An invitation to join us
If you have visited Immaculate Conception and celebrated the Liturgy with this parish community, you must have a sense of the joy we experience when we gather together in prayer. We are deeply rooted in the conviction that God is at work in all people. For this reason, Immaculate Conception is HOME for everyone. If you are sensing that God is inviting you, and you are wondering about the joys and blessings we experience together, we would be most eager to share our journey of faith with you.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) (older than 18 yo)
Are you interested in becoming Roman Catholic, or are you baptized Roman Catholic but have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist, or are you already baptized in another Christian tradition and desire full communion with the Roman Catholic Church? Join The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Classes will begin on September 17th, 2024. Registrations close on September 6th. Please register online or contact Fr. Gonzalo 919-281-0723 or [email protected] Registration is open until August 28th.
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1. Inquiry Phase
The Inquiry is intended for those first encountering the Catholic faith. What questions has the encounter raised? Does the inquirer hold any beliefs that would prevent him or her from feeling at one with Catholic teaching? Our parish usually holds Inquiry sessions during the summer, but inquirers are welcome to contact the parish for more information any time. The inquiry phase ends with: The Rite of Welcome / Acceptance We celebrate a Rite of Welcome / Acceptance at one of the weekend Masses to welcome the inquirer into our community as a Catholic worshiper. Those present offer their prayers and support for the participant's journey. At this point, the individual is considered a member of the Catholic community, but is not yet in full communion (does not yet celebrate the Eucharist). 2. Catechumenate Phase Each Sunday at Mass, catechumens and candidates for full reception into the church listen to the scriptures at Mass and then leave to reflect on the Word and its meaning in their lives. Additionaly there are monthly catechetical sessions from September through June. During this phase, those who have not been baptized are known as a catechumens. In order that catechumens may experience the fullness of the liturgical year, the church asks that catechumens walk with us on our faith journey for a full year before receiving the sacraments of initiation, hearing the proclamation of scripture and exploring the teachings of the Church. If the inquirer has already been baptized in another faith tradition but is seeking to enter into full communion with the Catholic church through Confirmation and Eucharist, they are known as Candidates after the Rite of Welcome / Acceptance. Candidates are received into full communion, confirmed, and receive Eucharist on individual schedules that reflect each person's unique faith journey. |
3. Purification/ Enlightenment Phase
Lent begins the Period of Purification and Enlightenment which serves as a time of final preparation for initiation into the Church. The time of Enlightenment focuses on the Catholic traditions of prayer, fasting, and reflection, and peaks at Easter Vigil when the catechumens celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This phase formally begins with: The Rite of Sending/Election In the Rite of Sending, which occurs at the beginning of the Lenten season, the catechumens sign the Book of the Elect, signifying their intention to be baptized. After signing the book, the community sends them to celebrate the Rite of Election with the Bishop and all other catechumens in the diocese. At this rite, the sponsors and RCIA catechists attest to the diligence of the catechumens in preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation. The Bishop affirms the action of God in calling - or electing - them to baptism, and from that time on the catechumens are called the Elect, and enter into the Enlightenment phase of the RCIA. The purification and enlightenment phase culminates at the Easter Vigil when the Elect are bathed in the waters of Baptism, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are anointed with Sacred Chrism in Confirmation, and join the people of God in the meal of Thanksgiving, the Eucharist. 4. Mystagogy Phase During Mystagogy, or "interpretation of mysteries," the newly initiated members, called neophytes, reflect on and further explore the meaning of their Easter experiences. This last phase of the RCIA process is also the first stage of the rest of their lives of faith because the life of a Christian is a continuous journey of faith and conversion with the community of believers toward new life in the Kingdom of God. For more information on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, please contact Fr. Gonzalo Torres, OFM. |
Rite of Christian Initiation Adapted for Children
Children who are seven years old and older seeking baptism must be involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) adapted for children. This is a two-year process culminating in the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. We welcome inquiries about the process by contacting Joel Musser at 919-281-0720.
Children who are seven years old and older seeking baptism must be involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) adapted for children. This is a two-year process culminating in the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. We welcome inquiries about the process by contacting Joel Musser at 919-281-0720.