RCIA

• Have you been feeling a nudge in your heart to deepen your relationship with God?

• Have you been searching for meaning in your life?

• Do you feel restless, without direction in life?

• Are you looking to join a Faith Community?

• Do you want to know more about the Catholic Faith?

• Are you a Catholic who has not been confirmed or received First Communion?

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, “RCIA” may be the answer you are looking for!

Check it out! Call Sandra Rodas at 818-247-2222 x382.

The Holy Family Catholic Community in Glendale, California invites you to a series of meetings/sessions where you can learn about the Catholic Church and find out what it means to be a Catholic. Whether you are baptized or not, whether you are a practicing Christian or know very little about Christianity, you are welcome to ask questions and to share your interest with others in the same situation.

At Holy Family, becoming a Catholic is made possible through the RCIA Process. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the normal way by which adults become full members of the Catholic Church. The three Sacraments that make you a full member of the Church are Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.

The initial Inquiry Meetings/Sessions are introductory to the RCIA Process. They are very informal and enjoyable. There is no commitment or expectation that you will carry on, but you will be given the opportunity to do so.  These meetings take place every Monday from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.  If you plan to attend, please give us a call or leave us a brief message on the inquiry box.

After attending the Inquiry Meetings and if you wish to continue, you will be given a chance to meet individually with the members of the RCIA Team. At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to ask more questions and to assess yourself if you are ready to take the first formal Rite. Those who wish to continue their journey in the RCIA are welcomed by the parish community at the RITE OF ACCEPTANCE. This takes place at a Sunday Mass.

The next period of preparation consists of attending the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass, where you will hear the Word of God through the Readings, the Gospel and the Homily. Then you will meet to discussthe Word of God that you heard and reflect on how it applies to your life. The session usually ends around 10:30 AM. You will also begin to meet on Monday Nights from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM. These sessions will help you deepen your relationship with Christ, grow familiar with Catholic prayers and beliefs, and have an understanding of the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church. You will be supported at these meetings by your Sponsor—a person you will choose to accompany you as guide, companion and friend. Other members of the parish community will act as catechists—people who will share with you their faith and understanding. Our Pastor and the Associate Pastors also take part in these meetings.

At the beginning of Lent -usually in March – you will be invited to the RITE OF ELECTION, if you have made the decision to become a member of the Catholic Church. Together with interested people from the San Fernando Valley Region of the Archdiocese, you will be welcomed by the Regional Bishop and called by name as one of the ELECT. Your name will be written in the Book of the Elect, which is kept in the records of Holy Family Catholic Community.

The following weeks of Lent are a period of intense preparation. Those who are ready will become members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, the central celebration of the Church, by initiation through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. If you have been baptized or confirmed, then these Sacraments would not be repeated. The whole parish community then joins in the celebration and welcomes you as a brother or sister in the faith.

After the joy and excitement of Easter, only the Monday Night meetings will continue until the Feast of Pentecost, usually in May or June. This is a time for reflecting on your journey that will continue for the rest of your life.

If these meetings sound interesting to you or if you are curious enough to find out how one becomes a Catholic, we invite you to call Sandra Rodas at 818-247-2222 x382.

Each week many of you see our Catechumens leave after the gospel and homily at the 9:30am Mass. They are joined on their journey with individuals from the community (sponsors). You may have asked yourselves, where do the Catechumens and Candidates go? What are they learning of the Sponsors who journey with these individuals?

This is your opportunity to find out about the Catechumenate process and to get involved. Christ could be calling you to walk with someone right right now who wants to be part of our community. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please call Sandra Rodas at 818-247-2222 x211.