ADULT FAITH FORMATION

ACTS RETREATS
ACTS retreats are held annually for men and for women. ACTS stands for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service and is a parish-centered weekend conducted mostly by laypeople. It is an exploration of the basics of Catholic faith that renews people’s hearts and helps them renew their spiritual practice. To find out more about ACTS, call Mike Marchi at 849-2741.

LITTLE ROCK BIBLE STUDY
This Catholic bible study developed by the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas offers short weekly courses on various books or themes of the scripture. It involves a weekly discussion and sharing as well as daily reading and study. It is designed for people who want to learn more about the bible, not for experts. It is very interesting and also offers people a chance to meet other parishioners and to pray together. For information call Mary Randant at 359-0576

WHITE HOUSE RETREAT
The White House Retreat is operated by the Jesuits at a spectacular location on the Mississippi bluffs in south St. Louis County. Retreats for men and women are offered throughout the year. The men of OLP usually have their retreat in July. For more information contact John Richmond at 842-5038.

R. C. I. A.
The Rite of Christian Inititation of Adults

JOURNEY INTO FAITH (R. C. I. A.)
The RCIA is a journey for those who are interested in becoming Catholic or simply for finding out more about the Catholic faith. The RCIA is a process of sharing Catholic teaching, prayer, Scripture, spiritual formation, rituals and coming to know members of the church community.

The process consists of the following stages:

PRE-CATECHUMENATE (Inquiry)
This is a “Come and See” time – a time for questions, finding out more about the Lord, the Catholic faith and the Catholic Church.

CATECHUMENATE
Those persons who are still interested after their initial inquiry are formally welcomed and begin a Catechumenate period of learning more about Jesus, the Catholic Church, the Sacraments, Catholic morality and daily living as a Catholic.

PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
During Lent, the Church calls those who have discerned that God is calling them to be Catholic to make their final preparation for their initiation into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (or Reception into Full Communion for the already-baptized). Lent is a period of a more intense spiritual preparation.

SACRAMENTS OF INITITATION
At the Easter Vigil, the Catechumens (unbaptized) and the Candidates (already baptized) are baptized or received into the Church, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time.

For further information, please contact Deacon David Amelotti: daveamelotti2@sbcglobal.net or 314-843-3604.