About

 The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults  (a.k.a. R.C.I.A)

**What is the RCIA?**
====The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person, which can be simplified into four formative pillars: Human (i.e. relationships, sexuality, social concerns, economy), Spiritual (i.e. prayer, liturgy, sacraments), Intellectual (i.e. appropriating the truth through reason), and Apostolic (i.e. being a witness to the world). This gradual development culminates in the celebration of the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter. Although this journey is experienced with others seeking membership in the Catholic Church, each individual has different needs and situations. For this reason, we make efforts to tailor the process for participants with unique circumstances. For more information please contact Matt Boettger at 720.564.1111 ext. 266. ====

**Period of Inquiry**
====The Inquiry sessions take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm beginning September 24th in the Catholic Center (1520 Euclid Ave). This period intends to awaken the faith of persons, through a dialogue between their own lives and the message of Christianity. It is a time for genuine questioning about the meaning of what life can be in Christ and how the Church provides that meaning. If the inquirer discovers the beginnings of a faith experience, he or she requests entrance into the Church. This entrance is celebrated with a public ritual that signifies a transition from initial inquiry to active involvement in preparation for the sacraments of initiation. ====

**Period of the Catechumenate**
====This period is marked by the combined __Rite of Welcoming and Rite of Acceptance__. The Catechumenate consists of the catechumens and candidates gathering to attend a weekend Mass. After the homily, they will be dismissed to //Break Open the Word// to reflect more deeply on the Sacred Scriptures. This reflection will conclude at the same time as the Mass. From this time on the Church embraces the catechumens and candidates as its own with a mother’s love and concern. Joined to the Church, the catechumens are now part of the household of Christ, since the Church nourishes them with the word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations. With this new identification in the Church, the catechumens and candidates continue their conversion through a deepening of the understanding and appreciation of faith. This is a time for systematic catechesis, as well as experiencing the total life of the Christian community. Catechumens and Candidates will attend a //catechesis presentation// once a week which will take place every Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Before beginning the next period, catechumens and candidates are asked to reaffirm their intention. On the basis of this intention and the testimony of sponsors and catechists, the Church judges their state of readiness and decides on their advancement toward the sacraments of initiation. This is expressed in the next major Rite which begins the third period of initiation. ====

**Period of Purification and Enlightenment**
====This period is marked by the __Rite of Election__: First or Second Sunday of Lent. This will be celebrated at a Morning Mass at St. Thomas with the Rite of Sending followed by the afternoon Rite of Election at the Cathedral in Denver To ritualize its election by God and its election of the catechumens for initiation, the community gathers at the beginning of Lent in solemn public assembly. This ritual includes a formal statement of intent by the catechumens, now called the elect. Candidates are recognized for their readiness to receive the sacraments at Easter. This third period corresponds to the liturgical season of Lent, as an opportunity for more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation. During Lent, the elect celebrate numerous scrutinies and presentations. The entire parish community renews its commitment to the Christian life be joining with the elect in reflecting on Scripture, as well as joining in prayer, fasting and works of charity. ====

**The** **Sacraments of Initiation**
====The sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) are celebrated during the Easter Vigil for all catechumens and on Easter Friday for all candidates. During the Easter Vigil the community gathers to hear the unfolding of the Christian story and to make holy the symbols for Christian living. Within this context, the faithful renew their own baptismal promises and the elect are baptized. The newly baptized then receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. To express the fundamental difference between the baptized and the unbaptized, those who have already been baptized will come into the Church on the following Friday after Easter. We at St. Thomas formally recognize the unique dignity afforded to all the baptized since they have in fact died with Christ through the sacramental seal of Baptism. ====

**Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis (Mystagogy)**
====The mysteries of Christ’s death and resurrection, celebrated liturgically during the Easter Vigil, are the basis for the ongoing formation of all Christians, particularly the newly initiated ones. These mysteries unite the faithful in a unique way during the fifty days from Easter to Pentecost. This final period is a reminder that the initiation process is not the end of becoming a Christian, but merely the beginning. ====

**Class Expectations**
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Each candidate or catechumen is required to attend all Tuesday classes, the two retreats, all Rites, our Sunday evening Mass at 6pm, and Breaking Open the Word (BOW) which occurs during the 6pm Mass. We know that life-circumstances can intrude during this process so one absence per semester is offered. All absences should be communicated to the director (Matt Boettger) prior to the event. __For each subsequent absence, the candidate and catechumen is asked to listen to the lecture online and to type up a one page summary of the class including any questions.__ The summary should be emailed to the director prior to the following class.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">If you are baptized and/or married, we ask that you provide us a copy of your baptismal certificate and/or marriage license for our records (see below in FAQ for more information on this). Please provide this to us as soon as possible as many people have a difficult time obtaining these certificates.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">__Please arrive on time to all events.__ Arriving ten minutes early allows for the opportunity to meet new people, catch up with friends, fill out a question to go into the Q&A box, fill out a prayer request to be inserted into the Prayer box, review the materials/hand outs for the class, or to get a snack before class begins.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">**RCIA Fee ($150 per person)** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">While in the past we have not assigned fees for RCIA, we have decided to offer a flat “fee” this year rather than trying to obtain smaller amounts of money piecemeal. The $150 goes toward paying for both retreats and additional supplies that you will receive throughout the process. You may pay all up front or you may choose to pay $75 a semester if you so choose. __Money should never be a consideration for joining RCIA, so please speak to the director if you cannot afford it as scholarships are available.__ //The first (or all) deposit is asked to be made by the end of October, and the remaining balance is requested to be paid off by the end of March.//