RCIA adapted fr Children Parent Handbk 2017-2018 Let the children cme t me; fr the kingdm f heaven belngs t such as these. Matthew 19:14
August 8, 2017 Greetings Parents & Families, We are s excited that yu have answered the call frm the Hly Spirit t call Saint William, hme. S with all the excitement and enthusiasm - Welcme Hme! Yu have chsen and cmmitted yurself and yur children t seek participatin in and prepare fr the Sacraments f the Cathlic Church. Befre we begin thugh, I want t mentin the imprtance f recgnizing that all f us have what is called a faith jurney. It is smething t call yur very wn. My faith jurney lks different than yurs, just as yurs lks different than yur child s. The gd news is that this is a beginning fr sme and a cntinuatin fr thers. Our ultimate gal: friendship with Gd in Heaven. Hw d we get there? Gd questin! The answer is taking small steps, ne by ne, t deepen ur faith by getting t knw, lve and serve Jesus Christ, the Church and thers. We are called t be his disciples and t live ur lives in a manner wrthy f ur call that we have received. A friend f mine nce said, We might trip n the way t heaven, but we are still trying t get there. A life in Christ is certainly an adventure and with the supprt f this preparatin prcess and church cmmunity, we will wrk ur way t sainthd. As we begin, we must recgnize that we, as parents, are faced with many challenges in ur wrld tday. There are scietal pressures, traditins that are challenged and many, many lived experiences that challenge us t fllw r nt t fllw Christ. There are many Cathlics wh have fallen away r chsen t believe in teachings that are utside the church. There are even mre peple that prfess t be spiritual but nt religius. T be fair, Cathlics are nt perfect, but the Cathlic Church is THE place where ne can mst authentically and mst fully experience Gd s lve, embrace and mercy wherever we are n this jurney twards heaven. We seek t share ur faith and ultimately bring children and families clser t Christ thrugh the Sacraments f the Cathlic Church. In rder fr that t happen, we encurage each member f yur family t simply cme with an pen heart and allw the Hly Spirit t wrk. Sme, children and adults, are at a place where they have allwed the light f Christ int their hearts and need t be encuraged and empwered t let this light shine int every area f their lives and t thers. Sme have yet t frm a persnal relatinship with Jesus and sit n the verge f a beautiful sunrise as this relatinship has the ptential t flurish at their awakening. Everything we d in RCIA-AC is centered n Jesus Christ. We fcus n building cmmunity and friendship, incrprating prayer, reading the Sunday scriptures and preparing urselves and ur suls t receive the Sacraments f Initiatin. We seek t build Disciples f Christ. As parents, I ask that yu pray fr yur child and yur family this year. I encurage yu t talk with them in a dynamic discussin that ges beynd Hw was class? and what did yu learn? Ask them, yes, what they are learning in their faith, but g beynd and ask hw they are trying t live that faith ut in schl r hme with their siblings. Jurney with them and help them t see Gd wrking in their life and the life f the family. Weekly Mass attendance is a vital part f this, but never the ttality. Be intentinal in the way life presents pprtunities t share the Gd News f Jesus. I pray that yur family experiences an amazing year f frmatin in the Cathlic faith and I want yu t knw that it is an hnr fr each f us t have crssed paths and we lk frward t serving yu this year. Tgether we can transfrm yung hearts t shw the wrld what Gd s lve really means fr them and fr thers arund them. Lvingly in Christ, Lisa Salas Crdinatr fr Children s RCIA Saint William Cathlic Church Rund Rck, Texas childrenrcia@saintwilliams.rg 512-600-8165
Missin Statement RCIA-AC seeks t lead all children and families t a deeper relatinship with Christ and celebratin f the Sacraments thrugh creative catechesis, activities, and cmmunity and fellwship within their small grups. The preparatin prcess seeks t nt nly intrduce them t Christ, but als t give them the tls t fster a life-lng relatinship with Christ in His Church. RCIA-AC cntinually seeks t bring Christ s lve t the all by sharing the faith and time with yu and yur family. Parent s Rle RCIA-AC is supplemental t the faith frmatin that is taking place in the hme. N ne is mre imprtant than parents in passing n t their children the priceless gift f faith. Parents are the primary educatrs f faith as the family is the dmestic church. This means that the parents rle is t witness, live and share the faith with their children. This is dne directly and indirectly. All children learn frm their parents indirectly when faith is made a pririty in the hme and their parenting/ family life reflects virtue and the lve f Christ. Parents shuld als seek ut direct ways t frm their children in the faith. This includes: family prayer, participatin in Sunday Mass, and intentinal cnversatins abut the faith and mrality. Essentially, Jesus Christ shuld be a member f yur family, nt merely a masct that cmes ut every s ften. While the Church has been clear that parents are the Primary Catechists f their children, RCIA-AC ffers weekly parent sessins that are held at the same time that yur children (grades 2-8) are in sessin. Fr high schl parents, yu may chse t vlunteer in the SWYM ministry r attend the Saint William Cathlic Church Adult Faith Frmatin prgram that will lead yu clser t Christ and empwer yu t share yur relatinship with thers, including yur children. This prgram meets n Thursday evenings. Find ut mre at www.saintwilliams.rg/adultfaithfrmatin The Crdinatr as well as catechists may als make suggestins r invitatins t such pprtunities. RCIA-AC What des that stand fr??? The Rite f Christian Initiatin fr Adults adapted fr Children envisins children as persns wh are capable f a jurney f cnversin that leads t deeper relatinship with the living Gd. Children are encuraged t develp a relatinship with Gd, learn hw the stries and symbls carry meaning and hw family is central fr them t grw spiritually. Often ur children lead us parents clser t Gd in extrardinary ways.
RCIA-AC Class Schedule Families shuld begin the week by attending weekly SUNDAY mass. Mass = Our weekly bligatin and precept f ur Cathlic Faith and vilates the 3 rd Cmmandment. Please arrive prmptly at least 10 minutes befre mass t prperly calm and prepare yurselves. STW MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil Mass (5:00pm) Sunday Mass (7:30am; 9:30am; 11:30am; 1:30pm r 5:00pm) Church Sunday Sessin 3:00p Begin (Grades 2-8) Classrms/Parish Hall 3:00-4:25p Parent Sessin Parish Evangelizatin Center Dismissal frm 4:30p Ends Classrms r Small Grups Mnday Sessin 6:30p Begins (Grades 2-5) Classrms 6:30-7:40p Parent Sessin Parish Evangelizatin Center 7:45p Ends Dismissal frm Classrms RCIA-AC Class Reminders All elementary aged children shuld be drpped ff and picked up by a parent. This is t ensure safety n the church campus. They shuld nt be walking alne. Absent/Tardy Plicy: Please nte the Attendance & Tardy Plicy in the Attendance Plicy Sectin belw. We will prvide all materials fr each student. Students shuld bring bks, flders, binders, bags t class each day. Parents shuld lk fr ntes, newsletters and handuts frm the teachers t further discuss the Cathlic faith. Empwer yur children t teach YOU what they have learned. They will remember mre this way. Registratin and Tuitin Parish registratin and religius educatin registratin is required fr all children t participate in classes. This allws yur family t plant sme rts in the parish while prviding Saint William with vital infrmatin n yur child, family and sacramental needs. The tuitin requested helps t cver sme f the csts f ur materials and supplies fr each participant. If yur family is in need f assistance, please make the request frm the RE ffice. Certificates - Please turn in certificates by September 30 th, 2017. A baptismal certificate is required fr all baptized children enrlled in RCIA-AC. If a child has nt been baptized, please submit a birth certificate. The dcuments prvide cntinuity f sacramental recrds and legal names. All certificates shuld be turned int the Crdinatr during parent sessins in the accrdin file. Attendance Plicy Parents A parent sessin is prvided fr parents EVERY week that the child (Grades: 2-8) is in sessin. The sessins will include ways t discver ur faith as Cathlic parents and ways t share ur faith with ur children. Let s face it lts f times ur children ask us questins and smetimes we dn t knw where t turn. Vila, the parent sessin is the safe place t ask questins and build a cmmunity with ther Cathlic parents navigating the parenting wrld.
Children Fr thse preparing fr the Sacraments f Initiatin (Baptism, Cnfirmatin, First Hly Cmmunin), attendance is vital. The children attend classes 1 time per week. RCIA-AC wrks in cllabratin with the parents t expse the faith t the children nt just n mass r class days, but each day during the week. RCIA-AC 2017-2018 has weekly class sessins. If a child misses a sessin, they nt nly miss the tpics and discussin fr that day, but als the cmmunity dynamic that resides in each grup f participants. They are missed when they are nt there. All absences must be cmmunicated with the crdinatr within 36 hurs f the absence via phne r vicemail at 512-600-8165 r email (childrenrcia@saintwilliams.rg). If a child misses a class, the parents are asked t share the lessn with their child. Lessn infrmatin can be btained frm the teacher. Tardy Plicy: Please arrive 10 minutes early fr class s that yu can find parking. When a persn arrives late it can be a distractin and difficult fr them t engage and be engaged by the class/sessin in prgress. We recgnize this happens frm time t time. Please be curteus t the catechist and class participants time by cming t class prepared and n time. Arrive 10 minutes early. If yu wuld like an update n yur child s participatin level, please ask yur child s catechist. Dress Cde & Cde f Cnduct In effrts t create a Christ-Centered envirnment, dress and behavir must reflect the attitude f Christ. Dress Cde N yuth shuld be wearing clthing that cntains a vilent, ffensive r anti-christian message. Fr Girls: Shrt Shrts, strapless shirts, lw cut tps, skin tight garments and shirts expsing mid-riff r underwear are nt t be wrn Fr Bys: Saggy pants and shrt shrts are nt t be wrn. Cde f Cnduct Bullying and/r aggressive, threatening r vilent acts will nt be tlerated. Illegal items will nt be tlerated. If a child is fund pssessing knives, drugs, alchl r any ther types f items, the plice will be called first and then the parent. Cell Phnes are nt t be seen during RCIA-AC sessins. If a child brings a cell phne, it must be put away frm the during class time. Cell phnes will be cllected if seen and returned after class. Respect is vital t creating an envirnment where ne can grw in their faith. It is expected that all participants respect the adult vlunteers and their peers during RCIA-AC. Parents will be ntified if their child cnsistently vilates the Cde f Cnduct. Get Cnnected! Visit ur RCIA-AC website: www.saintwilliams.rg/childrenrcia Bkmark ur parish website: www.saintwilliams.rg Knw what is ging n in ur parish at https://www.facebk.cm/saint.william.parish Subscribe t Text alerts directly t yur mbile phne. Text @rcia-ac t 81010 r 512-337-1037 (see later page fr mre inf)
Sacraments f Initiatin As a participant in RCIA-AC yur child will be preparing fr tw r all three Sacraments f Initiatin. These sacraments include Baptism, Cnfirmatin and Hly Cmmunin. The healing Sacrament f Recnciliatin (Cnfessin) is a sacrament that seeks t recncile ur relatinship with Gd and with thers and will be celebrated in January fr thse wh are already Baptized Cathlic and in May fr thse wh will be Baptized at the Easter Vigil. The Sacrament f Baptism requires at least ONE (1) r TWO (2) Baptismal Spnsrs (see belw). The Sacrament f Cnfirmatin requires nly ONE (1) Cnfirmatin Spnsr and a Saint s name (see belw). The Sacrament f First Cmmunin and Recnciliatin des nt require a spnsr. Spnsr s (Gdparent s) Rle Spnsrs, als knwn as Gdparents, can be described as a rle mdel f the Cathlic Church while we are here n Earth. Spnsrs are fully initiated Cathlics wh have met the cann law (church law) requirements as stated belw. They shuld be in a state f grace and able t receive Hly Cmmunin at the Celebratin Mass. One f the mst imprtant rles f a spnsr/gdparent is t receive the Eucharist at mass with their spnsred child. Baptismal and Cnfirmatin Spnsr Requirements Must be at least 16 yrs ld A Baptized Cathlic, wh has received: Baptism First Eucharist Cnfirmatin Cathlic Marriage within the Church; if married.* A Trusted adult; wh is willing t stand with the yuth nt nly during the ceremny, but thrughut life s jurney. A mentr wh is active in the Cathlic Church & wh fully embraces and lives their faith by receiving Hly Cmmunin weekly at Sunday Mass. Has gne t Cnfessin within the last year. May nt be the parent f the ne being cnfirmed. *Cmmn Law marriage r chabitatin f spnsrs is nt allwed by Cann Law. The BLUE and PINK Spnsr frms will need t be signed by the spnsr(s) and returned t me at the ffice n later than February 28, 2018. Service Hurs fr Cnfirmatin Be ders f the Wrd and nt hearers nly. James 1:22 We are called t serve and lve ne anther just as Jesus taught us and shwed us. Vlunteering as a family helps kids learn t make a psitive impact n the lives f thers and appreciate their blessings. It als fsters cmmunicatin, strengthens bnds, starts traditins and makes memries fr the family in amazing ways. Each participant is encuraged t cmplete at least 2 hurs f service fr smene in a Christ-like manner withut receiving mnetary payment. This might be vlunteering in varius rganizatins, helping the family withut being asked, visiting a nursing hme, r vlunteering at the church. A YELLOW will need t be turned in by February 28, 2018. Spiritual Hurs fr Cnfirmatin Lrd, teach us hw t pray. Luke 11:1 Spending time in prayer is hw we bth listen and talk t Gd. Our prayer can be by urselves r with thers. Each participant shuld explre at least 2 new/different ways t pray. This might be praying a family rsary, visiting the adratin chapel, r participating in varius prayer experiences here at Saint William. A brief paragraph shuld be written t describe the child s experience. The TAN frm will need t be turned in by February 28, 2018.
Saint s Name Saints are ur brthers and sisters in Christ. They intercede and pray fr us befre Gd. We acknwledge the Cmmunin f Saints as friends f Jesus that are already in heaven. They are als cnsidered t be ur heavenly spnsrs that pray fr us. Belw are a few websites t help yur child find a saint that they wuld like t chse fr their Saint s Name. The Religius Educatin Office als has numerus bks and resurces t help yur child chse a saint s name. Saint name frms/reprts are due February 28, 2018. When chsing a saint s name, yu might cnsider: Yur child s date f birth Special Feast Days Patrn saints f varius causes, missins, cuntries, prfessins, places Hbbies/Special Interests that yur child might have Examples: St. Mary f Guadalupe Patrness f the Americas St. Clare Patrn Saint f Laundry & Televisin St. Lucy Patrn Saint f Eyes St. Peregrine Patrn Saint f Cancer St. Francis f Assisi Patrn Saint f pets St. Michael the Archangel Patrn Saint f grcers, sldiers, dctrs, mariners, paratrpers, plice, and sickness Visit the fllwing websites fr saint stries, visit the church and take a lk at the different stained glass windws, ask yur family abut churches they have been t r wh their favrite r Cnfirmatin saint is. http://www.cathlic.rg/saints/ http://www.cathlicsaints.inf/ http://www.americancathlic.rg/features/saints/byname.aspx http://www.lylapress.cm/saints-stries-fr-kids.htm?cid=402682
RCIA-AC Sacrament Rites and Mass The church wrks in cllabratin with the parents, please take a few minutes thrughut the week t bring Church int yur hme. Spend sme time reading the Sunday r daily scriptures t begin yur prayer time, pray befre meals, and pray befre bedtime. Dress Cde fr Sacrament Masses Girls: White dresses and veils are permitted but nt required. Girls shuld be dressed with age-apprpriate attire and shes. Please n strapless, spaghetti strapped, tank r lw cut dresses/tps r shrt skirts/dresses, r high heels. Shulders shuld be cvered with a sleeve. Remember that we attend mass t wrship Gd, the Mst High and nt t distract thers r draw attentin t urselves. Bys: Suits are permitted but nt required. Bys shuld be dressed with slacks and a nice shirt. Please n jeans r tennis shes. Adult Spnsrs: shuld be dressed apprpriate fr mass. Please fllw the same guidelines listed abve fr the participants. Catechumens Fr mbile alerts text @catechumen t 81010 r 512-337-1037 Thse children/teens (Catechumens) currently enrlled in the initiatin prcess fr the 2017-18 religius educatin year seeking the Sacraments f Baptism, First Eucharist and Cnfirmatin; please attend the fllwing: RCIA-AC Catechumen Baptism Parent Meeting Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 6:30-7:45pm - Sacred Heart Chapel Rite f Acceptance int the Order f the Catechumenate Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 6:30-7:45pm Sacred Heart Chapel Rite f Sending Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 9:30 am - Church ***Rite f Electin*** - St. Jhn Vianney 3201 Sunrise Rd; Rund Rck, Texas (lcatin/time subject t change) Sunday, February 18, 2018-4:30pm Penitential Rite & Aninting and Rbe Fitting Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 6:30pm - Sacred Heart Chapel Easter Vigil Rehearsal Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 6:00 pm - Church Hly Thursday Mass Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 7:00pm - Church Gd Friday Passin Friday, March 30, 2018 See bulletin fr prayer services and times - Church Easter Vigil Mass Celebratin Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 8:15 pm - Church (Children: Please arrive by 7:45 p.m.) Nephyte (newly baptized) First Recnciliatin Ceremny - Church TBD After Easter
RCIA-AC Sacrament Rites and Mass The church wrks in cllabratin with the parents, please take a few minutes thrughut the week t bring Church int yur hme. Spend sme time reading the Sunday r daily scriptures t begin yur prayer time, pray befre meals, and pray befre bedtime. Dress Cde fr Sacrament Masses Girls: White dresses and veils are permitted but nt required. Girls shuld be dressed with age-apprpriate attire and shes. Please n strapless, spaghetti strapped, tank r lw cut dresses/tps r shrt skirts/dresses, r high heels. Shulders shuld be cvered with a sleeve. Remember that we attend mass t wrship Gd, the Mst High and nt t distract thers r draw attentin t urselves. Bys: Suits are permitted but nt required. Bys shuld be dressed with slacks and a nice shirt. Please n jeans r tennis shes. Adult Spnsrs: shuld be dressed apprpriate fr mass. Please fllw the same guidelines listed abve fr the participants. Candidates - Fr mbile alerts text @stwcand t 81010 r 512-337-1037 Thse children/teens (Candidates) currently enrlled in the initiatin prcess fr the 2017-18 religius educatin year wh are already baptized in the Cathlic faith and are seeking First Hly Cmmunin and Cnfirmatin; please attend the fllwing: First Recnciliatin Ceremny fr 2 nd 5 th graders - Main Church Mnday, January 22, 2018 at 7pm r Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 7pm (Chse ne date that wrks best) Mnday RCIA-AC classes will NOT be held n the day f Recnciliatin service. First Recnciliatin fr 6 th 12 th graders will be at the Spring Retreat Mass Rehearsal: TBD Parish Hall Cnfirmatin & First Hly Cmmunin Mass with Bishp TBD - Church Prfessin f Faith Thse children/teens wh have been baptized in anther Christian Faith (Candidates fr Full Cmmunin in the Cathlic Church) wh are currently enrlled in the initiatin prcess fr the 2017-18 religius educatin year seeking the Sacraments f First Eucharist and Cnfirmatin; please attend the fllwing: First Recnciliatin Ceremny fr 2 nd 5 th graders - Main Church Mnday, January 22, 2018 at 7pm r Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 7pm (Chse ne date that wrks best) Mnday RCIA-AC classes will NOT be held n the day f Recnciliatin service. First Recnciliatin fr 6 th 12 th graders will be at their Spring Retreat
Prfessin f Faith (cnt.) Easter Vigil Rehearsal Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 6:00 pm - Church Hly Thursday Mass Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 7:00pm - Church Gd Friday Passin Friday, March 30, 2018 See bulletin fr prayer services and times - Church Easter Vigil Mass Celebratin Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 8:15 pm - Church (Children: Please arrive by 7:45 p.m.) HIGH SCHOOL RCIA-AC Sacrament Rites and Mass The church wrks in cllabratin with the parents, please take a few minutes thrughut the week t bring Church int yur hme. Spend sme time reading the Sunday r daily scriptures t begin yur prayer time, pray befre meals, and pray befre bedtime. Dress Cde fr Sacrament Masses Girls: White dresses and veils are permitted but nt required. Girls shuld be dressed with age-apprpriate attire and shes. Please n strapless, spaghetti strapped, tank r lw cut dresses/tps r shrt skirts/dresses, r high heels. Shulders shuld be cvered with a sleeve. Remember that we attend mass t wrship Gd, the Mst High and nt t distract thers r draw attentin t urselves. Bys: Suits are permitted but nt required. Bys shuld be dressed with slacks and a nice shirt. Please n jeans r tennis shes. Adult Spnsrs: shuld be dressed apprpriate fr mass. Please fllw the same guidelines listed abve fr the participants. Candidates - Fr mbile alerts text @stwcand t 81010 r 512-337-1037 Thse children/teens (Candidates) currently enrlled in the initiatin prcess fr the 2017-18 religius educatin year wh are already baptized in the Cathlic faith and are seeking First Hly Cmmunin and Cnfirmatin; please attend the fllwing: First Recnciliatin Saturday, January 20, 2018 at RETREAT Mass Rehearsal: TBD Parish Hall Cnfirmatin & First Hly Cmmunin Mass with Bishp TBD Church
CONFIRMATION ALL HS & RCIA Super Sunday Sacrament Preparatin All Meetings in Parish Hall unless therwise nted Super Sunday #1: Sunday, (DATE TBD) 10:45am t 1:30pm Super Sunday #2: Sunday (DATE TBD) 10:45am t 1:30pm Cnfirmatin Retreat: January 19th 21st, Green Family Camp in Bruceville, TX Super Sunday #3: Sunday (DATE TBD) 10:45am t 1:30pm Super Sunday #4: Sunday (DATE TBD) 10:45am t 1:30pm Sanctuary Cleaning Day Psted in Bulletin RCIA-AC Events Texas Cathlic Pr-Life Day Dicesan event held at the Capitl t supprt life! This is an all-day event. A march thrugh dwntwn Austin t the Capitl building, natinal speakers, and a rally ffer an pprtunity t learn and experience the issues f Life facing ur sciety. Date: Saturday, January 27, 2018 Cst: Free This event can be cunted as Spiritual Hurs fr Cnfirmatin. Office Assistant/Help Seeking individuals t help with: Input f Sacramental Recrds Database Management Cmmunicatin fr events via phne and mailing Special Events & Occasins Individuals wh can help with the transprtatin and lgistics f special events like retreats and celebratins.