If you feel that the Lord may be calling you to look further into the Catholic Church, the first thing to do is to pray. If in your prayer and discernment you believe that you are being called to look deeper, RCIA is the thing for you.  All classes begin in September.  

ADULTS: Classes are on Wednesdays.  It is usually a two year program.  It begins Wednesday, September 6th, 2023, 7 pm with orientation in the Matthew Module.
You will learn about Christian message of the Good News, encounter the risen Jesus Christ, Catechism and doctrines of our Catholic faith.  You can complete your sacraments of initiation if there are no impediments.  Sacraments are made on the Easter Vigil.   This is a discerning process and journey, and begins usually with consulting the Coordinator of Ministries Joyce Marks, or one of the priests, our Pastor, Father Fredy, or Father Stephen to make sure we find the right place for you and answer any questions or concerns you may have.  Please call 541-664-1050 x107 for any inquiry. 
The official start time will be posted when it gets closer.  All are welcome to come even for those who are just coming to learn.  

In the RCIA process, are simply information sessions that help the student encounter Christ and explain the teachings of the Catholic Church.  It also invites people to a prayerful experience of God. There is no “hard sell” or pressure. People are free to simply seek information and they are free to ask any questions that they might have. The Church is an open book and there will be no hidden agendas or manipulation in the process.
CHILDREN: Classes are on Wednesdays in the Mark module in 2023-2024.  It begins with the Orientation on Sept. 6th in the Matthew Module, but all subsequent classes will be at 6:00 in Mark Module.  Parents or Godparents are expected to attend with their child(ren)
These will culminate with the Easter sacraments of Initiation. For questions or concerns for the children (RCIC), contact Jerry Bourgeios 541-821-2898.

An adult, who has not been baptized into a Christian faith community and wishing to learn about becoming a Catholic, may participate in the Rite Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  This is a process which restores the ancient practice of initiation into the Church.  Focusing on conversion, it is a formation process and at various points of the journey the entire church community celebrates the conversion through prayerful rites. The RCIA leads to celebration of the sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. 

An adult who has been baptized into another Christian faith community and wishes to join the Catholic Church, will follow a similar process.  This person’s journey depends on their spiritual readiness and religious formation.  The previously baptized person will be received into full communion with the Church and join fully in the celebration the Eucharist.

The initiation of catechumens is a gradual process.  The structure of the process includes four time  periods and three stages of the Rite of Christian Initiation of adults.

The first period is called the time of evangelization or the precatechumenate period.  Participants are called “inquirers.”  It is a time of investigation during which individuals respond to “something moving within them,” and seek to discover what life with Christ is like within Catholic Church communities.  The local parish community welcomes the inquirers and pledges to pray for them and to assist in their religious formation.  The length of this period varies with each individual and culminates with the “Rite of Becoming Catechumens.” (This is our First Year)

(Our First Year continues....)The “Rite of Becoming Catechumens” is the first formal stage or gateway of the RCIA process.  It marks the end of the precatechumenate period and the beginning of the second period for catechesis.  The   At this point the non-baptized person is called a “catechumen”, while those previously baptized in another Christian faith are known as “candidates.”  (We move into year two) During the catechumenate period, the conversion process continues - individuals gradually learn more about how God is present in their lives, and are encouraged to explore their response to God’s call. It is a time to learn more about the Catholic Church – the history, the doctrine, the rituals and theology of this centuries-old faith community.  Rooted in Scripture, candidates and catechumens learn about Jesus, what it means to be a Catholic Christian, and how they are called to service.  Assisting in this process are the parish priest, catechists, liturgists, sponsors and/or godparents.

The second stage of the RCIA occurs during Lent, that is, the 40 days just before Easter.  The “Rite of Election” marks the beginning of this third period, known as the “Period of Purification and Enlightenment.”  The Rite of Election is celebrated in the cathedral with the bishop of the diocese presiding.  (This is a sign of the unity of the universal Church they are joining).  Passing into this period indicates that the candidates and catechumens (now called the “elect”) are firmly resolved and committed to embrace the teachings of Christ and join the Catholic Church.  This is a time of intense spiritual preparation, deep reflection and prayer.  Prior to the rite with the bishop, each parish celebrates a “Rite of Sending,” again pledging the prayers and support of the entire parish community.

Three “scrutinies” are celebrated on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, during regular Sunday liturgies.  These rites are intended to purify the elect, removing the “barriers” of sin and evil that could prevent the elect from experiencing the fullness of God’s transforming love. 

The Easter Vigil is the “high point” of the RCIA process.  It is during this great celebration that the elect are baptized, and both the elect and the candidates receive Eucharist for the first time and are confirmed.  This is the third stage of the RCIA process. 

The six weeks following Easter are know as “mystagogia” – the fourth time period of the RCIA process.  It is a time for deepening knowledge about the faith and for reflection upon the sacred mysteries they have celebrated -a time of looking back at what has happened, reflecting on what it was like to enter the waters of baptism, to eat and drink the body and blood of Christ for the first time, and to be sealed with the sacred oil of Confirmation.  Mystagogia is also a time for exploring and discovering what this new life as a disciple of Jesus is like.