My name is Rusty Bourque. I write this message as the head of Sacred Heart’s Rite of Christian Initiation process. Usually abbreviated as RCIA, it is for any adult who has yet to receive one or more of what are called the Sacraments of Initiation--Baptism, Eucharist, and/or Confirmation. Only once all three are received is one considered to be fully Catholic—a Catholic adult. If any Sacred Heart parishioner has never received any of these Sacraments and would like to consider learning more about the Catholic faith and receiving them, I ask you to think and pray about joining our RCIA program this year. Classes start in October.

Now, you may be wondering, “Isn’t coming to church and praying enough? Why do I need to receive my sacraments?”

The seven sacraments, all instituted by Jesus Christ himself, were created to be the source of grace in our lives. The first sacrament that we receive is Baptism. On your birth day you are born into this world, and in Baptism you are born again as a child of God. Baptism cleanses us of our sins and brings the Holy Spirit into our souls.

In Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you received at Baptism are strengthened and intensified. Saint Augustine explained it well when he said that in Baptism we are mixed with water so that we may take the form of bread, the Body of Christ. But bread needs to be baked in a fire. This fire is supplied in Confirmation by the Holy Spirit, who came down on Pentecost like tongues of fire.

But the source and summit of the Christian life is the Holy Eucharist. Just as in a relationship with a husband and wife there are many forms of intimacy. You can talk, hold hands, hug, and kiss. But the most intimate a husband and wife become is when they become one flesh in the marital embrace. It is the same way with God. We can sing hymns of praise. We can read scripture. We can sit in silence with God. But the most intimate that we can get with God is when we become one flesh with him in the Holy Eucharist, when we receive him into our body. You hear TV evangelists talking about having a personal relationship with Jesus. Well, being united with Christ, his body, blood, soul, and divinity - it just does not get more personal than that.

There is power in the Eucharist, as well as all of the other sacraments, and RCIA gives you a chance to tap into some of that power. So think about it. Pray about it. Even if you are unsure about receiving your sacraments, you are welcome to come to our classes and learn more about the Catholic faith. Please contact Dru at the church office for more info. God love you.