The Catholic community at St. Valentine Parish is always ready to receive anyone truly seeking to find a Christian home to grow in their spiritual life. Jesus invites each of us into a relationship with himself. If you are truly knocking on his door seeking to respond to this invitation, we encourage you to read on and consider what your next step might be.
As a person searching for spiritual renewal you may have asked yourself questions like:
What is it that is attracting me to the Catholic faith?
How will my life be different by becoming part of a Catholic community?
In what ways will the Catholic faith help me to strengthen my relationship with Jesus?
Is God really calling me to take this step at this point in my life?
If these, or questions like these have been on your mind then the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) at St. Valentine may help you find answers. On our journey of life one of the things God can use to draw us to him are our everyday experiences. The R.C.I.A. process is designed to be that part of our journey where we can begin to view our daily experiences and situations through the lens of the Catholic faith. It is a place in which we can pray and discern, learn about the faith, ask questions, and have a first hand experience of being part of a Catholic Christian community.
What Is R.C.I.A.?
R.C.I.A. is an acronym for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a pastoral process by which a person explores faith and life in the Catholic tradition. The Rite is modeled after the initiation process used in the first centuries of the early Church. It includes a combination of study, prayer, and participation in the liturgy and certain rites at Mass.
Participants, known as catechumens, undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess their faith in Jesus Christ, and are brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. R.C.I. A.’s orientation is not just toward a onetime event, but is an ongoing interior change of life. While the process is directed toward adults, mature teenagers are also invited to participate.
No matter where you are on your journey of faith there is a place for you at St. Valentine Catholic Church. To learn more about how you may participate in the R.C.I.A. process, contact me directly at 313-532-4394 x103. You can also e-mail me at [email protected]
I would love to talk to you any time. No pressure, no commitment, no hype. Just honest answers to honest questions!
Fr. Henry Rebello SAC