RCIA

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair.  We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” Pope John Paul II

What is RCIA?

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  It is a journey of faith, achance for each to discover more about who I am as a son or daughter of a gracious and loving God.  In this Parish the invitation to travel the journey is extended to both Catholics and non Catholics.

What is the Christian mystery?

The wonderful works of God among the people of the Old Testament were but a prelude to the work of Christ the Lord in redeeming mankind and giving perfect glory to God. He accomplished this work principally by the Paschal mystery of his blessed Passion, Resurrection from the dead, and glorious Ascension, whereby ‘dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life’.
If the above paragraph strikes a note within you or leaves your heart and mind wanting more then this journey may be for you. It is an opportunity to have questions answered and discover truths. It doesn’t cost anything except your time, and you will be accompanied by a group of dedicated and friendly people who will travel this journey of faith discovery with you. 

What is involved

One and a half hours, one night a week. The RCIA journey generally takes from July to Easter the following year culminating in, for those who wish to become Catholic, a ceremony during the Easter Vigil Mass when the sacraments are given. The meetings take place every Thursday (or other suitable night) from 7.30pm to 9pm (with breaks during school holidays and Christmas) with an invitation for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards.
The format for the evening is generally to discuss the upcoming Sunday gospel and then a publication called ‘At Home with God’s People’ is used to assist in the journey. Other matters will also be canvassed as indicated in the ‘Timetable of Meetings for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults’. In this way members of the group have an understanding of what is happening in the life of their Church as they travel on their journey. 
If you feel that you may be interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact the Parish office either by phone (02) 9524 7283 or via email [email protected]

“So I went forward in my life, and thanks to God, the Lord has always taken me by the hand, guided me even in difficult situations.” Pope Benedict XVI 

RCIA Inquiry Night

Quite regularly there are people who are not baptised and who come to a growing awareness of the presence and nearness of God.  Over time they invariably become more interested in the Christian faith. And then there are other adults who have already been baptised into another church, and who then become quite interested in how the Christian faith is lived within the Catholic Church. In response, this parish offers a programme entitled RCIA which stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults which is administered from August through to Pentecost. It runs one night a week for 1½hrs