Are you being called to be a sponsor?

​God calls an RCIA sponsor to walk side-by-side with one of His beloved. This relationship is one of love, support, and encouragement. As with any relationship, honesty, communication, vulnerability, and trust are the foundation of it.

As a sponsor you are making a convenant with another brother or sister in Christ that you will be there for them throughout every aspect of their RCIA journey and beyond.  This is a tremendous blessing and a huge responsibility.  This covenant should not be entered into without much prayer and discernment on your part.
​Please review the RCIA sponsor requirements and sponsor commitments as you begin your discernment.

RCIA Sponsor reQUIREMENTS 

1. A sponsor must be at least 16 years of age and a Catholic in good standing who practices his/her faith.
2. A sponsor must be fully initiated (i.e. has already received Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist) and have been a Catholic for at least one year.
3. If married, the sponsor’s marriage must be recognized by the Church.
4. Neither a fiancee, spouse, nor parent may serve as a sponsor for his/her loved one.
5. A sponsor must complete the sponsor commitment form.
6. All sponsors are required to attend an RCIA sponsor training session each Fall.   Wednesday, August 8th or Tuesday, August 24th at 7pm in the Great Hall.

RCIA sponsor Commitments

1. ​The RCIA at St. Francis meets every Sunday morning beginning September 16, 2018 and continues through May 19, 2018. Your participation is required at each Sunday session.
2. ​Beginning on September 16, 2018, we begin our mornings at 11:30am and end at 1:00pm.  Sponsors attend for the full session and attend another weekend Mass.  We meet in the Great Hall of the Parish Center.
3. ​Beginning on November 4, 2018, we begin our mornings with 11:30am Mass and end at 2:00pm.  Sponsors are with us for 11:30am Mass and  join us in the Great Hall immediately following Mass.  
4. ​The RCIA at St. Francis participates in a Fall and Spring retreat.  The retreats are held at St. Francis and begin at 8:30am and end at 3:00pm.  The Fall retreat is held Saturday, November 3, 2018.  The Spring retreat is held Saturday, March 2, 2019.  ​Your participation is required for the entirety of both retreats.
5. Rites, Scrutinies, Presentations, etc. - There are many other commitments outside of Sundays and the two retreats.  During Lent there are several which take place on Friday evening and one on Saturday.  Your participation is required for all of these special events.
6. Your participation in Easter Vigil practice on Saturday, April 13th at 6:30pm is required.  The practice will last several hours.
7. Your presence at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 20th is required with an arrival time of 7:00pm.  The Vigil will last several hours.

Ready to be a sponsor?

The next step in your discernment to join us a sponsor on the journey through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is to complete the RCIA 2018-2019 Sponsor Commitment Form.  Click the button below to access the form.

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