Justin Taylor receives the Sacraments of Initiation at the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on April 3, 2021.
CONGRATULATIONS to Justin Taylor, who became full initiated at the Easter Vigil Mass, when he was baptized, confirmed, and received his First Holy Communion. Justin has now entered the period of Mystagogy, when he reflects on the "mysteries" or sacraments that he has received and moves ever more deeply into union with Christ and His Church.
We ask that you pray for and support the people who are currently in the RCIA program: Charlotte Meyer-Fuchs, who will be receiving all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass 2022, and Ed Eulas, who will be completing his initation with Confirmation and First Holy Communion sometime in the Easter Season 2022 (between Easter Sunday and Pentecost).
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which the Catholic faith community welcomes those who wish to become full members of the Catholic Church. It is designed primarily for those who have never been baptized. It functions in a secondary capacity for:
those who were baptized in another Christian tradition
baptized Catholics who did not receive Eucharist and/or Confirmation
The RCIA process facilitates a person’s journey with God and spiritual formation in the context of a welcoming faith community as he or she learns more about Scripture, Catholic beliefs and traditions, Catholic worship, and him/herself. The goal of the RCIA is to establish a living relationship with Jesus Christ -- that is, to make disciples. Catholics typically do this through regular reception of the sacraments, conforming their lives to the Gospel, experiencing the bonds of community with fellow believers, and putting their faith into action via charitable works and forms of service.
The RCIA experience can vary from one person to another in terms of the length of time it takes to complete the process. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to the RCIA because it is about the spiritual formation of the individual, and since people come to the program with different backgrounds, needs, expectations, stories, and levels of religious instruction, and because the program can accommodate both the unbaptized (participants are called catechumens) and the baptized (participants are called candidates), there is a necessary element of flexibility and adaptation.
It is highly recommended that you contact us to discuss your particular situation and what the RCIA process would involve for you based on your circumstances. In general terms we can at least say that the program involves...
...regular meetings that are usually held on Monday nights from 7:00-8:15pm, and from September until May;
...some rites that are celebrated in the context of Mass and the parish community;
...at least one rite that is celebrated at the Cathedral-Basilica in Newark;
...the candidate's decision to make a commitment to the process of faith formation.
If you are drawn to the Catholic faith, or if you would simply like to learn more about the RCIA program, please contact our Pastoral Associate, Joel S. Peters, by phone at 201-337-7596, ext. 315, or by e-mail here.