RCIA
The faith community at Our Lady Queen of Peace joyfully welcomes all!
Those who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church and with us. The RCIA program, which begins in September, is designed to offer those interested the opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith and to grow in relationship with Christ and one’s fellow sisters and brothers.
RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for Anyone who:
The RCIA program, which begins in September, is designed to offer those interested the opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith and to grow in relationship with Christ and one’s fellow sisters and brothers.
RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for Anyone who:
• is not baptized
• is a baptized Christian and wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church
• is a baptized Catholic who has not yet received all of the sacraments of initiation, i.e., Eucharist and Confirmation
Please contact Fr. Patrick Besel or Barry Shadrach at 410-686-3085 or wbshadrach@aim.com or by filling out the form below.
RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for Anyone who:
- is not baptized
- is a baptized Christian and wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church
- is a baptized Catholic who has not yet received all of the sacraments of initiation, i.e., Eucharist and Confirmation
The RCIA program, which begins in September, is designed to offer those interested the opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith and to grow in relationship with Christ and one’s fellow sisters and brothers.
RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for Anyone who:
• is not baptized
• is a baptized Christian and wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church
• is a baptized Catholic who has not yet received all of the sacraments of initiation, i.e., Eucharist and Confirmation
Please contact Fr. Patrick Besel or Barry Shadrach at 410-686-3085 or wbshadrach@aim.com or by filling out the form below.
For More Information on our RCIA Program please fill out the form below.
A program for those who wish to become Catholic supported by those who already are!
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby persons can explore the action of God in their lives that is leading to conversion. Fundamentally, this conversion involves growing into a greater knowledge of, and deeper relationship with, Jesus Christ and his saving death and resurrection. RCIA is celebrated with the Church’s rituals, and culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil.
As they become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church through the RCIA, women and men are empowered for lives of service and charity as witnesses to the Kingdom of God.
The experience of the RCIA takes place within the context of a Catholic Christian community, the parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace. It is into our Church that participants in the RCIA are initiated.
For whom is the RCIA intended?
The RCIA facilitates the process of conversion and respects the individual’s journey of faith within the community. Three groups of individuals are welcomed to be part of the RCIA process:
What are the stages of the RCIA?
There are several stages in the RCIA process. Each one signifies a further growth in the individual’s relationship with the Lord and with the Church
What are the expectations of the RCIA?
For candidates:
For the Parish Community:
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby persons can explore the action of God in their lives that is leading to conversion. Fundamentally, this conversion involves growing into a greater knowledge of, and deeper relationship with, Jesus Christ and his saving death and resurrection. RCIA is celebrated with the Church’s rituals, and culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil.
As they become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church through the RCIA, women and men are empowered for lives of service and charity as witnesses to the Kingdom of God.
The experience of the RCIA takes place within the context of a Catholic Christian community, the parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace. It is into our Church that participants in the RCIA are initiated.
For whom is the RCIA intended?
The RCIA facilitates the process of conversion and respects the individual’s journey of faith within the community. Three groups of individuals are welcomed to be part of the RCIA process:
- Unbaptized adults
- Adults who have been baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Catholic adults who were never raised in the Catholic tradition or never confirmed.
What are the stages of the RCIA?
There are several stages in the RCIA process. Each one signifies a further growth in the individual’s relationship with the Lord and with the Church
- The Inquiry Stage: A time to explore the movements of faith in an informal setting. (A 4-6 week period.)
- The Catechumenate: A more formal period of formation which follows one’s formal acceptance as a Catechumen (“un-baptized”) or Candidate (‘already baptized”)? (A 4-5 month period.)
- The Period of Enlightenment: The immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. (A 6-week period during Lent.)
- The Celebration of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy: A time to “explain the Mysteries” experienced at the Easter Vigil through Pentecost.
- At Our Lady Queen of Peace, the RCIA process generally lasts from September through April.
What are the expectations of the RCIA?
For candidates:
- A desire to learn more about the Christian faith and the Catholic Church
- Attendance at weekly RCIA meetings
- Regular meetings with a sponsor
- During the catechumenate, weekly attendance at Sunday Eucharist
For the Parish Community:
- A desire to welcome and help new members
- A willingness to examine the community’s commitment to living the Gospel
- A willingness to share its faith experiences with new members
- A willingness to serve as sponsors for new candidates
- A willingness to keep the RCIA program in its prayer
