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Stations of the Cross: each Friday during Lent at 6:00 p.m.
School Stations Fridays at 2:30 p.m. No school Stations on Friday March 19.

Reconciliation: Every Monday during Lent at 12:00 noon (in addition to the regular Reconciliation schedule).

Parish Mission: March 6-9

Penace Service: March 9 at 7:00 p.m.

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we enter into this Lenten season, the Church once again invites us to use this opportunity to share more fully in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. It is essential that we cultivate a deeper sense of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to better offer our lives to Our Lord.

As we make our way through these forty days of Lent, the Most Holy Triduum and to that glorious day of the Lord's Resurrection, I pray that all of us will be ever more attentive to our spiritual devotions and especially to the Word of God.

May the guidance of the Holy Spirit assist us in our Lenten journey.

Regulations for Lent and the Easter Triduum

1. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. Priests, religious and laity are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial, attentiveness to prayer, and especially to works of charity and mercy.

2. Everyone of 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010, and all the Fridays of Lent.

3. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010, and Good Friday, April 2, 2010.

4. On these two days of fast and abstinence, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed.

Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each ones needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.

5. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is a serious matter.

May our Lenten journey bring us closer to the cross and our Resurrected Savior.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
   Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
   Bishop of Peoria

2009-2010 classes:
September 2, 2009 through April 14, 2010

Watch this page for Fall and Winter RCIA updates!

Rites and Scrutinies

November, 2009
... 11-21-2009 Rite of Acceptance 5:00 p.m. Mass

February, 2010
... 2-20-2010 Rite of Sending to Election 5:00 p.m. Mass
... 2-21-2010 Rite of Election @ St. Mary's Cathedral 6:00 p.m.

March, 2010
... 3-07-2010 1st Scrutiny 9:00 a.m. Mass
... 3-10-2010 Presentation of Creed 5:30 p.m. Mass
... 3-14-2010 2nd Scrutiny 9:00 a.m. Mass
... 3-21-2010 3rd Scrutiny 11:00 a.m. Mass
... 3-24-2010 Presentation of Lord’s Prayer 5:30 p.m. Mass

April, 2010
... 4-03-2010 Easter Vigil 7:30 p.m.

May, 2010
... 5-30-2010 Pentecost Mass for New Catholics @ St. Mary's Cathedral 10:30 a.m.

For more information about RCIA, please call the Parish Center office during business hours at 347-6108, extension 210, or call Barb Pogioli at 346-9546. If you're under 18 and would like to know more about the RCIA process, please call Tina Sondag in the Parish Center at 347-6108, extension 212.

If you'd like to know about joining the RCIA Ministry as a sponsor, table leader or hospitality person, please call Deacon Marty Pogioli at 346-9546.

Periods of Formation
... Evangelization (Precatechumenate)
... Catechumenate
... Enlightenment
... Mystagogia

Liturgical Stages
... Rite of Becoming a Catechumen
... Rite of Sending & Election
... Initiation

Definitions and Dates

RCIA: 9/02/09 - 4/14/10
...Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; frequently called "catechumenate" or "Christian Initiation"

Evangelization
... Whatever leads a person to hear the word of God in such a way as to lead to initial conversion to the Lord.

Precatechumenate: 9/02/09 - 11/21/09 (Participants are called inquirers.)
... An informal introduction to the Catholic community, a period of discussion, prayer and discernment designed to help an individual make a decision about entering the catechumenate.

Rite of Becoming a Catechumen: 11/21/09, 5:00 P.M. Mass
... This is one of the major rites in which the inquirer requests entrance into the catechumenate and becomes a member in training.

Catechumenate: 11/21/09 - 2/21/10 (Participants are called catechumens.)
... A specific period of formation into the Christian Catholic community, including an intellectual understanding of the faith and an adult experience of it.

Rite of Sending to Election: 2/20/10, 5:00 P.M. Mass

Rite of Election: 2/21/10, 6:00 P.M. Service (Cathedral, Peoria)
... This is the major rite by which the catechumen, on the basis of testimony, is accepted for full membership in the Church.

Enlightenment/Purification: 2/21/10 - 4/03/10 (Participants are called the elect.)
... A period of intense spiritual preparation for initiation into the Church.

Rite of Initiation: 4/03/10, 7:30 P.M. Easter Vigil Mass
... This is the major rite by which the catechumen is initiated into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Mystagogia: 4/03/10 - 5/03/11 (Participants are called neophytes.)
... A period of reflection, catechesis, service and integration into the community.