St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)
720 East Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, MS 39560

Protocol for RCIA– COVID-19 Policies

St Thomas will follow the guidelines from our federal, state, and local health and civil officials to socially distance, wash/sanitize hands often, sanitize frequently touched surfaces, and wear a facemask in public spaces or gatherings.

The following three plans have been developed for implementation dependent upon the guidance in place on Sept 21, the date for opening RCIA sessions.

Plan A:  How will we begin parish faith formation programs at the normal time if we are not allowed to gather together in person?
Plan B:  How will we begin parish faith formation programs at the normal time if we are allowed to gather in person and our class and/or RCIA group size is within the number allowed for indoor gatherings?
Plan C:  How will we begin parish faith formation programs at the normal time if we are allowed to gather in person and our class and/or RCIA group size is not within the number allowed for indoor gatherings?
In all cases, the RCIA will use CREDO as the basis for its curriculum.
Attachments

1. Plan A – No In-Person RCIA Program
2. Plan B – In-Person Meetings for RCIA
3. Plan C- In-Person Meetings for SRE with Reduced Class Sizes
4. COVID19 policy for RCIA Team

Sue Hoffman
Coordinator RCIA
St Thomas the Apostle Parish

 

Plan A – No In-Person RCIA program

1. In the event that an in-person program is not possible, the RCIA Team maintain personal communication through other means.

   1. Personal phone calls

   2. Electronic E-Mail, Facebook etc.

2. CREDO

   1. Online Video Program from the Dominican Friars and the Thomistic Institute.

   2. Teaches catechumens the key tenets of the Faith.

   3. Includes interviews from recent converts allow catechumens to hear from their brothers and sisters who have already completed their journey.

3. Weekly On Line Meeting

   1. ZOOM meeting hosted by RCIA Team

   2. Review CREDO lessons, answer questions, guide group

4. Rites of the Church

   1. Conduct of Rites at Mass will follow guidance from the dioceses

Plan B – In Person RCIA Program

1. Monitoring for Symptoms

   1. Enforce CIVID-19 Policy for Teachers and Staff Attachment (D)

   2. Post signage at the main school entrance requesting that people who are symptomatic not enter.

   3. Conduct screening using non-contact thermometers at room entrance.

      1. Immediately isolate individuals that are symptomatic of COVID-19 and send home as soon as possible if they

         1. Have a measured temperature of 100.4 or greater, or have any of the following symptoms:

            1. Cough

            2. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

            3. Chills

            4. Muscle pain

            5. Headache

            6. Sore throat

            7. Loss of taste of smell

   4. Criteria for exclusion and readmission will be in concert with the recommendations of the Mississippi State Department of Health.

2. In the event of a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 among students or staff

   1. Communicate with parish staff and RCIA members as soon as possible, while maintaining the confidentiality of the student or staff member.

   2. Clean and disinfect thoroughly areas used by the infected individual.

3. Social Distancing

   1. All candidates and team members shall maintain as close to 6t feet distancing to the greatest extent possible.  During circumstances when strict social distancing is difficult to maintain, mask wearing are essential practices.

   2. Space the desks.

   3. Discourage “high fives”, hand holding, hand shaking, hugging, and other forms of greetings that require contact.

   4. Limit entry to sessions to essential visits only.

4. Masks and Face Coverings

   1. All candidates and team members shall wear a mask or cloth face covering while inside the building.

   2. Exceptions

      1. Anyone that is having trouble breathing

      2. Anyone who cannot tolerate a mask due to developmental, medical or behavioral health needs.

5. Maintaining a healthy environment

   1. RCIA sessions to be held in the Religious Education Center

   2. Ensure adequate supply of hygiene items at all times and placed in convenient locations throughout the building.

   3. Require hand hygiene upon arrival to school and when entering and leaving

   4. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of high touch shared surfaces such as doorknob, work areas, restroom facilities desks and chairs.

   5. Abandon use of drinking fountains.

Plan C- In-Person Meetings with Reduced Class Sizes

1. In the event that class sizes exceed the number allowed for indoor gatherings, the RCIA program will utilize a hybrid program of plans A and Plan B.

 

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic and is extremely contagious.  As a result, in order to resume in person parish religious education and RCIA programs, social distancing and other essential safety measures have been established by St Thomas the Apostle Parish.  The parish has put in place reasonable preventative measures and standards of behavior to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at in person parish religious education and RCIA activities.

Students, RCIA participants, staff and volunteers must stay home for any one of the following criteria:

1. Positive test for COVID-19

2. Individual or any member of the household experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 whether they have a positive test or not

3. Known close contact (within the last 14 days) with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.  Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for a period of over 15 minutes.

Student and RCIA participant absences for the above reasons will be counted as excused.   

If a religious education student develops symptoms or suspected symptoms of COVID-19, the parent/guardian will be contacted by parish staff and will make immediate preparations to have student picked up from school. In the event of a medical emergency, parish staff may call 9-1-1 and have student transported to a hospital or healthcare facility. 

If a staff member, volunteer, religious education student, or RCIA participant suspects or knows they had COVID-19, and had symptoms, they may return to in person parish religious education or RCIA after:

            1.         14 days past the onset of symptoms (or test if no symptoms)
            2.         Symptoms improve, and
            3.         Fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. 

In the case of a staff member, volunteer, religious education student, or RCIA participant who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19. The individual may not return to in person parish religious education or RCIA until the individual has completed the same three step criteria listed above.

If the staff member, volunteer, religious education student, or RCIA participant has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to in person religious education or RCIA before completing the above self-isolation period, the individual must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or receive two separate confirmation at least 24 hours apart that they are free of COVID via testing at an approved COVID-19 testing location

 

Becoming Catholic With RCIA

RCIA meetings are usually held on Mondays at 7:00 p.m., from mid-August to Pentecost. For more information, contact Sue Hoffman at 864-5868 or psuehoffman@gmail.com.

What is RCIA?

RCIA is the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults”; the process through which unbaptized persons (Catechumens) and baptized Christians (Candidates) can enter the Catholic Church. It is a spiritual journey, a path to the fullness of Truth, who is Jesus Christ.

Who should attend RCIA?

• Catechumens (unbaptized persons) and baptized Christians who wish to become Catholic, and/or are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith.
• Baptized Catholics who have not received other Sacraments (Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation), and/or have been away from the Catholic Church for an extended period of time.
• Any non-Catholic who wishes to learn more about the Catholic Faith.

How long is the process? What happens in RCIA?

The process involves weekly meetings (classes) from the fall (August or September) to Pentecost. Usually, 28 classes are scheduled, classes covering many important teachings of the Catholic Church.

The first period, the Period of Evangelization and Precatehumenate (Inquiry) lasts eight to ten weeks, culminating in a liturgical rite called Acceptance (for Catechumens), the first step to becoming a Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church.

After Acceptance is the period of the Catechumenate, a period of continued growth, study, and conversion. This period leads to the Election on the First Sunday of Lent, when “the Church formally ratifies the catechumens’ readiness for the sacraments of initiation”(1). At this time, catechumens state that it is their will to receive the sacraments.

During Lent, catechumens experience the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, the final preparation for the Easter Vigil Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and entrance into the Catholic Church.

At the Easter Vigil, sacraments are received and Catechumens are formally recognized as Catholics.

The Period of Mystagogy following Easter (during the Easter Season) is the period new Catholics are especially encouraged to participate fully in the Eucharist, but also to delve deeply into the wealth of spiritual writings, devotions, traditions, and culture within our Catholic Church. For all Catholics, this period is a profound opportunity to experience our Faith together, encouraging all to grow to a transforming Union with God.

If I am Catholic, but have not been Confirmed, should I attend RCIA?

Yes. If this applies to you, please contact our Church Office.

Catholics who have not been Confirmed must get permission from our Bishop to be Confirmed.

Do I need a Sponsor?

Yes, a sponsor is required for both Catechumens and Candidates. 
A practicing Catholic in good standing (receiving sacraments) is required as your Sponsor. This person will not only attend classes with you and stand with you as a Sponsor at the Easter Vigil, but will offer support and guidance throughout the process of Initiation. 

If I do not have a Sponsor, what do I do?

Show up to the first class without a Sponsor. We will provide one for you (for subsequent classes).

Is there any cost associated with RCIA? Do I have to pay for classes?

No. Classes and materials will be provided by our Parish.

If I cannot continue with the RCIA classes, may I come back next year? Do I have to provide explanations?

Yes, you may return next year. You will need to start the process again, but you are certainly welcome to return.

And explanations are not required, although you may speak confidentially with any of us, if you desire.

What do I need to do to prepare for classes?

• First, pray. Prayer is most important.
• Second, show up. We will provide all books and materials.
• Third, if you already have specific questions about the Catholic Church, write them down or type them up. Do this every week. Then, give them to us at class.
• Fourth, we will give assignments. Participate, read, study, reflect. The more you are actively engaged, the more you will benefit from this important process.
• Fifth, give thanks to God for His many blessings.

May I attend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and/or other Catholic Devotions, seminars, and events during my Initiation process?

Most certainly, yes. We encourage you to attend activities and events that interest you. (Weekly bulletins provide information on all that happens at our Church. Go here for our most recent bulletin.)

While you cannot receive Communion until the Easter Vigil, experiencing Mass weekly, even daily, would be most beneficial. If you have questions about the Mass, let us know.