Please join us on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the St. Augustine room from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

If you have questions, please contact Coleen Stein at 620.227.1538 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• The first step of the RCIA journey of faith
• Helps the inquirer to discover what it is he or she is seeking
• A time of sharing stories of Scripture
• A time of sharing personal stories
• A time of asking questions
• A time of initial conversion
• Creates a hunger for liturgy
• Lasts as long as each individual inquirer needs - a period of no fixed duration

Catechumenate

• The second step of the RCIA journey of faith
  
• Begins with the Rite of Acceptance and concludes with the Rite of Election
• An extended period of formation in the Christian Life
• Presents Catholic teaching and enlightens faith
• Fosters participation in the Liturgy through dismissal
• Learn how to serve others
• A place of conversion
• Catechumens learn the Christian way of life from the Christian Community and their sponsor

Purification and Enlightenment

• The third step of the RCIA journey of faith
• Begins with the Rite of Election (first Sunday of Lent) and extends through the Lenten season.
• A period of intense spiritual preparation consisting more in interior reflection than in catechetical instruction
• Catechumens are now called the Elect
• Preparation of the Elect for the Easter Sacraments celebrated at the Easter Vigil
• Three purifying rituals, known as the Scrutinies are celebrated on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent
• Invitation to the community for intense prayer

• The fourth step of the RCIA journey of faith
• The fifty days between Easter and Pentecost
• The newly initiated are called Neophytes
• A deeper understanding of God's word, the sacraments, and the lived Christian life
• A time for unpacking and remembering
• Celebrate the fullness of the Liturgy with the Christian community
• Sent forth with the community to continue the mission of Christ
• A time to develop closer ties with the faithful
• A time to discern and recognized their gifts and their call to discipleship
• Final period of the Initiation process, which in reality continues for a lifetime