The RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

My Dear Parishioners,

This week we welcome Fr. Chanlis Chacko to speak to us about the Missions in his home diocese of Pathanamthitta, India. Thank you for your generous support of the Missions. I realize that it is awkward running two “back-to-back” mission collections, but we can only work with the schedule that the Archdiocese and the Pontifical Mission Society provide us. So next week will be another important second collection, for the Black and Indian Missions. After my letter, I am including a letter from our Archbishop regarding this collection.

Now is also the time to think about adults who might be interested in learning more about our faith. If you know someone who you think might be interested, please have them give me a call. The RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a program offered by the church to instruct those that are not of our faith. In addition, we have combined these classes with those who may have been baptized in the Catholic faith, but never completed their catechesis. We are always looking for new team members willing to share their faith and walk with others on their journey. If you can help us, please contact me.

God Bless you,
Fr. Bordonaro

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Black and Indian Mission Collection has changed the landscape of evangelization and education efforts for Native Americans, Alaskan Americans and African Americans throughout the United States. Your financial contribution to this fund assists clergy, religious and lay catechists, parishes, schools and catechetical centers for the evangelization of the Black and Native American peoples throughout our country.

As we embark on another year of evangelization in the Black Catholic, Native American and Alaskan Native communities, everyone is encouraged to make a difference by offering their prayers for the fruitful support of the missions in the United States and to consider expressing concretely their Christian solidarity through sacrificial offerings.

Your support impacts the daily pastoral work of our bishops, consecrated religious women and men, and lay- leadership who labor on Indian reservations, urban centers, Black Catholic and Alaskan Native parishes, mission schools and the many, many diocesan programs and projects that strengthen the work of the Gospel. Locally, through grants awarded from this collection, a number of parishes within the Archdiocese are able to fund pastoral outreach and evangelization programs. It is only through your continued generosity of this collection that such efforts are realized.

The Collection for the Black and Indian Missions will be held in parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on the weekend of September 4 and 5, 2021. I ask your continued prayers and generous financial support of this collection.

Sincerely in Christ,
+Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia