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QUIK-CLICK GUIDE
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Rite of Christian Reception of Adults
Which Rite is Right for You?
About Marriage and Initiation
Information for
Individuals Interested
in Becoming Catholic
____________________________________________________________________
Information Meetings
for Individuals Interested in Being Catholic
Sunday, January 4, 9:30am
O'Hagan Hall (church basement)
Sacred Heart Parish, 627 West 4th St., Waterloo
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The Catholic parishes in Waterloo welcome
individuals or families who are interested in joining the
Catholic faith community and anyone who is interested in
learning more about the Catholic faith.
For individuals who have never been baptized or
catechized in the Christian faith, the parishes provide the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For
individuals who have been baptized, catechized, and
participating regularly in a Christian tradition, the parishes
offer the Rite of Christian Reception of Adults.
Both rites offer a combination of personal
preparation and discernment in a small group format, combined
with public liturgical ceremonies which celebrate an
individual's participation in the Catholic faith community.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
is modeled on the initiation ritual of the ancient Christian
community. It is an experience of personal formation and
spiritual growth which incorporates prayer, study, reflection
and discernment in a combination of public rituals and community
experience. It is the principle way that the Catholic
community welcomes new members who have not been baptized in
another Christian church.
The RCIA meets weekly, usually on Wednesday
evenings, and may last a year or longer. It generally
concludes with a solemn public celebration of the sacraments of
Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil in
the local parish.
Participants in the Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults are assigned an individual sponsor, a member of
the community who will accompany them on their journey through
the initiation process.
For more about the
RCIA click here.
Rite of Christian Reception of Adults
The Rite of Christian Reception of Adults (RCRA) is
an adaptation of the Rite of Christian Initiation designed
particularly for adults who have been baptized, catechized and
are participating in another mainline Christian church.
The Rite of Christian Reception 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.
Click
here for more
information about RCRA
Which Rite
is Best for You?
There are many factors which may influence which
Rite is most appropriate for a particular person.
The decision to participate in the Rite of
Christian Initiation or the Rite of Christian Reception is a
decision you should make in consultation with the pastor or
director of religious in the parish you plan to join. A
friend or family member who knows you and your religious
experience well may also be helpful in deciding which initiation
Rite is best for you.
Generally, you should consider participation in
the Rite of Christian Initiation if:
• You were never baptized in another mainline Christian church;
• You were baptized but not raised or catechized in another
Christian
denomination;
• You have never participated regularly in a Christian faith
community
•
You do not feel that you understand the basic truths of the
Christian faith or feel
comfortable participating in a Christian
faith community;
•
You are interested in learning more about the Christian faith;
• You are interested, or decided to become, a Catholic Christian.
Generally, you should consider participation in
the Rite of Christian Reception if:
• You were baptized in another mainline Christian church;
• You were catechized and raised in a Christian faith tradition;
• You have participated regularly in a Christian faith community;
• You feel you have a good understanding of the basic truths of
the Christian faith
and feel comfortable participating in a
Christian faith community;
• You are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church;
• You are interested or have decided to join the Catholic Church.
About
Marriage and Initiation
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 RCIA or 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 RCIA or 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
Invalidity)
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 either the
RCIA or the RCRA.
_________________________________
For more information, contact the Director of Religious
Education
in one of the Waterloo parishes, or:
Director
of Adult Faith Formation
320 Mulberry Street, Waterloo IA 50703.
Phone: 319-234-9912
Email: <DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
Posted 12.18.07 •
Last Update 11.07.08
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