R.C.I.A.
Are you thinking about becoming Catholic?
Perhaps you or someone you know has lots of questions about the Catholic faith and would like to explore what it means to be a Catholic Christian.
If so, we invite you and/or your friend(s) to join us, raise those questions, and talk about the spiritual journey.
If you or anyone you know would like to learn more, please contact Fr Benson Okpara or Justin Huyck at (330) 492-3119, frbenson@stmichaelcanton.org, or justin@stmichaelcanton.org.
If you wish to continue inquiring about the Catholic faith, you will be invited into a process called the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” (RCIA), which includes engaging in parish liturgies (Mass) and service, as well as regular but flexible gatherings on Tuesday and/or Wednesday evening. In this process, you will find a warm and welcoming community, inspiration and learning.
February and March Gatherings:
Weekend Mass Times: Saturday at 4pm and Sundays at 8:30am, 11am, and 5:30pm (Dismissal of Catechumens and Breaking Open the Word at 11am Mass)
Service: See St. Michael Social Justice and Outreach Website to sign up for opportunities
In-person gatherings are currently suspended, pending resolution of COVID-19 precautions. We are now meeting via Zoom until further notice: Click here.
SUNDAY, APRIL 5: PALM SUNDAY
Thursday, April 9: Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper (7pm); Morning Prayer at 8:30am (all online)
Friday, April 10: Good Friday (3pm: Liturgy of Lord's Passion; Morning prayer at 8am) (online)
Saturday, April 11: Holy Saturday: 8:30am Morning Prayer; 8:30pm: Easter Vigil (online)
SEASON OF EASTER (MYSTAGOGY)
Wednesday, April 15: Monthly Social Justice Ministries Gathering (7pm, Fannon Center)
Wednesday, April 22: Taize Prayer (7pm, Church)
Sunday, April 26: Volunteer Appreciation Party (12:15pm - 2pm, Fannon Center) - RSVP with Justin
Thursday, April 30: Spirits and Spirituality (Adults in 20's and 30's) (7pm, Local Restaurant)
Tuesday, May 5: Mystagogy Gathering Conversation and Celebration (7pm, Fannon Center)
Wednesday, May 27: Guided Adoration (7pm, Church)
Weekly Resources
The Sunday Liturgy Web Site at St. Louis Unversity offers prayer and reflection resources for each Sunday's readings, including a link to the readings.
New Life and Lord's Prayer
- Out of the Depths (Fifth Week of Lent Resources)
- Brother Casey Cole on Lazarus and Death
- Lord's Prayer
- Bishop Robert Barron on the Lord's Prayer
- Bishop Robert Barron on Hell and God's Love
Living as Children of Light, Living the Creed
- Sunday Readings and Prayer (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
- Watch and Pray St Michael Mass Online
- Connection and Communion Blog - Weekly Resources and Prayer
- Apostles' Creed and Masai Creed
- Catholic Social Teaching 101 (7 Videos)
- Closing Prayer: The Angelus (in preparation for tomorrow's Solemnity of the Annunciation)
Morality and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- CST 101: The Dignity of the Human Person
- Morality - Google Slides
- How to Go to Confession Handout
- Recommended Reading: Living the Sacraments, Chapter 5 (Sacrament of Reconciliation)
Vocation
- Variety of Vocations Handout
- Called to Life (from Communities of Calling) – We are using pages 22-25
- Video: Father James Martin, S.J. on Vocation and Desire
- Prezi Presentation on Marriage
- Extra Vocation Video: Extra Video: Kathleen Cahalan on Vocation and Baptismal Discipleship
- Recommended Reading: Living the Sacraments, Chapters 7 and 8: (Matrimony and Holy Orders)
PAST GATHERINGS AND SEASONS:
Confirmation
- Google Slides (Review): The Church
- Our Diocesan Church: Diocese of Youngstown; St. Columba Cathedral; History of St. Joseph Church
- Video: Bishop Robert Barron on Confirmation and Gifts of the Spirit
- Online Resource: Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Recommended Reading: Living the Sacraments, Chapter 3 (Confirmation)
Eucharist
- Handouts: Order of Mass and Order of Mass Music
- 60-Second Sermon for Presentation of the Lord: It's the Incarnation Stupid!
- Brother Casey Cole, OFM Videos on the Mass:
- Part 1: Introductory Rites
- Part 2: Liturgy of the Word
- Part 3: Homily, Creed, Universal Prayer
- Part 4: Preparation of the Gifts
- Part 5: Eucharistic Prayer and Communion
- Part 7: Sending Rites
- Catholicism in Focus: What is the Real Presence?
- Video: How to Receive Communion (from Father Dave Dwyer)
- Father James Martin, S.J. Video: Praying the Mass
- Recommended Reading: Living the Sacraments, Chapter 4 (Eucharist)
Baptism
- Video: Bishop Robert Barron on Baptism
- Recommended Reading: Joe Paprocki, Living the Sacraments, Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2 (Learning to Read the Signs and Living the Sacrament of Baptism)
Christmas, Epiphany
- Justin's reflections on Joseph and Epiphany
- Video: Curtis Stephan's arrangement of Of the Father's Love Begotten
- Video: Father Casey Cole on the Incarnation
Late Advent
- O Antiphons: Guide from the Catholic Apostolate Center and accompanying prayers from Creighton University ["O Come O Come Emmanuel" is inspired by the O Antiphons, in addition to many contemporary songs used in the Advent season, including Angrisono's "Emmanuel" Haugen's "My Soul in Stillness Waits"
Advent and the Liturgical Year
- Song: Creator of the Stars by Josh Blakesley (inspired by "Creator of the Stars of Night")
- Article: Advent and the Three Comings of Christ (Creighton University)
- Recommended Reading: A Well- Built Faith, Chapters 7 and 8
- Reflection Question: How does praying for each of these comings "align" our hearts with something deeper, and allow us to "walk in God's paths" - "in the light of the Lord?"
- Handout: Liturgical Seasons
- Handout: Year of Grace 2020 Calendar Guide for LTP's Artistic Calendar
Living Catholic Social Teaching
- Video: Religious Sisters in the United States and their Ministries with those in need
- Catholic Social Teaching 101 (7 principles and videos from Catholic Relief Services)
Scripture: God's Library
- Slides Presentation: The Bible - God's Library
- Recommended Reading: Joe Paprocki, A Well-Built Faith, Chapter 3 (p. 17-24)
Tradition, traditions, and the Saints
- Powerpoint: Tradition, traditions, and the Communion of Saints
- Video: Bishop Robert Barron on All Saints Day
- Link: Saint of the Day (from Franciscan Media)
- Link: Saints Resource (from RCL Benziger)
- Video: Fr James Martin on Pope Francis' Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)
- Video: Fr Casey Cole on Gaudete et Exsultate
- Video/Prayer: Litany of the Saints
- Recommended Reading: Joe Paprocki, A Well-Built Faith, Chapter 3 (p. 17-24) and Chapter 6 (p. 37-46)
Increase our Faith: Mustard-Seed Faith
- Video: C4: What is Faith?
- Video: Bishop Robert Barron on Faith
- Recommended Reading: Joe Paprocki, A Well-Built Faith, p. 1-16
Inquiry Gatherings: Our Spiritual Journeys and the RCIA
- John 1 - Jesus' Question: What are you looking for? (Handout with Reading and Reflection Questions)
- Prayer of First Principle and Foundation
- Video: Spirituality Matters
- Video: How do I become Catholic? (Intro to RCIA)
- Handout: Periods of the RCIA
- Video: Catholic Social Teaching (CST) 101: Life and Dignity of the Human Person (first of seven principles of CST)
- Thomas Merton Prayer
