|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||
|
R.C.I.A. - Adapted for Children Guidelines |
|||||||
| R.C.I.A., or the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults adapted for Children, is a process intended for children, either baptized
in another Christian faith (see note below) or unbaptized, who have attained the
use of reason and are of catechetical age. They seek to become full members of
the Catholic Church either at the direction of their parents or guardians or,
with parental approval, on their own initiative. Such children are capable of receiving and nurturing a personal faith and of recognizing an obligation in conscience. But they cannot yet be treated as adults because, at this stage of their lives, they are dependent on their parents or guardians and are still strongly influenced by their companions and their social surroundings. To make this process as meaningful as possible for the children involved the cooperation of the parents, the school, and the parish religious education program (CCD) is essential. The Diocesan and St. Raphael’s guidelines for inclusion of children in this process are as follows: 1.
Two consecutive years preparation (including this year).2. Registration in St. Raphael’s parish community. 3. Support for the parish community by participation in Sunday liturgy. 4. Good attendance in R.C.I.A. Adapted for Children classes. 5. Participation in the necessary rites. 6. Good understanding of the sacraments to be celebrated. Students in their first year of religious instruction, either in St. Raphael’s School or Parish Religious Education Program (CCD), will be deferred until their second year of preparation for the reception of sacraments. NOTE: Students baptized in the Catholic Church, but who have received no formal religious instruction by attending either a Catholic school or a parish religious education program, will be considered uncatechized. They must attend R.C.I.A. Adapted for Children classes as a means of catching up. In addition, they must attend either St. Raphael’s School or CCD program. The reception of the Eucharist will be deferred until their second year of preparation. |
|||||||
|
