5/16/2008 8:09:50 AM EST  

8/15/07
A Dinner Date with God

The Mass explained. Its history and a walk-through of the liturgy. A must-read for new Catholics and always a good reference for parishioners.

6/22/07
Confession: Not for the Guilty

Catholics have either stopped going to confession or they go only rarely. This article helps dissipate your anxiety about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and focuses on the richer meaning of receiving the gift of God's forgiveness.

5/22/07
What are your images of God at this point in your life?

Our understanding of God evolves, as we grow in our faith. This article stimulates our search and evaluation about the image(s) we hold of God: a loving father, a king, a feminine pronoun, a sheperd,...

4/20/07
What you ought to know about the Eucharist

Jesus wanted to give his followers a continuing sign of his presence and love for them, which would sustain them even if they could no longer physically see him. At the Mass we believe that Jesus is really present, just as He was present two thousand years ago

1/10/07
Church History

From the Early Church through the Middle Ages through Vatican II. A useful outline for your self-study.






Become Catholic with us


Contemporary thinking and classic Christian values that incite positive change and help you grow closer to God.

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Share your faith with others

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Have questions about converting into Catholicism?

.: See answers to frequently asked questions here


We have exciting sessions and activities in our calendar

.: Keep up with this year's timeline

 

RCIA Overview

Every Holy Saturday, at the Easter Vigil celebration, St. John the Evangelist Church, Naples, Florida, welcomes new members through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The Easter celebration provides the perfect backdrop for candidates to be initiated into the Church by receiving the Sacraments among the assembly.

We are extending to you this exciting invitation to be received into full communion into the Catholic Church. For many people who has and continue participating with us, RCIA at St. John’s has been a positive and grace-filling experience toward a life of ongoing conversion.

This section of our website has been prepared for both future candidates and sponsors by providing you an overview of several facets of a journey of conversion, a timeline and frequently asked questions (FAQ). We encourage you to contact us to explore the benefits and steps for you to grow your Catholic experience with us.

RCIA is not a program or a class in Catholicism, but rather a process of discerning and ritualizing stages of gradual conversion that takes place within the community of the faithful. The process is about a relationship over time with both God and the Catholic community and it has no time frame. Although we organize our faith formation activities around a timeline, conversion occurs on God's time – not our time. Candidates who do not feel ready for the next period can reassess their faith growth during subsequent calendar cycles.

The RCIA journey is divided into four periods that respect the individual's journey of faith. The initial period is called Period of Inquiry. The other periods are called Catechumenate, Enlightenment and Purification and Mystagogy. The community celebrates a special ritual at the conclusion of each period of Christian formation and moves the participants into the next step.

Whether you have never been baptized, have been baptized into another religion or are looking for a faith community that is warm and welcoming, the Vatican II-centered process at St. John the Evangelist is the perfect place for your spiritual preparation.

We are becoming the largest RCIA group in our Diocese – come and join us!

 

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