The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, RCIA, is the process of walking alongside folks who want to become Catholic and join the Church.
We have a large group discerning if this is the call God has for them. I’m asking all our parishioners of St. John and St. Joseph to please pray for our friends as they walk through this time; many of them are experiencing schedule conflicts, personal issues, doubts and concerns. It is typical that the enemy attacks during this stage; and we know that Light overcomes the darkness and brings clarity to confusion. But the attack is strong and needs prayer! In the fall we had over 40 people in the stage of learning and discerning (called the Catechumenate); currently almost 30 of them are still sure they want to celebrate the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Several are not sure. A few have left (at least for now!). Dozens more are inquiring; looking into the possibility without yet formally beginning.
Over the next several weeks as we get closer to Easter, we will have RCIA Dismissals, rotating between the various Masses at St. John on the weekend. The Candidates (baptized) and Catechumens (unbaptized) will leave the Mass after the homily to dig deeper into prayer and the Scripture until the time when they can join us at the Eucharistic Table! Please, please pray for them!