Church of the Annunciation

On our Journey, we LEARN as an Adult.

At the core of the Catholic faith stands Christ, God who became man. He became man so that we could know God, so we could feel the power of his presence, so we could love Him, and so we could learn to make him the center of our lives. If you are unsure, then Your job as an inquirer is to ask those fundamental questions, understand how Catholics believe that Christ is the answer to them, and see if You agree.

In the Gospel of Luke, the shepherds tell Mary and Joseph about how they saw angels proclaiming the birth of Christ. And then St. Luke tells us, "Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Lk 2:19).

So your task as an inquirer is simple: as you ask questions (What is life? Who is God? Who am I?) and as you learn the Catholic answers to them, ponder them in your heart.

So, ask the questions.
Pursue the truth, relentlessly.
Don't settle for less than 100% satisfaction.
Don't settle for half-hearted answers or simple formulas.
Don't stop until you find overwhelming, amazing love that knocks you to the ground.

Then you'll know that you've fallen in love with Christ. Don't settle for anything less!

RCIA and RCIC

What is the RCIA and RCIC?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process established by the universal Church for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) is the same process for children ages seven through seventeen.

Who is RCIA and RCIC for?
1. Persons in need of Baptism.
2. Persons baptized in another Christian tradition who desire to become Catholic.
3. Persons baptized Catholic in need of First Communion and/or Confirmation.

Describe the RCIA process.
The RCIA process begins with a period of Inquiry in which those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith gather. The sessions provide basic information about the Catholic faith and afford the inquirer the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive atmosphere.

Those that have not been baptized and wish to explore the Catholic faith in further depth transition to the Catechumenate following the Rite of Acceptance. Following the Rite of Welcoming, the baptized also continue a period of formation. At this point, the unbaptized are called Catechumenates. Candidates are those baptized in another Christian denomination who are now preparing to enter into full communion of the Catholic faith through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Catechumens and Candidates participate in weekly catechetical sessions concerning the major beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. Members of the parish walk with them as sponsors providing companionship and support as well as introducing them to the ordinary rhythms of parish life.

In the Rite of Sending, the parish sends Catechumens desiring to join the Catholic Church to the Rite of Election with Bishop Robert Finn at the cathedral the first week of Lent. We then call the Catechumens the Elect. The Candidates are also sent to celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion with Bishop Finn.

Formation continues throughout Lent in preparation for joyous celebration of Easter. During the second Sunday of Lent, the Candidates who are called to enter into full communion of the Catholic Church celebrate the Penitential Rite acknowledging their need for spiritual purification and enlightenment. They are also healed and strengthened by the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Easter Vigil.

The third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent, the Elect celebrate the Scrutinies to uncover and heal all that is weak in one’s life and to fortify all that is righteous.

The Elect receive the Sacraments of Initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil the evening before Easter Sunday. The Candidates for Full Communion renew their baptismal promises, make a Profession of Faith, and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. The parish holds a reception following the Easter Vigil to welcome our new Catholics who are now called Neophytes. They gather with their sponsors a few more times following the Easter Vigil for mystagogia, an opportunity for reflection on their new life of faith in the Catholic Church.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Church, please contact Kathy Keary. Also, contact Kathy if you are interested in being a sponsor, a catechist, or a part of the RCIA or RCIC team.

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Family Style Parish School of Religion

Family Style PSR is an alternative to the Wednesday Parish School of Religion. Parents work with their children at home on weekly lessons completing three lessons per month to be turned in at monthly family gatherings scheduled on Sundays from 9:15 to 10:15 AM.

The families will also participate in a Fair Trade service project selling products made by individuals in developing countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America assisting in lifting the artisan and their families out of poverty. They will also lead Stations of the Cross during Lent. The dates of the family gathering and the themes explored are listed below:

January 23, 2011     We Believe
February 20, 2011    The Greatest Commandment
Lent 2011                Lead the Stations of the Cross
March 20, 2011         Feast of the Annunciation
April 10, 2011           Finding God in Prayer

Contact Kathy Keary to register.

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Growing in Faith as a Family

All families are invited to explore monthly faith themes in community with other families giving parents an opportunity to grow in faith with their children.

These monthly gatherings offered Sundays from 9:15AM to 10:15AM are available to all families whether you are enrolled in the Wednesday evening PSR or Family Style PSR.

The dates of family gatherings and the themes explored are listed below:

January 23, 2011     We Believe
February 20, 2011    The Greatest Commandment
March 20, 2011        Feast of the Annunciation
April 10, 2011          Finding God in Prayer

Contact Kathy Keary to register.

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Sacramental Preparation for Adults and Families

Click here for Infant Baptism Preparation
Click here for First Reconcilation Preparation
Click here for First Eucharist Preparation

Adult Confirmation Preparation
Adult Confirmation takes place in June of each year at the cathedral. Contact Kathy Keary to schedule an initial interview prior to instruction preparing individuals to receive the outpouring of the Spirit in Confirmation.

Sacraments of Initiation
Please click here for details regarding the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children to learn more about the journey to becoming Catholic.

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Are you a Returning Catholic?

The reasons people drift away or leave the Church are as varied as fingerprints. The Church of the Annunciation is here to support you on your journey back home. We offer individual confidential consultation as well as group "return" gatherings. If you or someone you know desires these services, please contact Kathy Keary.

Additional information about coming home to the Catholic Church is also available here.

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Bible Study

Join us for Scripture Study as we explore what the sacred writers intended when the ink was wet, the message God communicated through their words, the message God is delivering today, and the challenges offered to us by these holy writings.

A four week series will be offered on the Book of Revelation 2/9, 2/23, 3/3 and 3/9 presented by Biagio Mazza who received his master's degree in theology and religious studies from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, with post graduate work in scripture and theology at Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, New York. Biagio facilitated formation sessions in the nationally recognized and published diocesan ministry formation program, New Wine, for over 17 years, facilitating courses on a variety of topics, including scripture, theology, church history and doctrine.

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