Important Notice: All CCD classes scheduled for today , January 18th, are cancelled due to weather conditions. Please stay safe. We encourage families to attend Mass at the most convenient time this weekend. Thank you for your understanding.
Aviso Importante: Todas las clases de CCD programadas para hoy,, 18 de Enero, quedan canceladas debido a las condiciones del clima. Por favor, manténganse seguros. Les animamos a asistir a la Santa Misa en el horario que les sea más conveniente. Gracias por su comprensión.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The United States Bishops have stated that the RCIA is “renewing the life of the Church in the United States” and that it must continue to be a priority in our parishes.
Why is it a priority? This is a priority precisely because it does (or at least it can) renew parish life. The RCIA is a journey of conversion for the person participating in the initiation process, and by extension it can be a journey of conversion for the whole parish! The people who come to our parish doors saying, “I want to be Catholic,” are indeed “seeking” something. What they really seek is GOD. The parish then, should open its arms to invite them into this process whereby they develop, deepen, and enrich their relationship with this loving God.
Discipleship and Mission:
RCIA is the Church’s way of forming new disciples of Jesus Christ. Through a gradual, complete and comprehensive training in the Christian way of life, the unbaptized come to know Jesus Christ through the Catholic Christian community and they learn to live as Jesus’ disciples.
Participating in the RCIA is more than going to classes on Catholicism. It’s undergoing a conversion to a new way of life in Christ. Although doctrinal instruction is a part of the formation process, the formation of disciples is more like an apprenticeship. The “apprentices” learn the Catholic Christian way of life from being in the midst of the parish community. The entire community helps the apprentice in the Christian way of life. Here in lies the answer to the question “What’s the RCIA got to do with me, an ordinary parishioner at Corpus Christi?”
The Parishioner’s Role in RCIA:
The entire Christian community is responsible for the initiation of its newest disciples. Some ways are:
A Mentoring community – Every baptized parishioner has a role in initiation of our new members. By observing our prayer, words, deeds and actions in the parish and in the broader community our newest members learn what it means to live as a Catholic Christian today. We provide the examples. We are the models.
As Sponsors – Baptized members of the community serve as sponsors for candidates in the RCIA. A sponsor is an active member of the parish who walks with the candidate on the journey to a new and fuller life in Christ. The sponsor is the candidate’s personal connection to the parish.
As catechists, coordinators and assistants – Members of the community also serve as catechists [teachers] for the process of initiation. Other members of the community serve as coordinators and assistants in various aspects of the initiation process.
As members of the Sunday assembly – There is one final way that every worshiping parishioner is involved in the RCIA. That’s through participation in the liturgical rites of initiation that usually take place at our weekend liturgies. There are major liturgical rituals that mark the progress of the candidates. These liturgical rites are major events not only for the candidates, but also for our entire parish. During these rites, our parish recognizes and celebrates the candidates. You, and we, are signs of Christ to the candidates in the RCIA.
We encourage you to learn more about our RCIA: For more information about the RCIA program please contact our Parish Office.
Religious Education
All Catholic children attending public school need to attend Religious Education at their parish according to grade. Religious Education is an ongoing formation program that is not concluded when children receive their sacraments. It is a misconception to think that children are prepared for only 2 years. Parents are to make sure that their children are educated in the faith.
For information please contact the Director of Religious Education, Rosner Rosas: rosner.rosas@stmarystfd.org.
We invite you to register new students for the 2025–2026 CCD program
To register your children for the upcoming CCD school year, please visit the St Mary’s office during regular office hours.
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Para inscribir a sus hijos para el próximo año escolar del CCD, por favor, visite la oficina de St Mary’s durante el horario de atención habitual.