual the candidate admires and respects as a good role
  model of Christian living.
• May be of either gender.
• May be a relative or friend, but may not be the candidate’s birth-parent.
• As a general rule should not be the candidate’s spouse or fiance.
• May be the candidate’s Baptism Sponsor (Godparent) if the candidate was
  baptized as a Catholic.

Here are some questions a candidate might consider when choosing a sponsor or companion:
• Is this a person of faith?  Is he or she actively involved in the spiritual and
  sacramental life of the Catholic faith community?
• Is this a person whose life is a good example of the Christian values and virtues
  which you will try to imitate?
• Are prayer, service, and commitment a real part of this person’s everyday life?
• Has this person grown in his or her own faith over the years?  Has he or she
  struggled to understand the effort, maturity, commitment and doubt which an
  adult commitment to Jesus Christ entails?
• Is this person able and willing to share his or her faith experience with me?  Am
  I able and willing to share my faith experience with this person?
• Is this person able and willing to help me feel welcome in the Catholic faith
  community and help me grow in my participation in the Catholic Church?
• Is this person reliable and trustworthy?  Can I depend on him or her to fulfill the
  responsibilities of a sponsor or companion and to respect my privacy and
  confidentiality?

What Should You Expect if You Participate in the RCRA?

    If you participate in the RCRA process you should expect to grow in your understanding of the Catholic faith and to deepen your own personal spiritual life, even if you choose not to become Catholic. 
    You should also expect:
• to be treated with respect, understanding and confidentiality.
• to have your questions, concerns, doubts and fears respectfully considered and
  fully addressed.
• to have any previous religious or spiritual experience carefully respected.
• to never be surprised by any aspect of the RCRA process, and to be fully
  informed about expectations and opportunities for participation in the Catholic
  aith community.
• to make your own free choice about participation in the RCRA and/or
  membership in the Catholic Church.
• to be guided, encouraged and supported in discerning your decision, and
  explaining your choice to family and friends.
• to be warmly and sincerely welcomed by members of the Catholic faith
  community.

About Marriage and the RCRA

    According to Catholic teaching, an individual is not free to marry unless any previous marriage has been annulled.  In most cases, this also applies to any previous marriage of a non-Catholic partner. 
    Individuals who have divorced and remarried may enter the RCRA process, but must have their previous marriage annulled and their second marriage validated before they celebrate initiation in the Catholic Church.
    Individuals who have divorced but not remarried may enter the RCRA process and celebrate initiation in the Catholic Church.  They must have their previous marriage annulled before entering a second marriage.
    An "annulment" (or Declaration of Nullity) by a church tribunal declares that a particular marriage did not meet the Church's criteria for a full, permanent sacramental marriage because one or both partners were unable to understand or unwilling to fulfil the requirements for such a marriage relationship.
Click here for more information about a Decree of Invalidity
   
You should clarify your marital status with the pastoral staff before you begin participation in the RCRA.

What is the Role of Discernment in
the RCRA?

    Life is full of decisions.  And there is never a guarantee that the decisions we make will for sure be the right decisions.  However, we can be open to a posture of decision-making that reflects a God-focus.  We can enter into a process of discernment, which is a particularly appropriate kind of decision-making for an individual participating in the Rite of Christian Reception. 

Click here for more information about the role of discernment in the RCRA process.

•   •   •

Registration

By phone: call 319-234-9912
By email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
Online: Click here to register online

•   •   •

Current RCRA Schedule
Click here for the current RCRA Schedule

•   •   •

For More Information

Members of the Catholic parishes in Waterloo will welcome your questions.  Our pastors and parish staff are eager to discuss your interest in the Catholic Church and to answer any questions or concerns you may have about joining the Catholic Church.

For information about the Rite of Christian Reception of Adults
contact one of these Catholic Parishes in Waterloo:

Blessed Sacrament Community
319-233-6179

Queen of Peace Parish
319-266-3655

Sacred Heart Parish
319-234-8394

St. Edward Parish
319-233-8060

or contact:

Director of Adult Faith Formation
320 Mulberry St., Waterloo IA 50703  •  Phone: 319-234-9912
email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

 Posted 01.08  •  Last Update 08.19.09

OUR COMMITMENT TO ADULT FORMATION
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation and spiritual growth for adults of all ages. We value individual life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We encourage conversation and dialogue. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.

Copyright Protected / The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

 

St. Louis County and City