RCIA

1. RCIA 5 Dec 16 Steven Schaefer fly-safe@cox.net

2. Tonight’s Topics • Sacraments Of Initiation • Baptism • Confirmation • Holy Eucharist

3. Administrivia • Facilities • Refreshments? • Open Forum / Ask Questions / Participate • Disclaimer • Not A Theologian • Utilized Several Resources • Introductions?

4. OpeningPrayer Lord, We Pray For Us Who Journey To You.  Strengthen Our Faith.  Open Our Hearts To The Fullness Of Your Love.  Deepen Our Understanding. Set Our Hearts Afire For The Kingdom. We Ask This Through Jesus, Who Is The Way, The Truth, And The Life For All. Amen.

5. What Is A “Sacrament”? • A Sacrament Is An Outward Sign, Instituted By Christ, To Give Grace

6. More On “Sacraments” • There Are Three Areas That We Are Involved In With Our Relationship To God: • Truths We Must Believe • Those Truths Revealed By God Through The Prophets, His Son, His Church • Action We Must Take Because Of These Truths • Duties (Actions) To God, Self, Neighbor & Those Given By The Church • Assistance That God Gives Us To Believe & Carry Out Our Action • Sacraments & Grace -- It Is Through The Sacraments That God's Graces Come To Us

7. “Dual Citizenship” • We Are Citizens Of Two Worlds: • The World Of Earth, Which Is The Visible • The Body • The World Of Eternity, Heaven, Which Is The Invisible • The Soul

8. Grace & Sacraments • Grace That Jesus Gained For Us Would Be Invisible, (Spiritual), But Given Through Visible, (Material), Things • Jesus Uses The Visible Of This World To Help Us To Receive & Reach The Invisible; (The Sacraments) • By Jesus Giving Us This Grace Through Visible Means It Assures Us That We Really Are Receiving The Grace • Not Assuming Or Wondering If We Really Are

9. Seven Sacraments Baptism Confirmation Holy Eucharist Reconciliation Marriage Anointing Of The Sick Holy Orders

10. “Cradle To Grave” The 7 Sacraments Touch All The Stages & Important Moments Of Christian Life They Give Birth & Increase Healing & Purpose To The Christian's Life Of Faith There Is Therefore A Certain Resemblance Between The Stages Of Natural Life & The Stages Of The Spiritual Life Basically There Are 3 Stages In Natural Life Birth Growth / Maturity Death

11. Sacraments By Life Stages Birth – Baptism Growth / Maturity – Confirmation Death – Anointing Of The Sick

12. Life’s Two Basic Needs Food – Holy Eucharist Medicine – Reconciliation

13. States On Life Marriage – Matrimony Priesthood – Holy Orders

14. Groupings / Purposes • Sacraments Of Christian Initiation: • Baptism • Confirmation • Holy Eucharist • Sacraments Of Spiritual / Physical Healing: • Reconciliation • Anointing Of The Sick • Sacraments Of Service To The Church: • Marriage • Holy Orders

15. Sacraments Of Initiation • We Become Christian Through The Process Of Conversion—Metanoia • Greek For “Turning Around” • Conversion, (“Turning”), From A Life Of Selfishness & Sin; (“Me First” Mentality), To A Life of Spirit Filled Generosity & Love "I Give You A New Commandment: Love One Another. As I Have Loved You, So You Also Should Love One Another. This Is How All Will Know That You Are My Disciples, If You Have Love For One Another.“ (John 13:34-35)

16. Initiation? • Not Found In The Bible • Instead: “Taking The Plunge” Or “Being Dipped Into”—Baptizein • Greek For “Baptism” • Becoming A Disciple Of Jesus Is Not Like Joining A Cult Or Local Cooking Club • It Is A Radical Joining Which Has Eternal Consequences—Can’t “Un-join”! • Baptism Is Never Repeated

17. (cont.) • Sacraments Of Christian Initiation Celebrate & Effect A “Plunge” Into The Life, Death, Passion, & Resurrection Of Christ • A Plunge So Deep & Transforming That We “Put On The Lord Jesus Christ”; (Romans 13:14) • “Restored” Order Of Sacraments Of Christian Initiation • Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist

18. For Additional Info & Further Details on Sacraments, (& Yes, There Is A Lot More), Suggest Getting With One Of The Deacons

19. Baptism … … Sacramentally Joins The Christian To Jesus

20. Takeaways • “Sacramentally” • “Christian”, (Not “Catholic”)

21. “Christian” Baptism • Baptized Outside Of The Catholic Faith • Recognized Baptism • Trinity Vs. Non-Trinitarian Baptism

22. Food For Thought! • Baptism Regenerates A Person As A Child Of God • It Forgives Original & All Personal Sin • It Fills The Soul With Grace • It Confers The Virtues Of Faith, Hope, & Love

23. Baptism Is: The Gateway To Life In The Spirit & The Door Which Gives Access To The Other Sacraments Through Baptism We Are Freed From Sin & Reborn As Children Of God We Become Members Of Christ, Are Incorporated Into The Church & Made Sharers In Her Mission

24. Received Only Once Baptism, (Along With Confirmation & Holy Orders), Can Only Be Received Once They "Imprint" A Permanent "Quality" On The Soul This Indelible Mark Remains Forever In The Christian As: A Positive Disposition For Grace A Promise & Guarantee Of Divine Protection As A Vocation To Divine Worship To The Service Of The Church Simply Put, The Mark Says: "You Belong To Christ“ Therefore These Sacraments Can Never Be Repeated

25. Sacrament Of Faith Baptism Is The Sacrament Of Faith The Faith Required For Baptism Is Not A Perfect & Mature Faith, But A Beginning That Is Called To Develop Faith Must Grow After Baptism At Baptism One Receives The “Spiritual” Virtues Of Faith, Hope, & Love These Virtues Give Power Beyond The “Natural” Virtues Of Faith, Hope, & Love

26. Necessity Baptism Is Necessary For Eternal Salvation … Why? It Removes Original Sin Brings Sanctifying Grace Into The Soul The Baptized Is Now A Child Of God; Heir Of Heaven As A Child Of God Your Response Determines Whether You Will Return Home To Heaven Or Lose Heaven For All Eternity Baptism Makes You A Member Of The Mystical Body Of Christ

27. Paths That Lead To Baptism Baptism In Church, (Most Well Known) Priest, Godparents, Ceremony Baptism Of Martyrdom; (Blood) Salvation Granted To Those Who Suffer Death For The Sake Of The Faith Baptism Of Desire, (Not So Well Known) Salvation Granted To Those Who Die While They Are Still Catechumens Or Those Who Do No Know Jesus, “… But Seeks The Truth & Does The Will Of God In Accordance With His Understanding Of It ...” (CCC 1260)

28. Infants “… The Church Can Only Entrust Them To The Mercy Of God … The Great Mercy Of God Who Desires That All Men Should Be Saved, And Jesus' Tenderness Toward Children … Allow Us To Hope That There Is A Way Of Salvation For Children Who Have Died Without Baptism.” (CCC 1261)

29. Ceremony Baptized With Water Outward Sign Water Is Necessary For Physical Life, Water Of Baptism Is Necessary For Spiritual Life Water Cleanses The Physical Body; Water Of Baptism Cleanses The Spiritual Body Of Original Sin Water Possesses Physical Power, Water Of Baptism Possesses Spiritual Power For The Person

30. Also … Anointing With Sacred Chrism Signifies The Gift Of The Holy Spirit To The Newly Baptized Also The Visible Sign Of God's Strength White Garment Symbolizes That The Person Has "Put On Christ“ In Recent Years The Casket At A Funeral Mass Is Covered With A White Cloth - Pall - To Signify That This Person Was Baptized In Christ & Died In Christ Candle Symbolizes That The Light Of Christ Has Entered This Person & Now This Person Will Be A "Light Of Christ In The World" Renouncing Of Satan In Your Life

31. Baptism In Summary Baptism Gives Us New Life In Christ It Removes Original Sin, All Personal Sin, & All Punishment For Sin It Fills The Soul With The Grace & Gifts Of The Holy Spirit We Die With Our Lord In Baptism & Are Born Into The New, Spiritual Life Of Christ, & Are Clothed With Him We Are Given Access To The Father Through Jesus We Are Incorporated Into The Body Of Christ; The Church “For In One Spirit We Were All Baptized Into One Body, Whether Jews Or Greeks, Slaves Or Free Persons, And We Were All Given To Drink Of One Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13

32. St. Gregory Of Nazianzus "Baptism Is God's Most Beautiful And Magnificent Gift... We Call It Gift, Grace, Anointing, Enlightenment, Garment Of Immortality, Bath Of Rebirth, Seal, And The Most Precious Gift. It Is Called Gift Because: It Is Conferred On Those Who Bring Nothing Of Their Own; Grace Since It Is Given Even To The Guilty; Baptism Because Sin Is Buried In The Water; Anointing For It Is Priestly And Royal As Are Those Who Are Anointed; Enlightenment Because It Radiates Light; Clothing Since It Veils Our Shame; Bath Because It Washes; And Seal As It Is Our Guard And The Sign Of God's Lordship."

33. QuestionsCommentsCuriosities???

34. “Break” Time???

35. Confirmation Confirmation Is The Sacrament Of Spiritually Growing Up Baptism Is The Sacrament For Our “Birth”; (Spiritual Birth) As We Have Been Growing From Birth, We Have Been Quite Focused On Ourselves, Which Is Quite Natural Now Comes The Time To Focus On Others, Time For Us To Accept Responsibility Toward The Mystical Body Of Christ In The World -- The Church It Is Time To Change Our Focus From Self To Others - The Community Confirmation Strengthens Our Spiritual Life As We Enter Spiritual Adulthood

36. Necessity? Not Necessarily Baptism Is Necessary For Salvation Confirmation Is Not Necessary For Your Salvation But Without This Sacrament, It Is Pretty Difficult To Make Salvation On Your Own

37. Strengthens Us Against: The Dangers To Faith From Within Ourselves The Danger Of Not Conforming Our Will To The Teachings Of Jesus & The Church The Danger Of The Attitude That The Church Must Change Its Teachings Even Though It Is The Truth The Dangers To Faith From Outside Ourselves The Danger To Soft-Pedal One's Faith -- To "Be With It," To Be Part Of The Crowd, To Be Accepted, To Feel That The Church Is Behind The Times The Dangers To Faith From False Pride In Your Intelligence You Know More Than The Church; (Usually Happens In Colleges & Universities Where Professors Ridicule And/Or Denounce The Church Throughout Its History; They Sow Seeds Of Doubt That Mushroom Into Truth In Young Minds) Remember, Christ Is Divine In His Church; Not The Members

38. History The Word Confirmation Does Not Appear In The Bible (Actually, The Only Sacrament That Is Named As Such In The Bible Is Baptism) The Bible Refers To Confirmation As “The Laying On Of Hands”* In The Latin Rite, (Western World), Confirmation Administered To A Teenager, Especially In The United States In The Eastern Rite, Baptism & Confirmation Is Administered Together To The Infant

39. Who Administers? Usually, Only The Bishop Administers Confirmation But In 1947 Pope Pius XII Gave Permission, In Certain Circumstances, For A Priest To Administer This Sacrament

40. What Is Used? Anointed With Chrism On The Forehead In The Form Of The Cross The Oil Of Chrism Is Blessed By The Bishop Of A Diocese On Holy Thursday Or During Holy Week; (Along With Two Other Oils - The Oil Of Catechumens & The Oil Of The Sick) Olive Oil Is Used To Anoint Because In Ancient Times It Was The Sign Of Strength In The Sacrament Of Confirmation It Is The Sign Of The Strengthening Effect Of God's Grace On Our Spiritual Lives For The Chrism Oil, Balm Is Added It Symbolizes The "Sweet Odor Of Virtue" - "The Attractiveness" Of The Life Of Those Who Use The Graces Of Confirmation Correctly

41. Why In Form Of A Cross? The Cross Is A Reminder That We Are To Bear Witness To The Gospel Through Our Lives We Are To Be Soldiers For Jesus -- To Be Loyal To Him, Suffering If Necessary This Suffering Would Include Both Physical & Mental

42. What Else? A Confirmation Name Is Chosen -- That Of A Saint To Ask Their Help In Being A Christ-Bearer As The Saint Was To Receive Any Sacrament, (After Baptism), You Must Be In The State Of Sanctifying Grace The Sacramental Grace Of Confirmation Strengthens One Against Temptation, Helps One In Persecution, Fortifies One To Be An Active Witness For Jesus Used To Be Called “Soldiers Of Christ” & Some Folks Still Use That Term

43. Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Through The Sacrament Of Confirmation We Receive 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit: Wisdom -- Right Sense Of God In Our Lives - First Things First Knowledge -- Helps Us To Know How To Choose What Is Helpful & Reject What Is Harmful Understanding -- Helps In Understanding Our Faith Counsel / Right Judgment -- Helps Us To Choose The Right Human Judgment Piety / Reverence -- Love For God, Confidence In Him, Reverence To Him Fortitude / Courage -- Helps Us To Persevere Fear Of The Lord / Awe In His Presence, (Wonder & Awe) -- Knowing That God Is A Just Judge -- Yes, He Is Loving & Merciful But He Is Also Just

44. Confirmation Descent Of The Holy Spirit Was Fulfillment Of The Old Testament Jesus Promised Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit Promise First Fulfilled @ Pentecost Soon After Pentecost, The Apostles Began To Lay Hands On The Baptized So That They Might Also Receive The Holy Spirit Later Referred To As “Confirmation”

45. Confirmation Grace Of Confirmation “Confirms” Faith Necessary To Complete The Baptismal Grace … The Gift Of Divine Life That God Intends Specifically … A Special Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit Effects Are Indelible … Can Never Be Erased, (Like Baptism) Forever Sealed With The Holy Spirit May Never Be Repeated Divine Seal Of The Holy Spirit: Marks Those Who Totally Belong To Christ Who Exercise The Authority Of Christ Who Are Promised Divine Protection

46. Confirmation Grace Of Confirmation, (Cont) Special Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit Not Only Completes Baptismal Grace But Also Brings Us About A Closer Union With Christ Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Are Increased In Confirmation We Receive The Power To “Be Not Afraid” Allows Us To Spread & Defend Our Christian Faith Confirmation Is “Normally” The Last Of The Sacraments Of Christian Initiation Remember: Baptism, Holy Eucharist, & Confirmation

47. Confirmation Requirements Must Have A Sponsor Must Profess Your Faith Be In A State Of Grace, (Free From Mortal Sin) Must Be Prepared To Be A Christian Disciples Witness Every Moment Of Your Life So That You Might Say: “I Have Been Crucified With Christ; It Is No Longer I Who Live, But Christ Who Lives In Me”, (Gal 2:20) Choose Confirmation Name Presider Ordinary Minister Of Confirmation Is Normally The Bishop Who Is Direct Successor Of The Twelve (Will Probably Be Father Bob On Easter Vigil)

48. Confirmation The Rite Renewal Of Baptism Vows When Celebrated Separately From Baptism At Easter Vigil Immediately Following Baptism “… Let Us Pray To God Our Father, That He Will Pour Out The Holy Spirit On These Candidates For Confirmation To Strengthen Them With His Gifts And To Anoint Them To Be More Like Christ, Son Of God” Bishop, (Father), Prays For The 7 Traditional Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Right Judgment, Reverence Courage, Wonder & Awe

49. Confirmation The Rite, (Cont) Anoints Candidates Forehead With Oil In The Form Of The Cross Saying: “Be Sealed With The Gift Of The Holy Spirit” Newly Confirmed Responds “Amen” Ordinary Minister Of Confirmation Will Normally Say “Peace Be With You” Newly Confirmed Responds “And With Your Spirit”

50. Holy Spirit The One Who Reveals God To Us Inspires Scripture & Tradition Guides & Protects The Church Unites The Church Both In Heaven & On Earth (Especially In The Celebration Of The Sacraments) Is Responsible For The Church’s Mission On Earth