RCIA - BECOMING CATHOLIC
RCIA
Welcome to RCIA!
At its core, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a program for people who would like to know more about the Roman Catholic faith. Its most obvious application is for those who desire to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. RCIA is the process by which interested people learn about, participate in, and eventually become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. We believe it should be a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation.
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Yet, even the most robust, well-structured and successful RCIA program is not simply a one-time experience in catechetical instruction; rather, it is truly the beginning of a life-long conversion process. At St. Monica, we desire to help all of our parishioners discern the call of the God in their life. We seek to help each person answer those universal questions of humanity: Why was I created? What am I to do? How do I find true happiness? What is the purpose of suffering? What is love? Where do I find peace?
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And so this RCIA page is created with both our RCIA aspirants as well as our entire parish in mind. We hope it provides an additional resource for information on the Catholic faith for those seeking to walk ever closer to Christ. We fellow Catholics realize that Christ’s call to follow Him involves a journey of life-long conversion. If these pages are able to add something that brings Christ’s love and light to all who love and serve Our Lord or, perhaps, levels the valleys of life, then may God receive all glory and praise.
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For more information on RCIA or how to become a sponsor or core team leader, please contact Maria Rocha mrocha@stmonicachurch.org or at 214-3358-1453 Ext. 7131.
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RCIA Schedule
RCIA for the 2019-2020 year will be held on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Family Center room 109. We start with dinner each night. The first day of RCIA this year will be on August 19, 2019. Child care is provided in Family Center Room 114.
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RCIA Class Resources
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RCIA SYMBOLON GUIDE
To access Symbolon videos referenced in Class Preparation, you will need to log in to Formed.org. St. Monica Catholic Church provides an access code for all parishioners and it is JT85TX. Once you log on you will need to create a personal username and password.
Once you are on the home page, on the top line click the “STUDY” option and choose “Faith Formation” in the dropdown. Looking at the banner that reads “Faith Formation--Augustine Institute Originals” you will find Symbolon. Looking under the Faith Formation heading, choose Symbolon. There are two parts to Symbolon, Knowing the Faith (Part 1) and Living the Faith (Part 2).
Your Class Preparation headings will look like “Symbolon 1-2” meaning you should find Symbolon Part 1, Knowing the Faith, Session 2: Divine Revelation, God Seeking Us and the Compass for Our Lives. Or Symbolon 2-2 which will be Symbolon Part 2, Living the Faith Session 2: Eucharist, The Source and Summit of Christian Life.
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CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a compilation of the teachings of the Catholic Church organized by topic or question. Class Preparation listings that say CCC 199 – 231 indicate paragraphs to read. It is not a page number or chapter indication! Each paragraph is very brief. There are also references next to all the paragraphs if you would like to further research what you are studying.
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RCIA Retreat
All RCIA catechumens and candidates are invited to participate in a retreat on January 19th, 2020 at St. Rita Catholic Church 12521 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX. 75244. More information will be provided during our class sessions.
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RCIA is open to anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who genuinely seeks to explore the possibility of joining the Catholic Christian faith community. RCIA includes a substantial amount of instruction in the teachings of the Church. But first and foremost, RCIA is a process of conversion; it is about changing the heart and transforming the spirit.
Along the way, inquirers participate in a number of ceremonies in which the Catholic community gradually affirms them for full membership. These ceremonies include the Rite of Acceptance/Welcoming, the Rite of Election, and the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. The Eucharist is administered by our pastor during the Easter Vigil.
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Please complete the candidate registration form to begin the process of becoming a Catholic.
Welcome to St. Monica RCIA!
If you have been asked or are interested in serving as a RCIA Sponsor, complete the registration form below. A RCIA sponsor is an active Catholic willing to be a companion for someone who is going through the RCIA process. The Sponsor should be someone who will be present as much as possible for the RCIA sessions, sacred rituals, and the Easter Vigil.
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In accepting the responsibility of serving as Sponsor, you are indicating your willingness to fulfill your own religious obligations.
As a practicing Roman Catholic serving as a Sponsor, you are expected to:
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Be a registered & active member of your local Roman Catholic Church parish (please provide a letter signed by the parish priest)
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Attend Mass & Confession regularly and receive Sacraments frequently
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If married, must be married according to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church (no cohabitation, no common law marriage, etc…)
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Must be at least 16 years of age
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Must be a fully initiated Catholic having received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
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Catholics serving as a Sponsor assume the special responsibility of being living examples of what it means to follow Jesus Christ within the Catholic tradition.
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2018-2019 RCIA Calendar
As we welcome those who are learning more about becoming Catholic, St. Monica's ministries or parishioners provide dinner for our Candidates and Catechumen. Ministries are invited to give a short 5 minute presentation about their ministry. Some ideas of dinners that are typically served by our various ministries are sandwiches, salad, lasagnas, pizza accompanied by water, tea, or soda. Plates, cups, utensils and napkins are already provided by the parish. Please select a dateon which you can provide dinner or you may also contact Maria Plank mplank@stmonicachurch.orgto schedule your date.
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Location: Family Center Room 109
​6:30 PM - 6:45 PM - Food Drop Off
7:00 PM - 7:05 PM - Ministry Presentation
RCIA Additional Resources
Useful Websites
Catholic Answers is an online resources that provides trustworthy Catholic information. The website includes a database of questions answered and apologists to respond to any questions.
Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) provides Catholic programming including talk shows, children's shows, documentaries, and plenty more.
Catholics Come Home provides an interactive, user-friendly website for those interested in learning more about Catholicism or those coming back to the Church.
Word on Fire is Fr. Barron's website which provides informative videos and commentaries.
Catholic Answers airs live on 910 AM from 5 – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
FORMED - CATHOLIC CONTENT ALL IN ONE PLACE
St. Monica has a new online subscription to the best Catholic content all in one place! Formed can be accessed on your computer, tablet, or smart phone.
Formed includes informative and inspiring teaching from renowned speakers such as Scott Hahn, Edward Sri, Fr. Robert Barron and more. Programs address Adult Faith Formation, Marriage Preparation & Enrichment, Scripture Study, RCIA, Sacrament Preparation, movies on the lives of the Saints and more!
To get started visit: http://formed.org and register using our parish code: JT85TX.
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RCIA adapted for children 2nd-12th grade
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For more information on RCIA or on how to become a sponsor or core team leader, please contact Maria Rocha at 214.357.8549 Ext. 7131 or mrocha@stmonicachurch.org. You can also learn more on the RCIA Blog.