In deciding to become a catechist, you have answered God’s call, the call of your baptism. You would have made one of the most important decisions in your life.
The word catechist comes from the Greek word “echo”. Catechists are people who ECHO the Word of God.
“Catechists must hand on the teachings of Christ to those being catechized; …Catechists must make the words of Christ their own: ‘My teaching is not my own but is from the one who sent me,’ and they confess with Saint Paul, ‘I handed on to you … what I also received.’” National Directory for Catechesis (Ch 4:29E)
Primary catechism classes are conducted on Saturdays from 4.45 p.m. to 5.45 p.m.
Secondary catechism classes are conducted on Sundays from 8.45 a.m. to 10.15 a.m.
Primary Catechism: Eileen Yeo at 9070 2166 (yeileen@yahoo.com).
Secondary Catechism: Nirmala Rayan at 8422 6298 (nimmi_rayan@yahoo.com).
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RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA, a program of the Catholic Church, is oriented towards those who are searching and inquiring about the Catholic way of life. While this program is oriented for adults, it accepts teenagers who are mature enough to participate in the RCIA. Over a period of about one year in the RCIA program, these non-baptised men and women may eventually be initiated into the Roman Catholic Church.
The RCIA Process includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass.
Main Stages or Phases of the RCIA Process:
1. The Period of Inquiry (Evangelization or Pre-Catechumenate)
This is the period where inquirers get a general introduction of the Catholic Church and Christianity. The gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, and inquirers look within their own life story to make and mark connections. This reflective process becomes a continuing, on-going method used by inquirer and member alike.
This period lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years, if necessary. During this period, some may decide that this is not the right time for them to consider membership in the Catholic Church, either because of their own life circumstances or because they feel some other Tradition is better for them.
2. Catechumenate (Teaching)
This period embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership. For a person to enter this phase, s/he must already have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and sincerely desire to become a member of the Catholic Church.
During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated; the person comes to know more and more deeply the love of God in their own lives and in the midst of the church community. This period, too, lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years, if necessary.
3. Purification and Enlightenment (40 days of Lent)
This period corresponds to that time known in the Catholic Church as Lent, the six-weeks of preparation for Easter become the days of prayerful time for catechumens and candidates, who are now known as the Elect, as they prepare for the moment of welcome as full members and are established as such by the Sacraments of Initiation.
Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at the Sunday Eucharist for the catechumens and candidates; they are called scrutinies; which are prayers for deliverance from sin, evil and evil influences in order to strengthen the faithful to the Word of God.
Throughout this period, the Elect are invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of works of charity, practice of fasting and reflecting on the readings of Lent chosen with the themes of continuing conversion in mind. Toward the end of the period, the Church continues the custom of "handing over" to the Elect the Creed (the summary of our faith) and the Lord's Prayer (which represents its practice of continuing prayer after the command of Jesus who taught us to pray).
Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation - Paschal Triduum
The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night-watch of prayer, singing and hearing the Word of God. By the waters of Baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ. Anointing with special holy oil called Chrism seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit and participation at the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist marks full membership in the church.
4. Mystagogy (Post-baptismal Catechesis)
This period lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season, fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process.
Those who have just shared in the sacraments of initiation are now called Neophytes and during this period of Easter joy they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world.
For more information on RCIA, please go to http://www.ecatholic2000.com/rcia/rcia.shtml
Or contact Sylvia D'Costa at 6400 1260 (joe.sylvia@gmail.com) or Francesca Goh at 9616 5292 (francesca.gsb@gmail.com).
RCIA journey in SFA usually commences in the month of May. Application forms are available at the back of the church or the parish office.