Ministry Highlight Series Ep. 1: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults [RCIA]

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Today marks the first installment of a new series highlighting the many ministries at our parish. The goal of this series is to show how volunteering our time, talent, and treasure allows God’s work to be done with our hands.

The first ministry to be highlighted is the RCIA Ministry (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Ministry leader Frank Miller and the team of volunteers, as well as the Catechumens and Candidates who participate, have all contributed.

“RCIA is central to the Church’s call to evangelize. ”

What is the history of your ministry at STA Parish?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults enter the Church. Following the Second Vatican Council, the Rite was updated to its present form. At that time, the infant and young adult liturgy was also updated. St. Thomas the Apostle has had an RCIA ministry at least from the early 1980’s. RCIA is central to the Church’s call to evangelize. We welcome inquirers to the Catholic faith, Catholics and other baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church as well as Catholic adults seeking to broaden their knowledge of Church teaching. The RCIA seeks each year to become a small Christian Community for the duration of the rite. All who participate contribute and are blessed by it.

What is your role in the ministry?

I (Frank) first became involved with the rite in 1985 when Fr. Richard Villenova was its moderator. Since that time, I have participated in this ministry in varying degrees and roles. This Spring will mark my second year as the ministry coordinator. Dr. Bob Miller led the RCIA ministry with great distinction for about 20 years up to that time. Over the years, I have accompanied over 100 new and returning Catholics. Each year we welcome inquirers who seek full initiation into the Church. Catechumens are those seeking Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Baptized Christians who seek First Eucharist and or Confirmation are Candidates.

Describe the call you felt to participate in this particular ministry, and how you ended up joining the team.

 My 40-year work career has been in power generation and industrial maintenance. But it was RCIA that led me back to college as an adult. I received a B.A. degree in Philosophy and Catholic Tradition and an M.A. in Theology and Philosophy. Our RCIA has a history of wonderful witnesses to the faith and excellent teachers. We strive to maintain their legacy.

What does an average RCIA meeting look like? What are the general activities of a team member?

Our meetings generally follow a consistent format that provides structure and a relaxed environment. We begin after Sunday mass in the St. Thomas room in the Parish Center. We pray, have a topic presentation, a discussion, share the Sunday readings, and close with prayers and intercessions. We conduct the RCIA in its four prescribed parts. Each part has a specific focus toward the sacramental life of the Church.

The first few weeks are the Inquiry. Inquirers are introduced or re-introduced to Catholic Christianity by the beautiful Word on Fire Ministries’ Catholicism videos. The next part is the Catechumenate. This longest part begins with the Rite of Acceptance for Catechumens at Sacred Heart Cathedral in the beginning of November and lasts to the beginning of Lent. This part focuses on instruction in the faith and sacramental life. The third part is the Enlightenment during the weeks leading up to Easter. We read and reflect upon the Sunday scriptures using their four-fold senses as taught by the Church.

If we have any Catechumens, they receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. These are Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. Following Easter until Pentecost is the fourth part of the RCIA. Mystogogy is the time focused on life in the Church. We share experiences of active Catholic life in the parish and the wider Church. The RCIA process ends each year at Pentecost. Our candidates receive First Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

We recognize that is a challenging schedule for adults with work, school, and family commitments. The commitment of all participants demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit. The practical evidence of this commitment is our excellent and committed RCIA volunteers at St. Thomas. Our volunteers minister in the RCIA often over many years. Some are past candidates who continue to serve the Church in this ministry. Each meeting is well planned with refreshment hospitality provided by our gracious volunteers. The call of the Holy Spirit leads people to the RCIA. In turn, our primary task is to put them at ease. We seek to inform them, address their questions, and encourage their experience in faith. Their questions need answers. These are the important questions of life. Why am I here? Is Christ calling me? What is this all about? Is there a point to this life? And many more, like “Why do Catholics do that?”

What is the importance of the RCIA ministry to the overall life and vitality of the parish?

RCIA is the way we evangelize people seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ in his Church. Although our meetings are after masses, there are rites and specific blessings for the catechumens entering the Church and candidates preparing to fulfill their initiation during masses at St. Thomas and on occasion at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The process is integrated into parish life.

It is a very particular blessing to see so many former RCIA inquirers at mass on Sundays. Christian formation as an adult has proven to be transformative for a lifetime and thereby essential for the life of our parish.

What is the best thing about serving in this ministry?

My fellow volunteers and I often reflect on the great blessing we experience in this ministry. The faith of the inquirers inspires us. Each topic and discussion continue our own formation and encourages us to deeper faith life.

What is something that has surprised you about serving in this ministry?

There at two amazing blessings that may be surprises at first, but soon reveal themselves as actions of the Holy Spirit. The impact the many weeks of study, prayer, and community make overt and heartfelt changes in every single inquirer. The Gospel message is not lost on anyone. The second is the commitment and dedicated service of our current RCIA volunteers and also all those I had the pleasure of serving with over the last 30 odd years. Their generosity of spirit and willingness to accompany people walking their way to “Emmaus” are both a corporal and spiritual work of mercy.

What opportunities are there for people looking to get involved?

We welcome parishioners who wish to take part as volunteers or attend meetings in support of our inquirers. Great depth of knowledge or experience in religious instruction are not requirements. The only need is the desire to share your faith with people who wish to learn seek the full participation in the Catholic Church. Praying with them and encouraging them is good for the soul.

How can someone make an inquiry about joining the RCIA team?

Anyone interested in our RCIA ministry is welcome to contact us at rcia@stachurchbloomfield.org.

Support members of our Music Ministry: Cathedral Performance of Beethoven's Mass in C Minor 4/28 at 8pm

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Come support members of the STA Music Ministry as they join 70 other singers from parishes all over the Archdiocese for The Archdiocesan Choral Festival with New Jersey Symphony.

They will be singing the Mass in C Major by Ludwig van Beethoven in the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

The concert is on Friday, April 28th at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm. Parking and security available. Free-will Offering.

Get your tickets for the 300 Club Now! Less than 100 remaining!

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UPDATE: Fewer than 100 tickets remain!

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish presents: 300 Club!

St. Thomas the Apostle and your Finance Council invite you and your friends to participate in our raffle. You will find that this raffle is better than State Lotteries, Casino Slots, or Bingo.

Here is how it works:

  • ONLY 300 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD!!!

  • Prizes are as follows:

    • First Prize is $ 10,500.00 or 35% of tickets sold

    • Second Prize is $ 3,000.00 or 10% of tickets sold

    • Third Prize is $ 1,500.00 or 5% of tickets sold

  • The Raffle will be held on Thursday May 25, 2023 (winners need not be present)

  • Click the button below to download the form with full instructions.

Reserve your tickets now!

download form

Can you take photos and videos for STA Church?

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The Communications Committee is seeking individuals who can help create visual content for STA's online presence by taking photos and videos of church events and parish life!

Individuals should be available to commit to attending church events as they are able to take photos and videos, and are ideally a hobbyist or professional photographer. They must be comfortable interacting with people to obtain consent forms as needed, and digitally sharing photos and videos. Light photo editing skills are helpful.

Please email the Communications Committee at communications@stachurchbloomfield.org if you are interested.

Marriage Anniversary Mass Saturday, May 20th (Calling all married couples celebrating a milestone year!)

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Are you celebrating a marriage anniversary milestone this year (1, 5, 10, 25, 40, 50+ years of marriage)?

We would love to help you celebrate your marriage milestone with a special Marriage Anniversary Mass here at St Thomas the Apostle Church on Saturday, May 20th at 5pm. The Anniversary Mass is a special way in which the Church can continue to honor sacramental unions and celebrate couples on their special milestone.

Please email patrice.maher@stachurchbloomfield.org or contact the Parish Center at (973) 338-9190 x135 if you would like to be part of this special celebration by May 15th, 2023.

Deacon Tom's Homily for Sunday, April 16th - The Second Sunday of Easter

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IMAGINE THAT ST. THOMAS THE Apostle is speaking to us here this morning. “Hi, Everybody. Everybody good? Nice Church!

IN TODAY’S GOSPEL, I’M CALLED “Didymus” which means “twin” in Greek, because I do have a twin. Each one of you here today is my twin!

I’VE BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE THREE questions for me. First, on that first Easter Sunday evening, why wasn’t I there in that locked room with the other Apostles? Second, why didn’t I believe what the others told me about that evening? And, third, what was it like to put my fingers into Jesus’ nail marks and into His side?

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE REASON I wasn’t in the upper room with the others was because everything I believed in, everything I gave myself to had collapsed! My Beloved Leader had just been arrested and horribly crucified! How could God allow this man who showed only compassion and forgiveness, who taught only kindness, how could God let Him be brutally executed as a common criminal?

I WAS DEVASTATED, COMPLETELY overwhelmed. I just had to be alone.

TO ANSWER YOUR SECOND question, when the other Apostles told me that Jesus had appeared to them that first Easter evening, it was just too much to be believed! Impossible! No one had ever come back from the dead! Were they out of their minds? I refused to believe it unless I saw it with my own two eyes! But, deep down, a part of me was hoping beyond hope that it was really true!

AS FOR THE EXPERIENCE OF placing my finger into Jesus’ wounds, each of you will one day have this same experience when you first enter heaven. You will see the Risen Jesus standing there in front of you, dressed in a long white garment, His Glorified Body aglow. His voice is surprisingly familiar as He says: “Peace be with you.” You feel His Peace entering your heart, just as I did, filling you with His Gentleness, warming you, calming you, healing you. His Hands reach out to you and you see His Glorious Wounds.

BUT IT’S WHEN YOU LOOK INTO His eyes, my twin, then you will finally understand everything. You too will see God there. This changes everything! As you fall to your knees, these words will come rushing out of your mouth, just as they did out of mine, “My Lord and My God!”