RCIA

The Office of Christian Initiation is a department within the Office of Sacred Worship. Responsibilities of the Office of Christian Initiation are to:

• Support parish catechumenate and initiation ministries,
• Sponsor Christian Initiation (RCIA) leader and team formation programs, 
• Offer in-service and formation for Christian Initiation ministries, and
• Plan and coordinate the annual Rite of Election ceremonies at the Cathedral Basilica.

Joseph Milner serves as the director of the office and is normally in the office on Wednesday. He also serves as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis Xavier College Church on other days. He can be contacted:

The Office is assisted by Christian Initiation leaders from throughout the Archdiocese. The team assists in planning formation events and the Rite of Election each year. 

• NANCY LLOYD, All Saints (St. Charles Deanery)
• PAUL SEGURA, St. Ferdinand (NE Deanery)
• JEAN STEED, St. Patrick, Wentzville (St. Charles Deanery)
• LAURA FLANAGAN, Incarnate Word Parish (West County Deanery)
• MARGARET MANTIA, St. Joan of Arc (South City Deanery)  
• JERRY HOLWAY, St. John Baptist, Gildehaus (Washington Deanery)

Adult Baptisms and Reception

Updates coming soon 

Sunday Resources 

Rite of Election 

The Rite of Election and Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion will take place in the parishes this year.  Following are some guidelines for celebrating the rites.  Included are also some sample rituals for your convenience.  There is one for celebrating with only the unbaptized (Rite of Election); one for celebrating with only those who have been previously baptized (Celebrating the Call to Continuing Conversion); and one for celebrating with both the unbaptized and the previously baptized (Combined Rite).  These can be adapted with the other options presented in the rite if you prefer. If you have any questions or need assistance in preparing to celebrate these rites, please contact Joe Milner at [email protected]  We hope your Lenten season is filled with many blessings.

• Memo on Celebrating rite of Election.docx
• Rite of Election_2021.docx
• Celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion_2021.docx
• Combined Rite_2021.docx
• LOW for Rite of Election_2021.docx

Upcoming Workshops 

Through the Doorway – sponsored by the Diocese of Belleville
Sunday, January 24, 2021

Unfolding the Whole Mystery of Christ
The Ongoing Formation of the Faithful and the Sunday by Sunday Formation of Catechumens and Candidates
The goal of Christian initiation of adults is to enfold the unbaptized, as well as some baptized but uncatechized, into the household of Christ. This journey of accompaniment, this training, and the formation of catechumens and some candidates, suitably adapted for them, is rooted in the ongoing formation of the already baptized faithful.
How can the parish and its special ministers be faithful to the Church’s vision and values, norms, and needs for training and formation during the Period of the Catechumenate? How do Sunday, the liturgical year, and adult learning methods help? What is the impact of the regular and ongoing formation of the faithful on this process?
For more information or to register:  Through the Doorway: Unfolding the Whole Mystery of Christ - Catechumeneon.

Resources for RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Text Preview by Google Books)

Archdiocesan Guidelines

Guidelines for Implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

USCCB Documents

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Catechumenate Weblinks

From Liturgical Training Publications  -  Catechumeneon
Association of Catechumenal Ministry - Acmrcia.org
USCCB: Prayer 

Prayer Resources

3-minute Retreat

Need a few moments of reflection during your day? Take a break from your daily routine and check out this 3-minute retreat: www.loyolapress.com.  

Pray as You Go

pray-as-you-go.org/home/

Sacred Space

sacredspace.ie