Right of Christian Initiation For Adults (RCIA)
Fr Andrew presents the material for this course.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS?
This is an instructional program designed for adults seeking to deepen their understanding of the faith.
- Have you been attending our services without formally embracing Catholicism?
- Did you step away from the Church and have now come back, seeking further insight?
- Is Catholicism your lifelong affiliation, yet you haven’t received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist & Confirmation)?
- Did you come from a different faith background and wish to explore Catholicism further?
- Are you aware of someone who has strayed from their faith and is open to returning to the Church?
If any of these scenarios resonate with you, the RCIA program can greatly support your journey of faith.
THE ROLE OF A SPONSOR
Each participant who is to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church needs to have a sponsor – someone who can walk the Christian journey with you.
This can be a family member or a close friend. Your sponsor is invited to attend some or all of the classes with you. It will enrich the bond of faith between you and will hopefully also guide your spiritual conversations.
If you do not have any idea how to find a sponsor, please come and speak to one of the facilitators.
BAPTISM CERTIFICATE
If you are joining the Catholic Church from another Christian tradition, you’ll be asked to provide a copy of your Baptism certificate.
The Catholic Church recognises some Christian baptisms, so this certificate will help us to determine whether or not you require Catholic baptism.
Catechism, Confession, First Communion & Confirmation
Catechism classes are held on Sunday Mornings
Catechism Registration Process:
Please contact the Parish Office to get the Application Form
Catechism classes start in our parish in February of each year.
Registration forms and copies of Baptism certificates are necessary for participation.
We kindly request all parents to register their children for Catechism.
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION:
Please register for Catechism soonest / by the end of January. Please complete one form per child.
CATECHISM
Grade 1 & 2: Meet during the Liturgy from 09h00 to 09h30.
All other classes: Are held after Mass until 11h00 on Sundays.
CONFESSION & FIRST COMMUNION
Confession: Is done in Grade 3.
First Communion: Is done in Grade 4.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a three-year course that starts in Grade 9 and ends in Grade 11.
Most classes use the Faith and Life Series.
Year 1: Confirmation Course is a year of Liturgy based on catechesis.
Year 2: Bible Study and Moral catechesis.
Year 3: General Instruction on the essence of the Catholic Faith as we have inherited it from Jesus through the Apostles.
Fr Andrew Cox teaches Grade 10 and 11.
Marriage Enrichment
At present, St. James Catholic Church does not offer a Marriage Enrichment preparation course.
We instead refer couples to the:
- Engaged Encounter Course or the
- Online Smart Loving Course.
- Support and Enrichment for Marriages is through the Marriage Encounter Weekends on offer in the Archdiocese and
- Healing Broken Marriages is through the Archdiocese Retrouvaille Weekends.
Care Group
We have a CARE GROUP in the parish which is a group of concerned, caring and gentle people who are there for others.
They do not offer professional councelling services, but rather are there to help out as friends in Christ.
They help out wherever they can, quietly and discreetly. If you need help, or know of someone who needs help please get in touch. So, if you need someone to bring you communion, if you know of a family in distress, or if you just need someone to talk to, they are there, and can help.
Many people are carrying heavy burdens – you dont need to do it on your own – just as Christ accepted help from Simon of Cyrene, so the Care Group is there to lighten a load where they can.
Pray For Carers and Those For Whom They Care
Lord, comfort the sick, the hungry, the lonely and those who are hurt and shut in on themselves, by your presence in their hearts; use us to help them in a practical way.
Show us how to set about this and give us strength, tact and compassion.
Teach us how to be alongside them, and how to share in their distress deeply in our prayer.
Make us open to them and give us courage to suffer with them, and that in so doing we share with you in the suffering of the world, for we are your body on earth and you work through us.
The contact person is Nicola Cox.
Please Complete the form below if you would like to get involved in any of our parish ministries
Kindly complete the Parish Commitment form attached please.