Sacramental Preparation

RCIA: RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

The RCIA is a process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church. Beginning with a period of inquiry, persons considering membership in the Catholic Church are encouraged to ask questions, pray with members of Ascension Parish, and share their faith experience with us. The process is accented by a series of rites, each of which celebrates stages of relationship between the candidate and the Catholic Church. The process is open to all unbaptized persons, those baptized into other faith traditions, and to Catholics who wish to complete their own initiation through Confirmation. Many gifts are needed to facilitate the RCIA process.
We invite confirmed Catholics into a ministry which promises to make good use of your gifts, enables you to help others grow, and offers to help you better understand and grow in your own faith. SPONSORS and members of sponsoring groups walk with the new persons, introducing them to the parish and sharing faith with them. HOSPITALITY FACILITATORS are responsible for welcoming persons at RCIA gatherings and setting up refreshments. CATECHISTS lead discussion of a particular area of Catholic faith drawn from the Sunday readings, sharing from both his / her own experience and the teachings of the Church. Members of a RITES PREPARATION team plan and coordinate the various rites associated with RCIA. Whatever your gifts, we will help you to choose an appropriate ministry within RCIA, and give you sufficient support to carry out that ministry.

CHILDREN’S INITIATION

The children’s initiation process, based on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process of welcoming school-age children as new members in the Roman Catholic Church. The children’s process is open to unbaptized school-age children, children baptized into other faith traditions, and baptized Catholic children who have not received formal religious education and wish to complete their initiation through First Communion and Confirmation. The children and their families are involved in the process.
CATECHIST - teaches the catechetical sessions on the doctrinal
theme drawn from the readings.
DISMISSAL LEADER - leads the children from Mass after the homily
and guides a reflection on the Scripture readings proclaimed at Mass.
SPONSORING FAMILY - accompanies the children and their families to Mass, to monthly family sessions, and to other occasional parish functions.
HOSPITALITY TEAM - provides a welcoming atmosphere and refreshments for the families.

INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION

This ministry is comprised of 3 teams of 2 couples who meet with parents/sponsors of infants and pre-school aged children to inform and instruct them in preparation for the Rite of Baptism.
Sessions are held the first Sunday of every month, excluding January, May, and July, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in the Parish Office Building.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST EUCHARIST

Each year, in cooperation with Ascension School and Religious Education Programs, Ascension sponsors parent sessions to assist parents in preparing their children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Materials and guidelines are given to parents to help them prepare their children. For information or to volunteer, contact the school at 254-5411 or the Religious Education Office at 254-0622.

CONFIRMATION

Each year, in cooperation with Ascension School and Religious Education Programs, Ascension sponsors a process for students in Grades 7 & up to prepare for Confirmation. Students also take part in various service opportunities; there are many opportunities for adults to volunteer as mentors/coordinators. Contact the School at 254-5411 or the Religious Education Office at 254-0622.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION WORKSHOP TEAM

The Marriage Preparation Workshop Program is sponsored by the Dayton Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Saturday workshops are prepared and facilitated by teams of married couples from a variety of parishes in the area. Ascension’s team presents one workshop a year. The team members share their experiences and reflections on the topics of communication, finances, sexuality, spirituality, interfaith marriage, and natural family planning to approximately fifty couples preparing for marriage. Each married couple on the team has one topic to present or may act as the host couple, assuring meal and snack preparations are made. The team usually consists of seven couples. If you are interested in becoming a member of the team, or are interested in attending the workshop as a pre-Cana couple, please contact the Parish Office, 253-5171.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION

Ascension offers a comprehensive marriage preparation program which involves meeting with a priest or deacon, dialoging with a married couple from the parish and meeting other engaged couples at a “Pre-Cana Day”. The engaged couple should contact the parish office and meet with a member of the parish clergy at least 6-8 months before the desired wedding date. Please do not sign date-specific contracts for reception sites, caterers, etc., until after the first sit-down meeting with an Ascension priest or deacon.

WEDDING REHEARSALS

A parishioner leads the wedding party in rehearsal for their wedding. This usually takes place on the evening before the wedding.