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RCIA and Program of Catholic Studies Start in September
Dear Friends in Christ,
Starting in September, we will have two programs of Catholic education for adults:
1. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a basic introduction to Catholic faith and life, and it is intended for several different groups: a) non-Catholics who are interested in learning more about Catholic Christianity either because they are considering joining the Catholic Church or simply because they want to know and understand a bit more about Catholicism, b) Catholics who need a refresher course in the fundamentals of our faith either because they are returning to the practice of the faith after some time away or because they simply want to learn again and in greater depth the beauty of the Catholic faith, and c) Catholics who were not confirmed in their youth and now want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. RCIA will meet each Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm beginning on 7 September, and all classes are in McGrady Hall in the church undercroft, reached by the stair wells outside of the church on both sides.
2. The Program of Catholic Studies is a new course at St. Mary’s, and it will meet on Thursday evenings at 6.30 pm in McGrady Hall beginning 15 September. The Program of Catholic Studies will cover — at approximately an undergraduate level — anything and everything pertaining to Christian faith and life: Sacred Scripture, sacred theology, philosophy, church history, sacred music and liturgy, canon law, and related disciplines. This program will be divided into several mini-courses distributed throughout the school year, so that people can come and go according to the topics in which they are interested.
These two classes are open to any adult (or advanced high school student) who wants to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ more deeply. There is no cost to attend either class, but donations will be welcomed to help defray the cost of materials. Books to read will be recommended throughout both classes, but this is not obligatory. There are no tests and no grades and so (alas) no academic credit, except for catechists who require periodic certification of hours in formation.
All are welcome to attend these classes and to invite a friend to come with you; no preregistration is required, so just come to RCIA on 7 September or to the Program of Catholic Studies on 15 September, both beginning at 6.30 pm in McGrady Hall. And on the first night of both, please come a bit early so that we can get organized.
Father Newman