The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which you prepare to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

RCIA provides the opportunity to grow in the faith supported by the community of Saint Raphael Catholic Church. You begin with a period of Inquiry followed by weekly Mass attendance, study of the faith, practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church which leads to your initiation through either baptism or your profession of faith and reception of the sacraments.

"Dear RCIA Inquirer,

I am honored to welcome you to our church community of St Mary. This may be a time of inquiring and questioning of the Catholic faith. The RCIA is not a “sign-up” for becoming a Catholic. It is a time for you to seek out the truths and understand the teachings and practices as you journey in the faith through the Catholic Church.

If you have made this decision or even if you are not sure and just want to see what Catholicism is all about your time of inquiry will be respected as each person’s faith journey and path of grace is different. Our team will lead the RCIA sessions through teaching, direction, question answering, discussion, and prayer.

Then I would like the opportunity to get to know you, go over the Registration Form and understand your needs as you pursue this path. 

Finally, I pray that the Holy Spirit may guide you and prepare your heart and mind as you continue to seek the way, the truth, and the life which is found in Jesus Christ and His church. Throughout the year, please do not hesitate to ask myself or one of our priests or volunteers for help, a listening ear, prayers, or answers regarding any aspect of the Catholic faith, a personal struggle or question, or simply for support.

If you would like more information about the RCIA or are ready to take the next step please contact me."

A Glossary of Terms - There are four stages in the Rite of Christian Initiations of Adults, each marked by distinct liturgical rites.

PRECATECHUMENATE

Here at St. Mary the RCIA process begins by attending Inquiry Sessions. During this stage you are seeking information about the process of becoming a Catholic. Everyone brings their own personal story and whatever your background, your life experience is welcome and valued. You will be led to deepen your relationship with God and discover the Catholic faith. We encourage you to ask questions, hear the Gospel, and share your faith with Catholics who are members of this parish community and with other men and women who are also exploring the Catholic faith. Feel free to invite a spouse, a fiancé or another Catholic to come with you to support you and share your faith journey. Inquiry Class meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7pm.

CATECHUMENATE

When you are ready you will express your desire to accept the Gospel and continue to deepen your faith. The church will formally confirm your desire through the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome. You will begin a stage called the Catechumenate where you will study the Church teachings more formally.

There are two groups.

• The Catechumens are those who are un-baptized.
• The Candidates are those who are already baptized either in a Catholic or Protestant Church, but who are not fully initiated.

During this stage, which can last about one year, you will formally study the doctrines of the Church and the sacred scriptures. You will also learn about prayer and the worship life of the Church. You will learn how to live and serve others in apostolic witness and develop your relationship with the Catholic Christian community. You will be assigned a Sponsor who will guide and support you as you explore the Catholic faith. The sponsor is present weekly for class and represents the parish community at the rites which mark progress in the faith journey of their candidate. Everyone in the community is responsible for ministering to the candidates by the witness of their lives and dedication to each other. Class meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7pm.

PURIFICATION and ENLIGHTENMENT

The Catechumenate is then followed by a stage during Lent called Purification and Enlightenment which begins with the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent. Catechumens begin a final preparation for initiation into the Catholic church. It is a time for reflection and prayer as they, now called the Elect, purify their minds and hearts by celebrating several rituals called the Scrutinies during parish liturgies. The Candidates also prepare to receive the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Lent ends when the sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter begins. At the Easter Vigil the Elect celebrate the sacraments. In the early Church, the Easter Vigil was the only liturgy of the year in which people joined the Church because at Easter we celebrate Christ’s victory over death and our sharing in that victory through baptism. The journey during that all-night vigil was a journey from darkness to light, from death to life. This is the journey that new Christians share as they descend and rise from the waters of baptism in which they are reborn.

MYSTAGOGY

During the final stage (the word Mystagogy comes from Greek meaning “interpretation of mystery.”) the new Catholics (called neophytes) deepen their understanding of the paschal mystery and make it a part of their lives. Mystagogy meets weekly after Easter until Pentecost.

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School

Hello there! Ever wondered what Totus Tuus is all about? Well now you can find out! 

**EVERY ADULT 18 AND OLDER IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND A VIRTUS TRAINING SESSION BEFORE WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING (INCLUDING CHAPERONING TRIPS) WITH CHILDREN FOR ANY PARISH OR SCHOOL EVENT OR ACTIVITY**

click here to register for a virtus class


What are the VIRTUS® programs?

VIRTUS is the brand name that identifies best practices programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote "rightdoing" within religious organizations. The VIRTUS programs empower organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church.

Who created the VIRTUS programs?

The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (National Catholic) created the programs. Monsignor Kevin McCoy, past board chairman of National Catholic, asked whether child sexual abuse could be prevented and, if so, how? In March of 1998, National Catholic invited prominent national experts—experts in many disciplines—to discuss these questions at a forum in Washington, D.C. From those discussions, the initiative for the VIRTUS programs was created. The National Catholic Board of Directors selected an Ad Hoc Committee to oversee development of the programs. The Ad Hoc Committee was assisted by a steering committee of nationally known experts and program and service providers.

click here for more information on safe environment from the diocese

Who is The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc.?

The company was conceived in 1985, licensed in 1987, and commenced operations June 30, 1988, in response to a commercial insurance market instability which had resulted in limited availability of coverage, limited underwriting capacity, and unjustified premium increases. National Catholic is owned and ultimately managed by its shareholders. Company policies are therefore established by shareholders for the benefit of shareholders. The company currently has 60 shareholders consisting of 59 archdioceses and dioceses and one risk pooling trust. Our vision is to be leaders in pursuing solutions for financing and managing the liability risks of the Catholic Church through cooperative approaches. Our mission is to provide financially stable and cost-effective excess liability programs to address the needs of Catholic dioceses and religious communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit our company website.

Why did National Catholic select VIRTUS as the brand name for the programs?

The word VIRTUS derives from Latin, and means valor, moral strength, excellence, and worth. In ancient times, VIRTUS denoted a way of life and manner of behavior that always aspired to the highest, most positive attributes of people and aspects of human interaction.

VIRTUS Programs: Our Concept and Methodology

The VIRTUS programs are a platform that provide the foundation, and also, the superstructure, of all the risk control (loss prevention/loss control) initiatives undertaken by National Catholic on behalf of its shareholders and the Church.

The VIRTUS programs constantly and consistently employ several elements as the cornerstone of their methodology. These are (summarized):

• they target both institutional change, and also, individual behavior modification, with appropriate products/services.
• they provide both reactive/responsive and proactive tools, often assembled as "toolkits," to address the exposure areas confronting our insureds.
• they employ multiple modalities (written materials, web training modules, audiotapes, videotapes, training manuals, seminars, etc.), to reach our audience.
• they utilize a "Think Tank" development model, including engagement of an Expert Consulting Team that assists with the development and implementation of our products/services.
• they are "constructed" and deployed in phases or components (Phase I of the VIRTUS programs deals with child sexual abuse and other inappropriate sexual behavior; we intend for Phase II to address violence prevention/mitigation; etc.).
• they exist as an ongoing process—phases are never "finished," but rather are continuously refined and updated, and constantly available.
• all activities are designed to ensure a constant product/service "pipeline."
• they seek and engage outstanding professional service providers for product development and training, whom we manage synergistically.
• they are committed to measurable results and continuous improvement.
• they adhere to a "best practices" standard.

Through the VIRTUS programs, we are committed and dedicated to the task of constantly providing National Catholic’s shareholders, and indeed the broader Church, with the absolute finest, most cost efficient, and effective risk control measures available anywhere.

How is the best practice standard for risk control applied to the VIRTUS programs?

Best practice is a standard. For risk control, it is a standard of effective protocols, procedures and methods for preventing and responding to risk. The standard requires an organization to demand and enforce "no tolerance" for wrongdoing and open communication channels with employees, volunteers, and others who interact with the organization. When risk is identified, the best practice standard requires the organization to move quickly to eliminate or diminish the risk—fairly, effectively, and professionally. The VIRTUS programs follow this standard.

How is the best practice standard for training applied to the VIRTUS programs?

The best practice standard for training requires an organization first to develop awareness through authoritative facilitator-led awareness sessions (preferably utilizing facilitators who are part of the organization). In-depth training is provided on a regular basis to reinforce the knowledge established in the initial facilitator-led training session and to introduce new points—particularly as the laws change. The best practice standard also requires frequent monitoring of the training to determine effectiveness. The VIRTUS programs meet and exceed the best practice standard.

The VIRTUS Programs Expert Consulting Team 

The original VIRTUS programs Expert Consulting Team (Experts) advised and consulted with program developers in two significant areas:

1. The Experts created a framework for developing a comprehensive program to deal with the issue of child sexual abuse-both proactively and reactively.
2. The Experts also consulted with the program developers to ensure that the very best research and practical experience was included in creation of the VIRTUS programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the Church's response to victims.

The hallmark of the Expert's recommendations was the development of programs with flexibility and choice that would help bishops and the Church respond effectively, and would assure that the VIRTUS programs avoided the one-size-fits-all paradigm that can undermine programs. The objective was to give the bishops extraordinary program content, proven delivery instruments, and a program that each diocese can adapt to meet its individual needs.

Months were spent on due diligence and review of other programs in order to assure that the VIRTUS programs are the best examples of successful solutions and make the best use of resources. Then, consistent with the VIRTUS continuous improvement model, the programs are regularly reviewed, revised, and upgraded to utilize new information and research in an effort to keep expanding our prevention methods. After all, prevention is our ultimate goal.

Please note that each original Expert was called upon for his or her knowledge and guidance as it related to specific portions of the development process. Not all of the Experts were involved in every aspect of the development. Some of the original Experts continue to advise National Catholic, while others do not. Plus, National Catholic has consulted with and continues to consult with additional Experts as required by our ongoing program development needs. Based on the types of services provided, National Catholic compensates some Experts for their professional contribution to our programs.

More information coming soon! 

CYM (Catholic Youth Ministries) is a collection of Formation,  Prayer, Service and Socialization activities for the Catholic  teens  of St. Mary & Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes.

CYM activities are led by Bill & Carrie Weber.