The Rite of Acceptance Announcement
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The Rite of Acceptance
For the last several weeks, a group of inquirers (19 children and adults interested in the Catholic faith) have been meeting with both the RCIA and RCIC teams from our partner parishes.
During this time, they have explored their own faith journeys and whether the Catholic Church is the place to continue that journey. They have prayed about it and have decided to take the next step.
This step involves a liturgical rite: the Rite of Acceptance (for the unbaptized) and the Rite of Welcome (for the baptized). They will "assemble publicly for the first time declaring their intention to the Church and the Church, in turn, accepts them as persons who intend to become its members" (From the RCIA Paragraph 41).
We, the parishioners, as the Church, have a part in this Rite. We are asked to warmly welcome these inquirers into our faith family and to support them with our prayers.
This Rite will take place on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at the 11:00 AM Mass at the Bentleyville Main church and at the 12:15 PM Mass at St. James Parish.
We ask you to prayerfully and joyously participate in this Rite. Please take the time after Mass to meet and greet these inquirers– both adults and children. They are embarking on a wonderful adventure and you are a part of it! And please keep all of us, inquirers, parish sponsors, and RCIA/RCIC team, in your prayers.