RCIA

Brief History
In times past when an adult expressed interest in the Catholic faith they would set up instruction sessions with the priest. The priest would meet with those persons either privately or in a classroom setting. The inquirers would be offered dogma of the Church, presentations on the Person of Jesus, an explanation of the Creed, a history and the present practice of the sacramental life of the Church, and, perhaps, a history of the Church. Emphasis was placed upon the content of these sessions. The assumption was that if the inquirers knew the answers to all their questions, they would be good and practicing Catholics.

Today's Process
Today our approach is somewhat different. We still recognize the need for us to be informed about all those items listed above. On the other hand, we have also come to appreciate that one doesn't become a faith-filled person by simply knowing the answers to religious types of questions.  Our present approach in receiving interested persons into the Church is through the RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA). This is a process whereby the faith community, each one of us, walks along with the inquirers. Persons from the faith community who are already Catholic share with the inquirers how the Lord has touched their life within the Catholic tradition.  The liturgy is our primary content and the praying community is our classroom.

When does the RCIA group meet?
St. Joseph Parish offers an ongoing process. Anyone interested may join throughout the year. Weekly sessions of preparation are offered on Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. throughout the year. Candidates and catechumens are dismissed following the homily at 9 a.m. Mass to participate in scripture study and faith sharing. When deemed ready, those who have previously been baptized (candidates) are welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church at regular Sunday liturgies. Those who are not baptized (catechumens) are initiated at the Easter Vigil.

Who can participate in RCIA?
Each member of the parish is asked to pray for the participants in our RCIA process as well as make invitation to prospective candidates. We welcome anyone, no matter where they come from or what their background may be. Prospective participants in our process would be:
a) those who have never been a part of a church (not baptized) or those interested in becoming members of the Catholic Church who have been raised and taught (catechized) in other religious traditions, or
b) those who have been baptized but have not practiced or been catechized in the Catholic faith.

If you know someone who should be invited or if you would feel called to be a sponsor for one of our inquirers, please contact Rodney Bluml, 319-377-4869 or stjoepa@qwestoffice.net. Why not think of someone you can invite? There are many who have no church and we have found that some of these consider it a compliment to be asked. Let's pray about it and then reach out in a spirit of hospitality.

We pray for those on this journey of faith.