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What is RCIA?
RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which persons become fully initiated Catholics. RCIA is for adults:
- Who were never baptized.
- Who were baptized in another Christian faith and who wish to become Catholic.
- Who were baptized Catholics but were never confirmed.
RCIA meets weekly on Thursday's beginning in September. Sessions typically include prayer and instruction on some aspect of the Catholic faith.
Each RCIA candidate is paired with a parish sponsor who also attends the weekly sessions.
Candidates are initiated gradually through a series of liturgical rites. They receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, the highlight of the Church year.
RCIA Sponsorship
What does it take to be an RCIA sponsor?
- A desire to be a friend and companion during an important time in someone�s life.
- A commitment to the RCIA community and journey.
- An eagerness to learn that will benefit you and your candidate.
- Being a confirmed Catholic who regularly practices their faith and leads a life in harmony with the faith.
A sponsor attends the weekly RCIA sessions with each candidate or catechumen. He/she helps the newcomer to learn about the Catholic faith and about St. Mary's. You don�t have to be an expert on the Catholic faith, but you do have to be someone who values your Catholic faith and wants to share it with others. Through RCIA we are building people of faith into the Church, just as the apostles did!
Being an RCIA sponsor is a big commitment but it also offers big rewards. Besides helping someone join the church, you�ll make new friends, have fun, and learn a lot about your own Catholic faith!
When Are Sponsors Needed?
St. Mary�s asks sponsors to attend right from the start of RCIA. In the early sessions, sponsors help to provide a welcome to the newcomers. Many recent RCIA participants say that St. Mary�s spirit of friendly hospitality was an important factor in their decision to join the Church.
After about 8 weeks, RCIA participants who wish to seriously explore membership in the Catholic faith are paired with a parish sponsor. A candidate may ask you to serve as his/her sponsor or the RCIA team might match you with a candidate or catechumen who needs a sponsor.
Build up the Church as the apostles did -- Volunteer to be an RCIA Sponsor!
Contact Information
Fr. Shawn Monahan, OMV
519 East 4th Street
Alton, IL 62002
(618)465-4284
or
Carolyn Simansky
email her by clicking below
Carolyn Simansky
St. Mary's Parish
A parish community dedicated to helping
ordinary people connect faith and life regularly
Reference Links for RCIA classes
John Martignoni http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/download free MP3's for understanding and defending some of the most question beliefs of the Catholic Faith. "Where's that in the bible?" Well take a look or a listen and find out. Fr. Shawn Highly recommends it!
Catholic Answers, great Catholic resource www.catholic.com & www.catholic.org
Another Catholic Resource Web page: www.newadvent.org
Diocese of Springfield IL - www.dio.org
Source material for class handouts www.acmrcia.org
If someone asks you where they can buy our RCIA bible and there are none left in our bookstore: Click here for Amazon.com
Vatican Document on Instruction on the Holy Eucharist
Info and Lyrics for Fr. Stan Fortuna -www.francescoproductions.com
Fr. Stan is coming to St. Louis Click here for Concert Info May 3
Additional information following a very lively class:HUMANAE VITAE NFP, Contraception Why Not Gaudium et Spes NB: para # 47-52
Couple to Couple League secrets to a happy marriage - www.smartmarriages.com
Theology of the Body, Chris West - Conference info and more - www.bsps.org
Vocations: www.vocation.com
www.catholicexchange.com
More links from OMV web references
Just for kicks - Fr. Shawn's Photo Page & Ordination Photo's |
Be an RCIA Sponsor
Be a companion on the journey and deepen your own Catholic faith
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Sponsor's Prayer |
| God of all ages, you send out your Spirit to touch the hearts of people so that they may believe in you and in Jesus, whom you sent.
Look kindly on all catechumens and candidates as they listen to your voice. Open their hearts to your Spirit and bring to fulfillment the good work you have begun in them.
As I reach out to welcome new members into the church, make me an instrument of your love. Teach me to reverence what is holy in others, and to be patient with what I do not understand. Deepen my faith in the gospel, and help me to pass it on by good example. With those who are hesitant or afraid, let me be a source of encouragement. And with those who are weak, let me be a pillar of strength.
I humbly accept the ministry of sponsor and pray that you will continue to guide me and sustain me in welcoming new members into your household.
I praise you through Christ our Lord.
AMEN |
Old Schedule... new one coming ... |
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1st Class, 9/15 Is there anyone out there? Can you hear me now? Why Religion? Does God exist? Reasoning to Faith & Gift of Faith Introductions & Testimonies |
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2nd Class, 9/22 Where am I going? Looking for directions? Who is God? Trinity: A communion of persons Why Did God make/create me? Image and Likeness What is RCIA and RCIC? |
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3rd class, 9/29 Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places� Then why am I so messed up? Sin and the Fall What did God do for me? Jesus is the answer, the Paschal Mystery And the Angels Sing � The Heavenly Hosts |
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4th class, 10/6 AT&T: Reach out and touch Someone ;How do I know what He wants for me? Revelation, Scripture & Prayer |
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5th class, 10/13 Answering the Call; What do I do about it? Join yourself to His Church What is RCIA? the long answer &/OR common objections |
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6th class: 10/20 Does it matter which church? Time for a background check; The prime factor: Peter Apostolic Succession & Church Hierarchy |
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7th class, 10/27 Check out His Book: It�s a best seller! Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth: Sacred Scripture The Family Story: The Story of Our Salvation |
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8th class, 11/3 Tradition, Tradition! Did you know Scripture is part of Tradition? --Why do RC�s go to Mass every Sunday? The Meaning of the Mass |
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9th class, 11/10 Mi casa es su casa! A tour of our Church; Good to the Bone: Sacramentals & Relics |
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10th class, 11/17 Where are we going? The last stops on the line: The Last Four Things Can you give me an example to follow? Mary & the Saints |
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11th class, 12/1 Holes or Holiness Me, a saint? Yes, you too! Holiness: a universal call The Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Love |
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12th class, 12/8 Tell me more about this Woman: Something�s different about Mary The Liturgical Year |
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13th class, 12/15 Does God give me any suggestions to help clean up my life? The 10 Commandments are not 10 suggestions! The Cardinal Virtues and Virtues of Chastity & Humility |
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14th class, 12/22 Road trip!!!! Christmas Lights and Dinner at Our Lady of the Snows: Community, not just Jesus and me! |
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15th class, 1/5 Jesus must have had a computer, He always SAVES. The Sacramental Economy and Grace |
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16th class, 1/12 It�s not just a job, it�s a life adventure: Aim High! Holy Orders and the Consecrated Life |
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17th Class, 1/19 The spiritual energizer�how we keep on going and going � Called to a new life and strengthened in it�Baptism& Confirmation |
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18th class, 1/26 Oops, I did it again: What to do when I fall down; The Sacrament of Reconciliation & how to go to confession |
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19th class, 2/2 Is It Real or is It Wonder Bread? The Eucharist |
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20th class, 2/9 Why do bad things happen to good people? Anointing of the Sick |
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21st class, 2/16 The love connection: 2gether 4ever = success; Holy Matrimony & Family Life, what has happened to it? Parents, the primary educators of their children |
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22nd class, 2/23 �Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you� Creation & Life Issues, The Natural Law; Lent, the Period of Purification and Enlightenment |
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23rd class, 3/2 Let me tell you about the Birds and the Bees from God�s perspective Sexual Morality; Rite of Election: Stepping Out of the Boat |
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24th class, 3/9 God�s way � The natural way, Natural Family Planning. Co-creators |
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25th class, 3/16 Has anyone ever asked you if you wanted to be a priest? The Priesthood of the Faithful &Evangelization |
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26th class, 3/23 Big Daddy: The Our Father - a prayer of unity; Spiritual Life; Workshop on Reconciliation |
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27th class, 3/30 Holy Smoke & Holy Week; A review of The Creed; Meditation on the sacraments� church fathers. |
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28th class, 4/6 PRACTICE FOR EASTER VIGIL |
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29th class, 4/13 You have NO CLASS, go to MASS; Holy Thursday, go to Mass
4/15 Easter Vigil, please be in the Mary Ann Room at 6:45 |
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30th class, 4/20 Special surprise tonight |
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31th class, 4/27 You won�t believe what we are talking about tonight! Be there or be square. |
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32st Class, 5/4 Eternal and Earthly Banquets, A Celebration; Adoration at Sisters� Chapel and Dinner at Tony�s | |
Click here for detailed schedule
Contact us now
Classes are on Thursday, 7 PM
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stmarysalton at aol.com
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www.Stmarysalton.com
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