Religious Education
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RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA at Risen Christ At Church of the Risen Christ, the RCIA formally gathers from late September through mid May on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00. (When necessary, child care is provided in our early childhood room.) Each Wednesday we explore a different topic with lecture/discussion led by one of the RCIA team members. The team consists of Msgr. Ken Leone, Fr. Larry Christianson, Debi Wyatt-Jamison and others. We also meet for two prayer mornings on Saturdays during the year, and beginning in December, we gather during either the 4:00, 9:00 or 11:00 Mass for Scripture study. Rather than a textbook, we use a variety of handouts called “Catholic Updates”. RCIA members and sponsors are asked to read the brief handouts between weekly sessions and come prepared with questions for discussion. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Debi Jamison at the parish office, 303-758-8826 ext. 107.2010-2011 RCIA Schedule The Rite of Christian Initiation a brief history The Rite of Christian Initiation is an ancient rite that dates back to the 1st century. In the early Church, persons wanting to become Christian lived in a small Christian community to learn their way of life. There was a structured apprenticeship of the person in training. This process became known as the "catechumenate". After sometimes years of learning and praying with the community, the person (called a catechumen) was baptized by the community into Christ. By the fifth century, the catechumenate began to dissolve because Christianity had been legalized in 315 A.D. by the emperor Constantine and large numbers of people had become Christians. Infant baptism became the norm. Revival of the catechumenate came about as a result of the Second Vatican Council, which called for it to be reinstated. In 1988, the U.S. bishops mandated that the Rite of Christian Initiation be implemented in all parishes. Today, the RCIA is the normative way of forming new disciples of Jesus Christ and welcoming new members to the Catholic church. The process of RCIA Catholics believe the journey of faith is lifelong and ongoing process of conversion. We are all constantly being challenged to live a Christian life. New life in Christ is a gradual journey of many steps and stages. The RCIA has four formal stages with key rites or ritual actions along the way. The four stages are the pre-catechumanate, catechumenate, Lenten period of purification and period of mystagogia. A sponsor and a team of parishioners and staff accompany those who participate in the process. People who have never been baptized in any Christian denomination are referred to as "catechumens". Those who were baptized in a Christian denomination but now which to make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church are called "candidates". Thirdly, the RCIA involves those who were baptized Catholic but never received any formal training or other sacraments of the faith. The pre-catechumenate This stage is a time of inquiry. It begins formally when a person calls the parish to ask about becoming Catholic, but it really begins when a person first hears the Good News of Jesus Christ. Usually a friend, family member, co-worker or spouse has shared their Catholic faith with the individual and they in turn want to know more. During this first phase the parish helps the inquirer to discern what it is they are truly seeking. It is a time to learn more about the Catholic faith but not necessarily make a commitment. The Rite of Acceptance is the first major ritual celebrated during the RCIA. Usually celebrated during Sunday Mass, the rite includes the public welcome of the inquirers by the parish. They declare their intention to continue on the faith journey and are accepted into the Order of the Catechumens. This completes the pre-catechumenate stage. The catechumenate The second phase or step of the initiation process is an extended period of time when those to be initiated receive more formal training in the Catholic Christian way of life. During this stage, they learn more about the Sacred Scriptures and the doctrines of the Church. They attend Sunday Mass where they are dismissed from the main assembly after the homily to meet with a catechist to discuss the Scriptures they heard at Mass. When they have experienced a true conversion they celebrate the second major ritual in the process, the Rite of Election. This ritual, which usually occurs on the first or second Sunday of Lent, is celebrated with the entire diocese. The catechumens have been elected by God to move toward reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. The parish celebrates the Rite of Sending the catechumens to the bishop for their admission to the final period of preparation for the sacraments. The Rite of Election takes place at the cathedral with the bishop presiding and is marked by the catechumens signing the Book of the Elect. Period of purification The final period of preparation is one of reflection and prayer that usually coincides with Lent. This is a retreat-like time of final discernment rather that teaching. Three purifying rituals, known as Scrutinies, strengthen the elect by helping to purify and enlighten their conversion. They are presented with the Lord's Prayer and the Creed during this stage. The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil after sunset on Holy Saturday. Baptism (for the unbaptized), Confirmation and Eucharist are all celebrated in this most holy of all the Church's liturgies. Period of mystagogy After the Easter celebration the process continues through the Easter season. The word "mystagogy" means to deepen our understanding of the mysteries of our faith. The "neophytes" (newly initiated) continue to gather to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a Catholic Christian and discover their particular mission within the Church community. [top] Religious Education Classes (Pre-School to 5th Grade) Our religious education program offers classes to children 3 years old through 5th grade. Classes will begin on or around September and will continue through the end of April or beginning of May. Church of the Risen Christ also offers a Youth Ministry program for middle school and high school students. Our goal is to assist you in creating a household of faith where each member of the household recognizes the presence of Christ in the love, care, and support shown to one another. We realize that parents are the “first and foremost” educators of their children, and your child’s faith formation begins in the home. How you live your faith has a much greater impact and influence on your child than any one hour program offered weekly in a classroom setting. And, attending Mass together each weekend teaches children more about the importance of praying together than any text book lesson on the Mass! 2010-2011 Religious Education Schedule Religious Education Registration Form [top] Kids Word (Sunday Mass, ages 5-11) Kid's Word is the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word with our children, ages 5 - 11, during the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass. Children under kindergarten age are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Older children assist with the reading of the opening and closing prayers and the prayers of the faithful. Kid's Word needs your help! Our "Kid's Word" has become very popular, and our number of attendees has been increasing steadily. Volunteers are needed for us to continue this program. Please call Maggie at (303) 758-8826 ext.112 for more information. What does a "Kid's Word" helper do? Adult volunteers read the first reading and the Gospel reading. They also lead the children in a discussion as to "What did you hear?" (Adults are provided with copies of the readings as well as sample questions/answers prior to Kid's Word.) How many volunteers are needed each week? We need at least three (3) adult volunteers each Sunday. One helper for the first reading, one for the Gospel, and one to lead the music. The music person leads the gathering song, psalm response, and Gospel acclamation. How often will I need to volunteer? You can volunteer as often as you'd like! Ideally, if we can recruit additional adults, an average "rotation" would be once every four to six weeks. Do I have to attend meetings or prepare things at home? No. You'll receive a copy of the Kid's Word readings in the mail prior to your Sunday. We suggest you read it over at home, then just show up on Sunday! You'll enjoy the kids! [top] Sacrament Preparation (First Communion and First Reconciliation)
At Church of the Risen Christ, the preparation for
the celebration of these sacraments is done at home because
we believe faith is first shared by families in their
everyday activities of loving and forgiving.
Parents and children (ages
7 and older) are invited to begin this preparation.
Families must be registered members of Risen Christ and
children must be
enrolled in our parish elementary religious education
program (unless enrolled in Catholic school).
It is expected that families are attending Mass each
Sunday and are involved in the activities and life of the
parish.
When parents feel their child is ready they are asked to
attend preparation sessions in order to help them with the
privilege and responsibility of passing on their faith to
their child. The
parish supplies the books and materials that you will use
with your child.
When you and your child have finished going through the
materials, you will make an appointment with one of our
priests. He will
meet with you and your child and, if he feels the child is
ready, will celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation with
your child.
Please bring both your child’s books, which they will keep,
(so that the priest can talk with them about what they have
done) and the parent books (which are to be returned to the
parish). During
the meeting with the priest, after celebrating First
Reconciliation, you may schedule the celebration of First
Eucharist.
You will need to
bring a copy of your child’s
baptismal record
with you in order to schedule First Eucharist.
There are two options
for the celebration of your child’s First Eucharist.
Children may celebrate their First Eucharist during
any one of our weekend Masses, at any time of the year
(except on major holidays and holydays).
This allows families the flexibility of celebrating
when it is convenient for them.
Or families may participate in a simple group First
Communion. The
parents of several children may decide that, because their
children know each other from school or R.E. class, they
would like them to celebrate First Communion together.
Children and parents still attend the preparation
sessions and children are still prepared individually by
their parents.
One parent from the group must take responsibility for
contacting Debi Jamison at least three months prior to the
celebration date.
If you wish your child to participate in a small
group First Communion, all preparation must be completed and
your child must have celebrated First Reconciliation with
one of our priests at least three weeks before the small
group First Communion celebration.
There will be three
parent preparation sessions this year.
Parents and child must attend one session.
They are held on a Sunday afternoon in November or
February or on a Wednesday evening in May.
Whenever possible, both parents are asked to
attend. The dates for the 2010-2011 sessions are listed
below.
You must register with the
religious education office in order to attend the sessions.
Call The $50.00 material fee will be collected at the class. Dates for 2010-11 Sacrament Preparation Sessions
All sessions meet in the
Parish Center
(If you have attended our parent sessions
within the last few
years, you do not need to come again.
Contact Debi at 303-758-8826 ext. 107 in the
religious education office when you are ready to begin
working with your child.
Note:
Is your family returning to church after a long absence?
Do you have a child over the age of seven who is not
yet baptized? We
have a special process designed for you and your family.
Call Debi at 303-758-8826 ext. 107 in the religious
education office for further information.
Video Library The office of religious education has a video library available to our parishioners. There are a variety of videos for children and adults including popular movies and cartoon characters. All videos have family appropriate content with positive messages of Christian values. The video library is located next to the religious education office on the second floor of the Emaus Center. Videos are available for parish members to check out for one week. The library is open on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings and other times by appointment. [top] |
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