Santa Maria Addolorata/RCIA

Continuing with the topic of Catholic Practices and the "How To's, " in this session I will be discussing the ways in which we receive Holy Communion. We have already discussed in detail what the Eucharist is in January. I'll include those presentation slides as a reminder for you. In this session, I will use the names Eucharist and Holy Communion interchangeably since it means the same thing. At the end of this, I will also insert the Cardinal's message regarding the COVID-19 aka Coronavirus. Outline:  1.      Preparing to receive Holy Communion 2.      Posture and Gestures 3.      In the hand or in the mouth 4.      After receiving Communion 5.      Video 6.      Cardinal Cupich's Message regarding COVID-19  7.      Reference Links  1. Preparing to receive Holy Communion Before receiving the Eucharist ...

Hang on tight, we only have 6 sessions left of the RCIA / Adult Religious Ed program. :) I can only hope and  pray that this journey for you has been informative enough for you to make an honest "yes" when you receive your sacraments. We have just completed the Seven Sacraments. Just remember the key to each of the sacraments is God, himself. In each sacrament, God offers his 'grace' to us. The grace he offers to us is enough to sustain us as we journey on in life. Here's a the sacraments in brief: Sacraments of Initiation: 1. Baptism - We become adopted children of God and members of the Church. 2. Confirmation - Our baptismal promises are "sealed" with Holy Spirit. 3. Eucharist - The Sacrament of all sacraments. The true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, in the form of bread & wine. Sacraments of Healing: 1. Reconciliation / Penance / Confession - In this sacrament, the sins we commit after Baptism is forgiven & absolved. 2. Anoi...

In this blog post, I will go over what we have discussed in both classes on the topic of the Sacraments of Initiation  (RCIA & Adult Religious Ed which meets on Wednesdays & Adult Rel Ed/First Communion which meets on Sundays.)  I've used two different PowerPoint presentations for both days because our focus was different; so I'll sum them up here. First of all and as a reminder, a sacrament is an outward sign of God's grace. It is not just what we do for God but more importantly what God does for us . The Seven Sacraments in which we celebrate in the liturgy were instituted by Jesus. In other words, God calls us nearer to Him, we respond to His call in faith and He further blesses us with His 'grace' through the sacraments. So who can receive the sacraments?  Anyone who asks for it. It is good to remember that God does not impose Himself on anyone. So one key word to remember is  Freewill,   a gift that was freely given to us by God Hims...

Liturgy: Sessions IX & X We have just wrapped up the on the topic of Liturgy in the Adult First Communion class. The RCIA & Adult Religious Ed group that meets on Wednesdays will continue on this topic & finish this week. Here are some key points that I would like to stress: Liturgy is an act of worship. It has been an act of worship long before Christianity began. The rituals we use today has its roots from the New Testament. Also, in Matthew 18: 20 , Jesus says “.. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Here is more historical & biblical information to an online source Catholic Encyclopedia on the topic of Liturgy and Lessons on the Liturgy. In a Christian Liturgy, the center of our focus will always be on the Trinity; Father, Son & Holy Spirit. On page 177 in our books “Doctrinal Statements” it reads: a) In liturgy, we praise and adore the Father as the source of all the blessi...