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RCIA Calendar

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults learn more about the Catholic faith and become Catholic. Our calendar of meetings and other important events is below.

RCIA CALENDAR

Winter/Spring- 2021. COMING SOON!

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Winter/Spring-2020

(All Sunday AM sessions begin at 10:20am unless otherwise noted.)

Session	Date	Topic
Week 1	26-Jan	Welcoming; Introductions; Stories; The Church Yearly Cycles and Annual Calendar
Week 2	2-Feb	Thomas Aquinas’ Five Proofs for God
Week 3	9-Feb	The Creeds – What we believe
Week 4	16-Feb	The Catholic Approach to Scripture
Week 5	23-Feb	The Trinity – God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
Week 6	1-Mar	Catholic Prayer
Week 7	8-Mar	Theology of Sacrament & Sacraments of Initiation I (Baptism & Confirmation)
Week 8	15-Mar	Sacraments of Initiation II (Eucharist)
Week 9	22-Mar	Sacraments of Commitment (Marriage & Holy Orders)
Week 10	29-Mar	Sacraments of Healing (Anointing of the sick & reconciliation)
Week 11	5-Apr	Catholic Morality
	12-Apr	Easter – No session
Week 12	19-Apr	Catholic Morality II
Week 13	26-Apr	Mary and the Saints
Week 14	3-May	Catholic Social Teaching
Week 15	10-May	Q&A – Unanswered questions; The Structure and Meaning of the Mass (USCCB)
Meeting with Monsignor	TBD	TBD
Reconciliation	TBD	First Reconciliation
Mass	TBD	Rite of Reception into Full Communion

There have been many changes to our ministry leaders over the past two years. Some of our ministries have been dropped, vacated, unfilled, or replaced by new leaders. As such, the ministries page will remain under construction while we sort who and what will be included in the updated page.

Becoming Catholic

Begin Your Inquiry into the Catholic Church Here

Welcome!
We encourage you to learn more about our faith in whatever ways are most comfortable for you, and we welcome you and stand ready to answer any questions you may have. Throughout the year we welcome those who are considering beginning the process of initiation, to inquire.

If you are interested in coming into full communion with the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), please contact Erica (434) 973-4381.

Click here to register (English Language)

Click here to register (Spanish Language)

The Roman Catholic Church
Thank you for your interest in the Catholic Church, which was founded by Jesus Christ and is based on Sacred Scripture (the Bible) and Sacred Tradition (truths that have been handed down through the ages). There are many ways to learn more about the Catholic Church.

Talk to Us
If you live in the Charlottesville area, we welcome you to call our office at (434) 973-4381 and make an appointment to talk to a priest or deacon. If you would prefer to talk with a member of our staff, we can arrange for that too.

Worship with Us
Everyone is also welcome to attend our Sunday Liturgies (Masses). You can just observe or you can participate as fully as you like, the only exception being that those who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church are not permitted to receive the Holy Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine).

Use the Internet
If you would rather explore the Catholic faith on the Internet before you talk to someone in person, we recommend that you look at authentically Catholic sources for your information. We have compiled a list of various Catholic web sites as a good place to start.

Begin the Process of Joining
If you’ve already given some thought to becoming Catholic and you want to learn more about the process, please read the information below entitled: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It will give you an idea of what’s involved.

Catechumen, the unbaptized, (welcomed all year long) will be guided through formation that includes participation in adult faith formation programs (Fall cycle beginning September of 2020) that explore the role God has in their life through thought provoking discussion and weekly organized study of the faith. This exploration is a journey at the pace of each person, based on prior formation and spiritual readiness and a calendar will be tailored to the individual’s needs.

Candidates, baptized christians (welcomed all year long) are invited to explore their faith, through adult faith formation programs (Fall cycle beginning in September) offered to the parish and should attend organized study designed to further prior preparations.

If you are interested in coming into full communion with the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), please contact Erica (434) 973-4381.

Click here to register (English Language)

Click here to register (Spanish Language)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults learn more about the Catholic faith leading to being received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The process varies depending on prior faith formation. Baptized Christians who have been active in faith formation of some type participate in a series of sessions designed to deepen their understanding of what it means to be Roman Catholic, leading to the Rite of Reception, which welcomes the adult Christian into full communion with the Catholic Church at a Sunday Mass. This process is tailored to match the individual needs of each participant and will usually last about 12 weeks but may be longer or shorter depending on individual circumstances.

Unbaptized seekers who are inquiring about becoming Christian and entering the Catholic Church will have the opportunity to study the faith over the course of several months. The process is gradual and is marked by rituals celebrated throughout the liturgical year. It is a period of spiritual formation, prayer, and education. It is designed to accommodate those who have never been baptized (catechumens) and may include those who were previously baptized (candidates) but received little/no faith formation, or who may have been inactive in their faith for a long period of time.

For those inquirers who decide to continue on their faith journey, sponsors are determined, and the catechumens and candidates are formally welcomed in a liturgical rite that occurs during a Sunday Mass near the beginning of Advent (the period before the Christmas season). From that point forward until the Sunday before Easter, candidates attend the entire Mass and catechumens attend the first part of Sunday Mass (the Liturgy of the Word) and then join catechists (teachers) who discuss with them the Scripture readings used at the Mass for that Sunday*.

The formation process continues with some liturgical rites that occur during Lent (the 40 days before Easter) for those who still want to join the Catholic Church. At the Easter Vigil (the Saturday night before Easter Sunday), catechumens are baptized and during the Easter season Candidates are formally received into the Church. Instruction continues on Sundays until Pentecost (usually near the end of May)*.

We pray that you will be blessed with knowledge and wisdom as you use this information, and we welcome your comments and inquiries. Please feel free to make use of any of the contact links on the Incarnation Website.

Sacraments

Baptism

Infant Baptism:

Monthly opportunities for Baptism include 4 within-Mass weekends per year, during which children younger than age 7 are Baptized during all of the liturgies. Children 7 years old or older who have not been Baptized are invited to participate in our catechumenate program for children. For more information click here.

Adult Baptism:

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic and coming into full communion with the Church, our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) sessions meet Sundays in the Library from 10:25 am until noon, following the 9:00 am Mass. We have separate paths for those who are already Baptized Christians as well as those who are not yet Baptized. All are welcome to come and learn about the exciting journey of RCIA at Incarnation! For more information, contact Erica Shortridge, Coordinator of Christian Formation, (434) 973-4381, or John LaPrade, RCIA Team Lead, (434) 465-1947.

Eucharist

Please click here for Mass Times/Adoration.

Reconciliation (Penance)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated Monday through Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Saturday from 4:30 – 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 – 1:30 pm in the Reconciliation Room near the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. If none of these times work for your schedule, you can set up an appointment by contacting the parish office and coordinating with one of the priests. Additionally, communal Penance Services take place during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

At the age of reason (age 7) baptized children prepare to celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time in January and May, respectively. In January we offer a communal Reconciliation service with individual Confessions. For more information, please visit our Sacramental Preparation page.

Confirmation

In the Diocese of Richmond, 10th grade is the earliest you can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Visit our Confirmation page for more details.

Matrimony

The covenant and holy bond of marriage is a Sacrament established by Jesus Christ and His Church. It is a lifelong union of two mature adults of faith. To assist couples in preparing for this most serious commitment, the diocese stipulates a six-month period of preparation. For marriage to take place within the Incarnation parish community, one of the parties must be a registered parishioner who regularly worships at Mass on Sundays. Participation in a marriage preparation program is also required, and those sessions are held periodically at Incarnation. For further information, contact the Parish Office.

Holy Orders

Considering the priesthood or the religious life? Here is a resource you may find helpful – Behind the Collar. (Diocese of Richmond)

Anointing of the Sick

Catholics should not wait until they are in danger of dying before requesting this Sacrament. One may celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing at the onset or during any serious illness. The Sacrament may also be celebrated before surgery and more than once during an illness. In the case of an emergency, please contact the parish office.

FORMED.ORG

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Not yet a member of FORMED.org? Membership for every parishioner is FREE through September of 2021. Click here to signup! Watch/Listen to the FORMED.org content on the sacraments.