5 January 2014 - Second Sunday of Christmas (Year A) - RCIA

In this week's programme, we catch up with John Casey, a parish catechist in Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. George in Enfield in the Diocese of Westminster.  John updates us on the journey of faith undertaken by those who are participating in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) in his parish.  The RCIA is the means by which adults become members of the Catholic Church within the local parish community.  It is aimed at those who are drawn to Christianity, but do not come from a Christian background, other Christians who wish to come into full communion with the Catholic Church and Catholics who were baptised but did not receive the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation.

 

On the first Sunday of Advent last year, the unbaptised enquirers Caroline and Hannah were welcomed into the Order of Catechumens through the Rite of Acceptance and the baptised members of the RCIA group Seye, Kehinde and Oluchi were welcomed as Candidates for full communion with the Catholic Church.  John shared with us short interviews with these catechumens and candidates after the Rite of Acceptance and asked us to pray for them as they continue their journey in faith.

John also shared with us some wisdom from Abbot Christopher Jamison's book 'Finding Sanctuary'.  John speaks about the importance of finding sanctuary, finding times of silence to listen to God speaking to us in many different ways. This may often be difficult during the perceived busyness of life, but Christ cannot speak to us if we are always busy.  We need to open ourselves up to Christ so that He can speak to us in the silence of our hearts.  Too often we are afraid of silence, needing to fill it with music or TV or other distractions.  John invites us to ask ourselves: 'Am I prepared to meet Christ face-to-face?' and to allow ourselves during this Christmas tide where we celebrate the Good News of Emmanuel, God-with-us, to give some time in silence to finding our sanctuary in God.

The full programme is available HERE.

Gospel - John 1:1-18

Source

In Ireland we celebrate the Feast of the Second Sunday of Christmas today. The texts for the Second Sunday of Christmas share a common theme of praise and thanksgiving. Jeremiah offers gratitude for the return of the Exiles even though he acknowledges that not all who left are alive to return and the experience of exile was bitter. Psalm 147 calls on the citizens of Jerusalem to praise God for all the blessings of living in that city. The writers of Ephesians and John list the blessings that are bestowed on us through Christ. Together they offer an opportunity to look back over 2013 (which was about as mixed a blessing as the return of the Exiles) with both honesty and gratitude and to look ahead to the new year with hope that God’s larger good vision will prevail in spite of whatever immediate problems or joys come our way in 2014.

The Gospel is taken from the first chapter of St. John's Gospel - the prologue which beautifully expresses the great truth that Jesus is the Son of God, the Divine Word, through whom all things were made.  Using the images of light and dark, St. John explains that Jesus is the 'real light' who was coming into the world. During this time of the year, when the darkness sets in early afternoon and the stormy weather makes us even more dependent on artificial light, we are invited to ponder on what is meant by the 'real light'. The eternal Son of God became man to reveal God to us and to reveal the great dignity that each person has as created by God. It is fitting that this Gospel for the Second Sunday of Christmas falls between the great feasts of Christmas and Epiphany. God became man to bring us into communion with Him and to those who will believe in Jesus, He gives "power to become children of God" (Jn 1:12). This is the real gift and the real revelation of Christmas - to quote St. Athanasius - 'God became man so that we might become gods' or to put it in the words of the Mass: "By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity".

There are very few online reflections this week for the gospel as many other English speaking countries have (sadly) moved the observance of Epiphany to the nearest Sunday so for them today is the Feast of the Epiphany. However, 12th night for Ireland isnt until tomorrow!

Liturgical odds and ends

Popes Intentions for January 2014

The Pope’s general intention is “that all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples.”
 His mission intention is “that Christians of diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ.”
The 2014 papal prayer intentions are a legacy of Pope Benedict XVI: he entrusted the intentions to the Apostleship of Prayer on February 1, ten days before he announced his resignation

Saints of the Week

January 6th - Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 7th -  St Raymond of Penyafort
January 8th - St Abo of Tblisi
January 9th - St Agatha Yi
January 10th - St Adrian of Canterbury
January 11th - St Breandan of Ireland (not to be confused with St Brendan the Navigator - feast day 16th May)

My Experience since becoming a new Catholic

Image Source

Each year throughout the world many adults become full members of the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil.  The SS102 Team asked one new Catholic who had been through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation on Adults) a couple of years ago to put pen to paper (or at least fingers to keyboard!) to share with us his experience as a new Catholic.  Here is Martin's reflection:

"My experience since becoming a new Catholic has been one of profound joy in deepening my relationship with God. My confirmation and reception into the Church certainly was a new beginning for me, spiritually. But without a path to tread, a daily practice to start after that Easter Sunday, I think my commitment would have withered over time. I knew I needed something to keep me moving forward and there was nothing clearly mapped out by the RCIA process at that time. There was no Neophyte group then. So to stop things becoming static I began to put together my own plan. As I had found my Faith, in the silence, on retreat at Douai Abbey, this seemed to be a good starting place. It was where I had first felt called to join the Church. Talking to the monks, I resolved to make regular retreats as these seem to be my “powerhouse”. But what to do in between those retreats? How to keep moving with the sacraments rather than drift away?

I have found the Rule of Benedict helpful in defining a daily practice. Its approach to blending worship, prayer, work and study appeals to me. The challenge is a difficult one and I fail regularly, practically on a daily basis! But one thing I have learned is just to ask for God’s Grace and it will come. The simple, on-going prayer of asking for God’s Grace, acknowledging I can do nothing without Him. But with His Grace I can achieve anything – and most importantly His will – and this keeps me moving forward.

I also undertook to attend the Monday evening meditation group at the church where I did RCIA as a way of meeting other Christians and to read and discuss the Sunday Gospel. I try to meditate daily, often on the train going into work just to fit it into the day!

I put together a reading list with the help of one of the monks at the Abbey. And we update this regularly according to my progress. I found Pope Benedict’s books “Jesus of Nazareth” excellent for someone in my position. I also found my Diocese to be very helpful here too. For example when I reached out to them for guidance the Archbishop’s Private Secretary, gave me a good reading list which I knew I could trust.

My parish priest has introduced me to a number of people in my local Church so I have got to know some people in the parish. Frankly, one of the challenging areas has been making Catholic friends. I am married with children so it’s not that I am look for a social life! But it’s just good to have people you can talk to about the Church.

The best opportunities for talking to fellow Catholics about Faith and prayer practice have been on retreats. Now, the new Neophyte group changes the game here. It’s not only a group of fellow Catholics but we are all recent converts so we have a lot in common. It also gives a structured path of training in the Faith and it’s a safe place to ask questions! Having access to knowledgeable Catholics, including the three priests and the catechists is a great privilege. I see the bishops are considering how to reach out to keep people alive to their faith and also to “lapsed Catholics”. It seems to me that having some kind of fellowship, so you feel you belong to the Church as a family, is one way to do this. You can map out your own journey and connect with others on their journey. We can learn a lot from each other. For me the Neophyte group is a good place to be amongst friends where we can discuss our Faith and ask questions.

It also helps to go through some topics, in further depth than time allows in RCIA. For example the Sacrament of Reconciliation session was excellent.

Becoming a Catholic is one of the best things I have ever done but I know I need to keep moving forward in the Faith. I’m sure the path is never an easy one, but the journey has to be easier with the support of fellow pilgrims."

Martin

25 March 2013 

31st March 2013 - Easter Sunday - Alleluia, Christ is Risen!!!

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA !!!! CHRISTUS RESURREXIT, RESURREXIT VERES  ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!

 

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!! CHRIST IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!

 

 

Christians, to the Paschal Victim Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems: Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring. "The tomb of Christ, who is living, The glory of Jesus' resurrection;

Bright angels attesting, The shroud and napkin resting. Yes, my Christ my hope is arisen:

To Galilee he goes before you." Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

Amen. Alleluia.

 

(Sequence from Mass on Easter Sunday)

On this joyous Easter morn, the SS102fm team wish you every joy and blessing of this Easter Day to you and yours!

On this weeks programme, we mark Resurrection Day with our usual reflection on the gospel of the day but we also have a special interview with John Casey about the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

You can listen to the full programme podcast here.

RCIA

John Casey joins us on the programme this week to speak about the RCIA. RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and is the process by which adults join or come into full communion with the Catholic church. While in Ireland we have not had a very strong occurrence of this in the past, it is a growing trend with many people completing their journeys of initiation at the Easter Vigil.

For those who join an RCIA process it is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. There is no set timetable and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and take as much time as they need. However, on average the process takes between eight to twelve months, but it can take up to two years or more. Those who enter the process are encouraged to begin attending Mass on a Sunday, attend a weekly RCIA session, and to become increasingly more involved in the activities of their local parish. The process culminates generally during Lent and Easter with the candidates joining the church during the Easter Vigil.

John Casey, RCIA Catechist (bottom left), and 13 neophytes (new Catholics) who became full members of the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil (March 30th 2013)

After the Easter Vigil a period of Mystagogia takes place which marks the beginning of the Neophyte Year (their first year as new Catholics).  John also tells us about his Neophyte Group, explaining the support this group offers to new Catholics in their continuing journey in faith.

You can listen to John's interview here.

John's interview is immediately followed by a reflection from Martin, a new Catholic who has already journeyed through the RCIA on the joys and challenges of being a new Catholic.

Gospel - John 20:1-9

"Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead"

The Church's Easter proclamation is the strangest message ever delivered: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. His resurrection is not merely a symbolic statement about Christ's historical importance or the affirmation that his cause goes on. Nor is the resurrection simply about some change in the the apostle's minds in regards to Christ after his death. The resurrection is about the real body of Jesus

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire

English Dominicans

Sunday Reflections

And going back to where it all began - Easter Celebrations at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Liturgical odds and ends

We now enter into the Octave of Easter where liturgically, time seems to stop so we can truly celebrate and continue the joy of the celebration of Easter Sunday. This means that during the week the Office and Mass of the day are the same as that of Easter Sunday. A reflection from iBenedictines - Time and Eternity: the Easter Octave and the Eighth Day

As it is the Octave, there are no saints commemorated this year. However, for some reminders:

• April 5th - First Friday
• April 7th - Divine Mercy Sunday

15th May 2011 - 4th Sunday after Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday - Vocation Sunday

On this weeks show, we had our regular prayer space, our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel, a quick run down through this up coming weeks Celestial Guides and a series of interviews with people who went through the RCIA programme and were received into full communion with the Church at Easter.

Of course if you missed the programme on air this morning, it is now available as a podcast on our Podcast Page

Gospel - John 10:1-10

This Sunday's gospel is one of the discourses from the gospel of John and is called the Good Shepherd discourse which is one of the reasons why today is celebrated as Vocation Sunday.

In Limerick we will be celebrating in the summer with the ordination of Ger Fitzgerald from Castleconnell but it highlights the the need for priests and religious in the church. All of us have a vocation to live out as baptised christians but as a Eucharistic community where the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and we need to pray and encourage vocations to the priesthood.

The pastoral ideal of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is a very appealing image but one which may be harder to grasp and understand in our very urbanised world. It is a comforting and one of the most ancient images of Jesus from the time of the Christians praying in the catacombs of Rome. At the sametime, the idea of being a "sheep" may not appeal to us as being an image of mindless group think just blindly following along behind.

As Michael de Vertuil reminds us, "Shepherd is one of the biblical titles for a leader, a memory of the days when the Jews were sheep rearing nomads. The passage therefore invites us to celebrate people who have "shepherded" us by touching our lives, some through direct contact, others from reading about them or hearing their stories. We remember, too, great world leaders, in modern times or in the past, and recognise that they were the presence of Jesus in the world, "shepherding" the human family. The passage can also be an examination of conscience on how we are fulfilling our vocation as parent, teacher, guide, friend, leader in the church community".

The idea of Jesus being the "gate" coming from the fact that the shepherds were the literal gates to the sheep folds and were the protectors of the sheep. The image of the gate is not as well known as that of the shepherd and is more difficult to enter into, but if we make the effort it can be very touching. Leaders who are like a gate are the opposite of possessive; they are content to be the humble instruments through which others can "go freely in and out", making their own way to "life to the full". A wonderful picture indeed of great parents, teachers, community leaders and friends.

But are we opening the closed the gates our hearts to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, to be willing to trust in the way that he is leading us.

Other reflections available from Word on Fire, Deacon Greg, Msgr Charles Pope, English Dominicans

Saints of the Week

May 16th - St Brendan the Navigator (Patron of the diocese of Kerry and Clonfert) and St Simon Stock (Carmelite)
May 17th - St Paschal Baylon
May 18th - Pope St John I (Martyr)
May 19th - St Peter Celestine (first and only Pope to resign)
May 20th - St Bernadine of Siena
May 21st - St Christopher Magallanes and Companions (Martyrs)

RCIA - The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

We have an interview with John Casey, RCIA Catechist from Enfield parish in Westminister Diocese in the UK who tells us about the RCIA programme and how it is conducted from September through to Pentecost and then John does some interviews with candidates who completed the RCIA at Easter.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a formal program of catechetical instruction, ascetically practice (prayer and spirituality), and liturgies whereby adults — called catechumens — are formally admitted into the Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. During the course of the RCIA program, the individual follows a spiritual journey of "steps' accomplished through defined periods punctuated with formal rites. The first period is the Precatechumenate, when candidates inquire about the faith and receive evangelization. Hopefully, the person comes to that initial conversion and step of faith, aided by the grace of God. This period ends with the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens when the candidates publicly declare their intention to enter the Church.

This Rite of Acceptance then begins the Period of the Catechumenate, during which the catechumens receive catechetical, ascetical and liturgical training. catechetical instruction is of the utmost importance; "This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate" (RCIA, No. 75). During this time, the catechumens should undergo a conversion of mind and action, becoming acquainted with the teachings of the faith and acquiring a spirit of charity. The sponsors and parish community assist the catechumens by their example and support. At Sunday Mass, the catechumens receive special exorcisms, blessings and anointings following the homily; however, after the Liturgy of the Word, they leave the Church. The Catechumenate may extend over a prolonged period of time, even years if necessary.

The Rite of Election closes the Period of the Catechumenate. This rite normally coincides with the first Sunday of Lent. At this rite, upon the testimony of sponsors and catechists and the catechumens' affirmation of their intention to join the Church, the Church makes its "election" of these catechumens to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. In the presence of the bishop (or his delegate), they inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect at the cathedral as a pledge of fidelity. Now the catechumens are called "the elect' or "the illuminandi" ("those who will be enlightened"). They now begin a Period of Purification and Enlightenment — the final, intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. On the next five Sundays of Lent, three scrutinies (rites for self-searching and repentance) and the presentations of the Creed and Lord's Prayer take place. This period concludes with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

After the Easter Vigil, the newly baptized and confirmed members of the Church (technically called neophytes) enter the Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy. The neophytes grow in their understanding of the mysteries of the faith and strengthen their bonding with the rest of the faithful. They should enter more fully into the life and unity of the Church. This period normally ends around Pentecost. The special characteristic of good shepherds is brought out in the passage in the relationship of trust between them and the sheep. They are trusting and in turn they inspire trust in those whom they lead. This wonderful quality - so rare in our experience - is expressed in a series of images, each of which can touch us deeply. The shepherds "enter the sheepfold through the gate", they are not devious; they "call the sheep by name" - no haranguing; they "go ahead of the sheep" - no looking back to see if they are being followed. The sheep "know the voice" of the shepherd; their relationship is almost instinctive, of the heart.