R.C.I.A. ‘JOURNEY IN FAITH’ – (Cheltenham Deanery communities)
Welcome to the Journey in Faith - otherwise often known as 'RCIA", for the Cheltenham Deanery.
RCIA
RCIA are the initials for the Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults. This refers to a number of liturgical rites, which mark various stages in the journey in faith. Each of these stages has a panel below for you to explore. You may be at any point on this journey - RCIA is for you. Life time Catholics (baptised as infants, perhaps receiving the sacraments in youth and continually since then) are still welcome to join the journey, as are those who are simply curious about the Catholic church, its faith, and where do they fit in?
Please have a look at the information on each stage, and decide where you feel you might begin. It is important to note that this journey in faith is likely to take several years - this is not a one year course at the end of which you pass or fail and become (or not) a Catholic. It is also quite likely, if you have read this far, that you have spent several years journeying and now want to explore this faith more deeply.
RCIA Stages
RCIA - Rite of Acceptance
After their initial period of enquiry, some people may feel they wish to become a Catholic, although they may not feel ready or able to be a full member of the Catholic Church just yet. They will have accepted the way of Jesus Christ but are not necessarily ready or willing to believe all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches. After a discussion with your Parish Priest, you may be invited to take part in the Rite of Acceptance. The Rite of Acceptance is usually celebrated on a Sunday shortly before Christmas and marks your end of the pre-catechumenate phase.The Catechumenate
This is the time of the journey of Faith that most resembles a course - in that there is a commitment to attend the 9 scheduled evening meetings. It is normal to expect that you will also attend Mass weekly and we hope that you might begin to take an active part in parish life - from coffee after Mass to singing in a choir - there are many ways that you might do this. The meetings will be on Thursdays between Christmas and the start of Lent - so there are about one every week - and take a common format:- Reading and preparing beforehand (resources will be located on the website)
- Opening Prayers
- After a welcoming drink, a short talk, sometimes this might be a video.
- Discussions - prompted by questions from the leader.
- Sugestions for reading and preparing for next time.
- Closing Prayers
Sponsors (God Parents)
God-Parents are already confirmed Catholics, who travel with you on your journey of faith. They will also need to attend the meetings in the catechumenate phase, and you should have already identified them while in your enquiry phase. They are often people who themselves have in recent years travelled the same RCIA journey. They may also be catholic friends of yours, your spouse or parents. Their purpose is to help you in discussion to explore the topics that are presented to you at each of the meetings. Later at the RCIA Rite of Election, they testify to your readiness to be confirmed in the Catholic Faith.RCIA Rite of Election
Every year the Bishop invites those on this journey of faith to attend a Rite of Election at the Cathedral in Bristol. This is usually on the first Saturday of Lent, and should not be missed. Before you are invited, you will need to have a conversation with the RCIA leader and/or your Parish Priest, to help you decide if this is the right path for you, at this time. There is no harm in deciding to defer for a year, if you do not feel confident yet. This rite marks the end of your catechumenate and you become one of the elect.The Elect
For the few short weeks of Lent, you are a member of the Elect. There are rites to be celebrated in your Parish on Sunday Masses called Scrutinies which sounds worse than it is! Really this is a time of prayerful preparation for you, and your Parish community needs to know that you are thinking of joining them and they will pray for you at the scrutinies.Lent
Lent is a time of special preparation and reflection on baptism not only for our candidates but also for all Catholics throughout the world. Three special rites, called Scrutinies, are celebrated in the run up to Easter, during which the elect are called to experience the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in their own lives, and to scrutinize their lives in light of the Gospel. It is a joyful season of growth. Each week of Lent has another Thursday evening session, at which you will learn about some of the more particular aspects of life as a Catholic - for example how the Liturgical year is organised and what the components of a church are for. But perhaps most importantly the aspect of building your prayer life. We will offer, and highly recommend, a day retreat for you during this time. During this time you decide if you wish to proceed to the next step - that of initiation into the Catholic church.RCIA - The Rites of Initiation
After sunset on the eve of Easter Sunday, your parish gathers at the Church for the Easter Vigil. We celebrate Christ’s giving light to the world through his resurrection from death, we hear proclaimed the story of our salvation through several scripture readings. Those who are ready are baptised (if they have not previously been baptised) and confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time. It is the most important and most joyous celebration in the whole Church year.Mystagogia - the journey in faith continues
Your reception into the Catholic church at Easter is not the end - indeed in many ways although in important step this is just the beginning. The fourth stage of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is called “mystagogy,” from the Greek words meaning “to lead through the mysteries.” Traditionally, mystagogy extends throughout the Easter season until the feast of Pentecost. This is a period of accompaniment for new Catholics as they discover what it means to fully participate in the sacramental mysteries of the Church.Neophytes
The newly baptized are called “neophytes,” from the Greek words meaning “new plant,” because the faith has been newly planted in them. Even though their catechetical preparation has been completed, they still have much to learn about what it means to live as Catholic Christians. During Mystagogy, new Catholics will reflect on their experience of conversion, learn more about the Church, and consider how they might get involved in ministry and outreach. Neophytes will need the ongoing support of the community so that the faith newly planted in them can grow deep roots. In Cheltenham this will take the form of attending talks and discussion groups - the same discussion groups as next year's enquirers attend. You may have some of the answers now, and you are likely to hear new questions that you had not thought of yourself. A Life in Faith is full of questions and seeking for answers.If you are interested in RCIA, please complete this contact form.
DATES
Date | Title |
27/07/23 | Searching? And RCIA overview |
31/08/23 | Who is God? And RCIA overview |
14/09/23 | Creation : God in the World |
28/09/23 | Who is Jesus? |
05/10/23 | God is Love |
19/10/23 | What is Church? |
09/11/23 | The power of Prayer |
23/11/23 | Revelation and Faith |
14/12/23 | Sacred Scripture |
17/12/23 | RCIA rite of acceptance |
11/01/24 | The Holy Spirit |
18/01/24 | Mary and the communion of saints |
25/01/24 | How Catholics use Scripture |
08/02/24 | The Creed |
17/02/24 | RCIA Rite – Presentations |
22/02/24 | The Community of the Church |
02/03/24 | Rite of Election at Clifton |
07/03/24 | Overview of Sacramnents |
14/03/24 | The Eucharist |
21/03/24 | The Easter Tridum – Liturgy |
30/03/24 | Easter Vigil – Rites of Baptism and Confirmation |
31/03/24 | Easter Sunday |
25/04/24 | Mystagogia |
30/05/24 | Mystagogia |
25/07/24 | Searching? And RCIA overview |
29/08/24 | Who is God? And RCIA overview |
RCIA meetings – further readings and media
- Journey in Faith – moving on to CatechumenateBy John Andrews
- PrayerBy John AndrewsThe accompanying Video for this evenings meeting is […]
- What is Love? RCIA journey in faith meeting October 5thBy John AndrewsGod is Love Fr Pat led us this evening into an […]
- RCIA Journey in Faith Meeting 28th September 2023By John AndrewsWho is Jesus? At this session, we explored the […]
Stations of Creation
By John AndrewsAs part of this years Season of Creation – a […]- RCIA – Journey in Faith Meeting 31 AugustBy John AndrewsMeeting 31 August at 19:00 RCIA Journey in Faith […]