NEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DIRECTOR!
Fr. Jim, Pastor, is pleased to announce that parishioners Lyn Willard and Kathryn Connolly have agreed to serve as the new Co-Directors of our CCD – Religious Education Classes. We are most grateful to them for dedicating their time and talents for our Sunday morning Religious Education classes.
ST. JOHN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The St. John Church Religious Education Program will commence for the 2009 – 2010 year on Sunday, September 13th, 2009. All children in Grades 1 – 8 will have religious education classes every Sunday from 9 – 9:45 AM. This is a perfect opportunity to send your child to religious education class immediately following or before Sunday Mass! Confirmation Students: Classes will be held on scheduled Mondays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Your schedule is forthcoming. To enroll your child in Religious Education classes for the 2009-2010 school year, please pick up a form at the front of the Church today, fill it out, and return it to the Parish Office at 19 St. John Square, Middletown, CT 06457.
The Religious Education Program is looking for volunteers to help teach CCD classes on Sundays at 9:00 AM in the School. Classes last for 45 minutes. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Lyn Willard, Director of Religious Education, at 462-7574.
ADULTS NEEDING SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION – RCIA.
RCIA WITH DEACON JOHN – NOVEMBER 15th If you are 18 and older and are thinking about joining the Catholic Church or making any of your sacraments, Deacon John Hancock will be holding classes for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) starting in November. Those who are interested can contact Deacon John at 860-995-4760.
Any adults (18 and over) who are interested in preparing to receive any Sacraments are asked to contact the Rectory. Candidates must show ability to live Catholic Faith. We will do all we can to help you achieve your initiation at Easter Vigil.
What Is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a formal program of catechetical instruction, prayer and spirituality, and liturgies - whereby adults are formally admitted into the Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Catechumens – Those who have never been baptized
Candidates – those who have been baptized in other Christian denominations, whose baptism is recognized as valid, or those who have been baptized in the Catholic Church but have never learned or practiced their faith.
The process lasts from your first phone call thru receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday- the night before Easter). Sessions begin in September. Catechumens and candidates will learn about the faith, share with each other, and ask questions. It is a time when an individual makes the initial commitment to pursue the faith.
Process Highlights: During the course of the RCIA program, the catechumen or candidate follows a spiritual journey of “steps”.
Catechumenate
When a person has decided to join the Catholic Church, he or she enters the Catechumenate phase. This begins with a Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, and can be combined with a Rite of Welcoming for candidates. They meet at Mass to hear the Word of God proclaimed and declare their intent to be received into full communion with the church.
In addition to attending Mass, weekly sessions offer opportunities to: Learn more about the sacred Scriptures and the doctrines of the Church Learn about a life of prayer and worship life Develop a relationship with the Catholic Christian
Community Learn how to live and serve others in apostolic witness. This period ends with the Rite of Election which takes place early in Lent. Catechumen’s name is inscribed in the Book of the Elect Period of Purification and Enlightenment. The final, intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.
Candidates commit to continuing conversion Catechumens participate in three purifying rituals, known as the Scrutinies, which strengthen the elect and help to complete their conversion. At this time we have the presentation of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer It is a time for reflection and prayer more than teaching This period is concluded with the Sacraments of Initiation to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
Mystagogy
Final period of Chrisian initiation. It continues through the Easter Season until Pentecost. New Catholics: Deepen their grasp of the paschal mystery. Make it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the Eucharist and doing works of charity.
Is This for Me?
God calls each of us at different times in our lives. Faith is a personal journey that only you can decide you are ready for. Hopefully, this information will answer some of your questions about the RCIA process.
Please call the rectory for more information at 347-5626.,
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