Dear Parishioners:
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program is set to begin both here at The Church of the Annunziata and at Ste Genevieve du Bois. I again encourage anyone who is interested or knows of someone interested in the Catholic Faith to please contact me at the parish. This year we will be conducting a joint RCIA program with the two parishes Gathering together. An introduction meeting will take place on Wednesday September 18 at 7pm in parish meeting room at Ste Genevieve du Bois. I also ask for your prayers for our catechumens and candidates, those who are preparing to enter into the faith this year. Your solidarity with these men and women is a great source of support to them.
A catechumen (from Latin - catechumenus, Greek - instructed) is one receiving instruction in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism. For this reason, those who are already validly baptized in another Christian Faith are not known as Catechumens, but rather Candidates.
The Catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life.
This is achieved in the following ways:
- Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by celebrations of the Word.
- The Catechumens and Candidates learning to:Turn more readily to God in prayer
- To bear witness to the Faith
- In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
- To follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds
- To practice the love of neighbour, even at the cost of self-renunciation
Our parish community has again been blessed this year with men and women who are journeying in the faith and preparing for reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin their journey of faith in the Catholic Church.
Blessings!
Msgr. John Shamleffer