April 19, 2012
In an uplifting conclusion to eight months of study and reflection
through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
(RCIA) at St. John's University, 18 students received the
Sacraments of Initiation as they made their commitment to a life of
faith at St. Thomas More Church on Sunday, April 15. During the
5:30 p.m. student mass, participants received the Sacraments of
Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Bishop
Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, presided
at the liturgy. The RCIA process includes prayer, study and
reflection within the Catholic faith and welcomes non-Catholics as
well as Catholics, who may not have received some of the sacraments
as children.
Photo Gallery
The 14 students from the Queens campus
include:
Teresa Abulafia
Eddie Bonilla
Evelyn Contreras
Tom Dingman
Anna Dwyer
Trina LuSoto
Eve Markowska
Sophia Markowska
Amanda Savino
Samantha Melendez
Adam Stockinger
Richardson Talavera
Nicole Zaremba
Flor Zuniga
The four students from Staten Island campus
include:
Malcolm Cain, Jr.
Marisa Cocchiarella
April Francis
Kaitlyn Kokoram
When asked about how the RCIA process influenced her, Samantha
Melendez stated, “RCIA has helped me to develop and strengthen my
faith so much. It has allowed me to dive into my faith in a way
that I never expected. I learned a lot about the Catholic
traditions and how to apply the teachings to my everyday life. The
RCIA process opened so many new doors for me and I feel so much
love participating in more campus ministry activities. I know that
the people I've met on this RCIA journey and all the things that
I've learned will be with me for the rest of my life.”
Katrina Lusoto added,“RCIA has actually done a lot for me this past
year. Before starting the program, other than it being a community
I wanted to be part of, I did not know that much about Catholicism.
Meeting together in a group every week to learn and share has
really strengthened my faith. Now that I've completed the program,
I feel like a true part of the Catholic community.”
The RCIA process at St. John’s begins in September and continues
through Easter. Students gather each week to study the catechism,
the bible, sacraments, social justice teachings, the saints,
prayer, faith sharing and much more. Supported by our community of
faith, RCIA members begin to understand the importance of community
and relationships as they grow in their understanding of God.
“Witnessing this liturgy is such an inspirational moment for me. It
is simply amazing to watch these students come forward and make
this commitment of faith,” notes Trish Scalese, Director of RCIA
and Campus Ministry for Faith Formation and Liturgy. “In doing so,
it celebrates and renews the faith of everyone in attendance. It is
a wonderful reminder of the beauty of community and how it reflects
the generosity and love of God.”
For more information about joining the
RCIA program for 2012-2013, please contact
Trish Scalese at (718) 990-2125, scalesep@stjohns.edu
or write:
Patricia Scalese
St. John's University
Campus Ministry
Director of Faith Formation and Liturgy
St. Thomas More Church
8000 Utopia Parkway
Oueens, NY 11439