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Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
 

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair.  We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” Pope John Paul II

 

What is RCIA?

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.   It is a journey of faith, a chance for each to discover more about who I am as a son or daughter of a gracious and loving God.  In this Parish the invitation to travel the journey is extended to both Catholics and non Catholics.

 

What is the Christian mystery?

The wonderful works of God among the people of the Old Testament were but a prelude to the work of Christ the Lord in redeeming mankind and giving perfect glory to God. He accomplished this work principally by the Paschal mystery of his blessed Passion, Resurrection from the dead, and glorious Ascension, whereby ‘dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life’.

 

If the above paragraph strikes a note within you or leaves your heart and mind wanting more then this journey may be for you.  It is an opportunity to have questions answered and discover truths.  It doesn’t cost anything except your time, and you will be accompanied by a group of dedicated and friendly people who will travel this journey of faith discovery with you.

 

What is involved?

One and a half hours, one night a week. The RCIA journey generally takes from July to Easter the following year culminating in, for those who wish to become Catholic, a ceremony during the Easter Vigil Mass when the sacraments are given.  The meetings take place every Wednesday night from 7.30pm to 9pm (with breaks during school holidays and Christmas) with an invitation for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards.

 

The format for the evening is generally to discuss the upcoming Sunday gospel and then a publication called ‘At Home with God’s People’ is used to assist in the journey.  Other matters will also be canvassed as indicated in the ‘Time Table of Meetings for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults’.  In this way members of the group have an understanding of what is happening in the life of their Church as they travel on their journey.

 

If you feel that you may be interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact the Parish office during business hours on:

Phone: (02) 95254-7283    E-mail: olofcar@bigpond.net.au

 

“So I went forward in my life, and thanks to God, the Lord has always taken me by the hand, guided me even in difficult situations.” Pope Benedict XVI

 

Time Table of Meetings for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

 

Date

Topic

Events/Feast days

5/8/09

Pg 9:     In search of God

6/8:  Transfiguration of the Lord

12/8/09

Pg 15: Prayer

              And discussion on Assumption & Holy days of obligation

15/8:  Assumption of Mary

            (Holy day of obligation)

19/8/09

Pg 61:   Mary, Mother of the Church

22/8:      Queenship of Mary

26/8/09

Pg 23: The Bible: The Word of God

29/8: Beheading of John the Baptist

2/9/09

Pg 29: The Bible and the Church

8/9:  Birth of Virgin Mary

9/9/09

Pg 37: The God of Revelation

              Discussion of upcoming feasts

14/9: Triumph of the Cross

15/9: Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

16/9/09

Pg 43: The Birth of the Church.

21/9:  Matthew (Apostle)

29/9: Archangels

23/9/09

Pg 49: The Church: God’s People

 

30/9/09

              Discussion on Marian               apparitions,, Rosary and               Angels.

            Apparitions of Mary.

            Rosary prayer

2/10:      Guardian Angels

7/10:  Our Lady of the Rosary

 

Break for School Holidays

 

21/10/09

Pg 55: Peter and the Church

 

28/10/09

              Discussion on Grace, Saints, Sin, Martyrs & upcoming feast days.

 

            Litany of the Saints.

28/10:         Simon & Jude (Apostles)

1/11:  All Saints Day

2/11: All Souls Day

04/11/09

Pg 69: The Sacraments of the Church

 

11/11/09

Pg 77: The life of faith

Pg 81: The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism and Confirmation

 

18/11/09

Pg 89: The Sacraments of Initiation: Eucharist

21/11:     Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

22/11:         Feast of Christ the King

25/11/09

              Discussion on Advent

29/11:         1st of 4 weeks of Advent
30/11:         Andrew (Apostle)

2/12/09

Pg 95: The Structure of the Mass

            Tour of Church

6/12: 2nd week of Advent

8/12:  Solemnity of Immaculate Conception

9/12/09

Pg 101:       Sin and Forgiveness

              Discussion on upcoming events

13/12:     3rd week of Advent

25/12:         Christmas Day

       (Holy Day of Obligation)

27/12:         Feast of the Holy Family

27/12:     John (Apostle)
28/12:         Holy Innocence (Martyrs)

1/1:    Solemnity of Mary Mother of God

6/1:    Epiphany of the Lord

10/1: Baptism of the Lord

25/1:  Conversion of St Paul

2/2:    Presentation of the Lord

 

Break for School Holidays

 

3/2/10

Pg 115:       Priesthood

 

10/2/10

              Discussion on upcoming events

                                  Stations of the Cross

            6 weeks of Lent

16/2: Shrove Tuesday

17/2: Ash Wednesday

17/2/10

Pg 109:       Marriage

 

21/2: Rite of Election (St Mary’s Cathedral)

21/2: 1st Sunday of Lent

Scrutinies:   3rd, 4th & 5th Sundays of Lent

24/2/10

Pg 123:       Anointing of the Sick.

27/2: Feast of the Crown of Thorns

28/2: 2nd Sunday of Lent

3/3/10

Pg 127:       Ministry and Mission

       7/3:    1st Scrutiny & 3rd Sunday of Lent

10/3/10

Pg 133:       The Moral Law

14/3: 2nd Scrutiny & 4th Sunday of Lent

17/3/10

Pg 139:       Law and Freedom

21/3: 3rd Scrutiny & 5th Sunday of Lent

19/3: Solemnity of Joseph, Husband of Mary

24/3/10

Pg 147: Authority and Obedience

25/3: Solemnity Annunciation of the Lord

28/3: Palm Sunday

31/3/10

              Discussion and preparation for upcoming Easter events (Easter Triduum)

              Reflection on past events

1/4:    Holy Thursday – Candidates carry oils

2/4:    Good Friday – Passion play

3/4:    Holy Saturday – Morning retreat, evening Mass

4/4:    Passion Sunday

 

Break for School Holidays

 

21/4/10

Pg 153:       Social Justice

 

28/4/10

Pg 163:       Care of the Planet

 

5/5/10

Pg 169:       The Last Things

 

12/5/10

              Rosary Prayer

            Go over the Rosary and discussions

19/5/10

              Discussion on Ascension.

16/5: Ascension of the Lord

26/5/10

              Discussion on Pentecost

23/5:  Pentecost

 

 

 

???

Next Enquiry Night

 

Please note:

 

  1. Topics may change as required during the course due to church calendar events.

  2. There will be a special initiation at St. Mary’s Cathedral for candidates during Lent 2010 – this date will be given to you for your diaries as soon as we have it.

 

  1. If you are unable to attend some evenings, or have any queries, please contact :
    Fr Kerry @ Parish Office    Phone: (02) 95254-7283

 

To guide and assist you on your journey, an excellent publication called ‘At Home With God’s People’ is provided to every person who undertakes this journey.

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