rciamain

Saint Teresa's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Home

Coordinator

Anne Baur
(718) 720-9636

Mission Statement

RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - a process where adults become full-fledged Catholics. Over a period of time those interested in learning what it means to be a Catholic Christian take part in weekly sessions where scripture, doctrine and tradition are explored and shared. Conversion and formation are celebrated with special rites, ceremonies and prayers. Guided by a team of clergy and laity, we keep in mind that it is God who invites and nourishes those who are seeking. This journey of faith will hopefully lead to the celebration of the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Liturgy. Our newest brothers and sisters are welcomed into our faith community with joy.

RCIA – COME AND SEE

Is there a friend, neighbor or family member who could use a special invitation to “come and see?” We have such a tremendous gift to share with others – our Faith. We invite anyone interested in learning more about the teachings and practice of our Catholic faith.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process of preparation for those who were never baptized and those baptized into another Christian community, who have a desire to become Catholics. It is also for baptized Catholics who have never received the Sacraments of Communion and/or Confirmation or those who just feel that their faith could be deepened and enriched and want to learn more. If you or some one you know is interested in finding out more about the RCIA process, please call the rectory and leave your name.

RCIA

The Papal visit is over and Our Holy Father is now back in Rome. Without a doubt his time spent among us was an inspiration to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Much more than any celebrity, Pope's Benedict's presence caused a great deal of interest and touched so many hearts. It was really a time of powerful witness to the faith we share. Have the special liturgies and ceremonies, the Pope's words and his presence prompted someone you know to become interested in knowing more about our Church?

Please extend an invitation to anyone who would like more information. Call the rectory and leave your name and phone number if there is someone who would be interested.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

We are planning to start with a new group of those interested in learning more about our Catholic faith. Is there a friend, neighbor or family member who could use a word of encouragement or a special invitation? All of us are God's messengers and the most important ingredient in inviting candidates is individual, personal contact. Anyone never baptized or who has never received the Sacraments Penance, Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation is invited to call the rectory and leave their name. We will be happy to welcome them and walk the fascinating journey of faith with them.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

What is a Catechumen? In the early church those who wanted to follow Christ would gather in the ancient catacombs to hear His words, learn His ways and join in faith. Today the word “Catechumen” refers to those who have the desire to belong to our community of faith in the Catholic Church. There are other adults in the process of formation, called 'Candidates.' They were baptized as children but never had the opportunity to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation. This formation not only involves learning about the teachings and traditions of the Church, but most importantly, getting to know Jesus and His salvation. Through exploring the meaning of the Scriptures, through prayer and being open to the invitation to “come and see,” and getting to know other Catholics they can come to discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the Church. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
Catechumenate. During the time of the Catechumenate, candidates will be learning more about growing in their relationship with God through prayer, especially liturgical prayer and singing hymns. We’ll be discussing various ways people pray both individually and together as a community of believers. As this time of formation progresses, they’ll have opportunities to pray using different styles. And they’ll get to experience devotional practices such as praying the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, praying with Scripture and meditation. As they grow in their prayer life, they will be asked to pray for you and all your intentions.Please continue to ask God to bless them on this journey.

The Rite of Sending

Our Catechumens and Candidates have been learning and deepening their experience of God’s tremendous love and power in their lives and in our parish family. Now we are approaching an important phase in their journey of faith, Lent. This is the time of their final preparation for the sacraments they hope to receive at the Easter Vigil.
On the first Sunday of Lent at the 11:00 Mass, we will celebrate the Rite of Sending with our two Catechumens, Johcalyn and Danielle. This Rite is a preparation for the Rite of Election at St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Cardinal Egan will welcome them, their godparents and all the other Catechumens from the Archdiocese. After this Rite they will be called “the Elect.”
On the second Sunday of Lent at the 11:00 Mass, we will celebrate the Rite of Sending with our five Candidates, Cynthia, MaryJane, Sean, Brian and Justin. This Rite is a preparation for the Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion at St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Cardinal Egan will welcome all those Candidates already baptized from the Archdiocese and their sponsors. Please keep them, their godparents and the RCIA Team in your prayers.

The Lenten season is a time of reconciliation, prayer and renewal for the whole Church.
As we prepare for Easter we can all grow in the realization of God’s unfailing love for us. Along with the Elect and our five Candidates, we’re all invited to look inward to examine any attitudes or lifestyles that may get in the way of our relationship with God.
We also examine those virtues and gifts of God which can help us. We look inward then, to strengthen all that is good and remove all that is harmful or sinful.
The Scrutinies are special prayers for those who will receive the Easter sacraments. We pray that they are delivered from the power of evil and that they be given the strength to be faithful to the gospel.

The days of Lent are slipping by. And those who are preparing for the Easter sacraments are in a 40 day ‘retreat’. They will be taking part in a special Retreat Day for all the other Elect, Candidates and Sponsors on March 15 at Holy Rosary Parish and a Morning of Recollection here at St. Teresa’s on Holy Saturday in preparation for receiving the Easter Sacraments.

This is a special time of prayer and reflection for them and for all of us. It’s called a period of purification and enlightenment. As a community of faith, let us continue to pray that they are freed from the power of sin and are open to the life of grace Jesus shares with us in every sacrament. They are eager to follow Him in the Catholic faith, to be confirmed in the Holy Spirit and to receive Holy Eucharist for the first time.

	Saint Teresa's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Home				Coordinator Anne Baur (718) 720-9636

	Mission Statement
	RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - a process where adults become full-fledged Catholics. Over a period of time those interested in learning what it means to be a Catholic Christian take part in weekly sessions where scripture, doctrine and tradition are explored and shared. Conversion and formation are celebrated with special rites, ceremonies and prayers. Guided by a team of clergy and laity, we keep in mind that it is God who invites and nourishes those who are seeking. This journey of faith will hopefully lead to the celebration of the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Liturgy. Our newest brothers and sisters are welcomed into our faith community with joy.



					RCIA – COME AND SEE Is there a friend, neighbor or family member who could use a special invitation to “come and see?” We have such a tremendous gift to share with others – our Faith. We invite anyone interested in learning more about the teachings and practice of our Catholic faith. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process of preparation for those who were never baptized and those baptized into another Christian community, who have a desire to become Catholics. It is also for baptized Catholics who have never received the Sacraments of Communion and/or Confirmation or those who just feel that their faith could be deepened and enriched and want to learn more. If you or some one you know is interested in finding out more about the RCIA process, please call the rectory and leave your name. RCIA The Papal visit is over and Our Holy Father is now back in Rome. Without a doubt his time spent among us was an inspiration to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Much more than any celebrity, Pope's Benedict's presence caused a great deal of interest and touched so many hearts. It was really a time of powerful witness to the faith we share. Have the special liturgies and ceremonies, the Pope's words and his presence prompted someone you know to become interested in knowing more about our Church? Please extend an invitation to anyone who would like more information. Call the rectory and leave your name and phone number if there is someone who would be interested.




	The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults We are planning to start with a new group of those interested in learning more about our Catholic faith. Is there a friend, neighbor or family member who could use a word of encouragement or a special invitation? All of us are God's messengers and the most important ingredient in inviting candidates is individual, personal contact. Anyone never baptized or who has never received the Sacraments Penance, Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation is invited to call the rectory and leave their name. We will be happy to welcome them and walk the fascinating journey of faith with them.











	The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults What is a Catechumen? In the early church those who wanted to follow Christ would gather in the ancient catacombs to hear His words, learn His ways and join in faith. Today the word “Catechumen” refers to those who have the desire to belong to our community of faith in the Catholic Church. There are other adults in the process of formation, called 'Candidates.' They were baptized as children but never had the opportunity to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation. This formation not only involves learning about the teachings and traditions of the Church, but most importantly, getting to know Jesus and His salvation. Through exploring the meaning of the Scriptures, through prayer and being open to the invitation to “come and see,” and getting to know other Catholics they can come to discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the Church. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Catechumenate. During the time of the Catechumenate, candidates will be learning more about growing in their relationship with God through prayer, especially liturgical prayer and singing hymns. We’ll be discussing various ways people pray both individually and together as a community of believers. As this time of formation progresses, they’ll have opportunities to pray using different styles. And they’ll get to experience devotional practices such as praying the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, praying with Scripture and meditation. As they grow in their prayer life, they will be asked to pray for you and all your intentions.Please continue to ask God to bless them on this journey.




	The Rite of Sending Our Catechumens and Candidates have been learning and deepening their experience of God’s tremendous love and power in their lives and in our parish family. Now we are approaching an important phase in their journey of faith, Lent. This is the time of their final preparation for the sacraments they hope to receive at the Easter Vigil. On the first Sunday of Lent at the 11:00 Mass, we will celebrate the Rite of Sending with our two Catechumens, Johcalyn and Danielle. This Rite is a preparation for the Rite of Election at St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Cardinal Egan will welcome them, their godparents and all the other Catechumens from the Archdiocese. After this Rite they will be called “the Elect.” On the second Sunday of Lent at the 11:00 Mass, we will celebrate the Rite of Sending with our five Candidates, Cynthia, MaryJane, Sean, Brian and Justin. This Rite is a preparation for the Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion at St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Cardinal Egan will welcome all those Candidates already baptized from the Archdiocese and their sponsors. Please keep them, their godparents and the RCIA Team in your prayers.







	The Lenten season is a time of reconciliation, prayer and renewal for the whole Church. As we prepare for Easter we can all grow in the realization of God’s unfailing love for us. Along with the Elect and our five Candidates, we’re all invited to look inward to examine any attitudes or lifestyles that may get in the way of our relationship with God. We also examine those virtues and gifts of God which can help us. We look inward then, to strengthen all that is good and remove all that is harmful or sinful. The Scrutinies are special prayers for those who will receive the Easter sacraments. We pray that they are delivered from the power of evil and that they be given the strength to be faithful to the gospel.




	The days of Lent are slipping by. And those who are preparing for the Easter sacraments are in a 40 day ‘retreat’. They will be taking part in a special Retreat Day for all the other Elect, Candidates and Sponsors on March 15 at Holy Rosary Parish and a Morning of Recollection here at St. Teresa’s on Holy Saturday in preparation for receiving the Easter Sacraments. This is a special time of prayer and reflection for them and for all of us. It’s called a period of purification and enlightenment. As a community of faith, let us continue to pray that they are freed from the power of sin and are open to the life of grace Jesus shares with us in every sacrament. They are eager to follow Him in the Catholic faith, to be confirmed in the Holy Spirit and to receive Holy Eucharist for the first time.