RCIC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How should I prepare my child for their sacraments?
- As a family, go to Mass each week with your child to give them a better understanding of what they will receive in the Sacrament, to learn the prayers and responses and to practice genuflecting and kneeling in the pew. Attending Mass will also help your child recognize the sacredness of the Eucharist and learn about the Catholic faith.
- Here is a link for the All Saints Mass Schedule: https://allsaintsvachurch.org/praying/worship/
- Pray every day with your child. Children must know the following prayers in the language of their choosing: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
- Read the Bible with your child. See this link for an online version of the Bible found at the Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_INDEX.HTM
- If your child is Baptized, review the sacrament of reconciliation with your child and practice the steps of the sacrament. Explain the sacrament and your experience of receiving the sacrament so that your child will be more comfortable. All parents registered for the sacrament will receive an email link to a video on reconciliation, and the All Saints guides to reconciliation.
Q. What are the registration requirements?
To completely register your child for the RCIC sacraments the following is needed:
- Two years of sacramental education in All Saints Religious Education, a parochial school, or an approved home school program.
- Completed registration application, due January 13, 2022
- If your child is baptized, a copy of BOTH SIDES of your child’s baptismal certificate, including the Church seal
- If your child is baptized, the full and current address of the Church of Baptism
- If your child is not baptized, a copy of their birth certificate
- Children in grades 2-8: Registration fee of $30 (No child is denied Sacraments if there is an inability to pay. Please contact Tracy Polanco at 703-393-2142 ext. 216 for more information).
- Children in grades 9-12: Registration fee of $50 (No child is denied Sacraments if there is an inability to pay. Please contact Tracy Polanco at 703-393-2142 ext. 216 for more information).
Q. When is the Registration deadline?
The registration deadline for the 2020-2021 catechetical year is January 13, 2022. The electronic registration form, the copy of the Baptismal Certificate or Birth Certificate, and the sacrament registration fee must all be submitted to complete the registration.
Q. How do I get the registration form document?
Click on the Registration button under the RCIC tab on the All Saints Religious Education webpage.
Q. How do I submit my registration documents?
Email the registration form and the scanned copy (or photo) of the baptismal certificate or birth certificate to: Tracy Polanco at cifc@allsaintsva.org. The fee may be paid at https://www.allsaintsreligiouseducation.org/rcicpayment.html. If parents are not able to submit forms electronically, they should call Tracy Polanco at 703-393-2142 ext. 216.
Q. Is my child receiving all three sacraments? Which three?
If your child is unbaptized and older than the age of 7 then yes, they have started the process of Christian initiation (known also as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children or RCIC) which prepares you to enter into the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Q. What if my child is Baptized? What Sacraments will he/she receive?
If your child is already Baptized, the initiation process prepares to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Q. When is First Reconciliation?
For those who are Baptized, their First Reconciliation will be on February 12, 2022. If they wish their child to receive before this date, parents may also take their child to any regularly scheduled confession service at a Catholic church.
For those who are unbaptized, after the child receives all 3 sacraments, they will be able to go to Reconciliation on their own with their family. Baptism erases all sins so they will not need to go before they receive the sacraments.
For those who are unbaptized, after the child receives all 3 sacraments, they will be able to go to Reconciliation on their own with their family. Baptism erases all sins so they will not need to go before they receive the sacraments.
Q. What are the requirements of the Sponsor?
Each candidate must choose one Sponsor. The Sponsor must:
If a candidate does not have an approved sponsor by this date, one may be assigned.
- Be a practicing Catholic
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Have received the Sacraments of Initiation
- If married, they must be married in the Catholic Church
- NOT be the mother or father of the candidate to be confirmed
If a candidate does not have an approved sponsor by this date, one may be assigned.
Q. Will there be a RCIC retreat? How do I sign up for a retreat?
All students must attend a sacrament retreat. For the retreats, students will be separated by grade.
Grades 3-5: Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Grades 6-8: Saturday, February 26, 2022
Grades 9-12: Saturday March 12, 2022 from 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
The 3rd – 5th grade retreat and the 6th – 8th grade retreat will be held at All Saints Church. Both of these retreats will be a half day retreat.
The high school retreat will be held off campus and will be with the All Saints high school confirmation retreat. This retreat will be held at Linton Hall School in Bristow, VA and will include the meals of lunch and dinner.
Grades 3-5: Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Grades 6-8: Saturday, February 26, 2022
Grades 9-12: Saturday March 12, 2022 from 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
The 3rd – 5th grade retreat and the 6th – 8th grade retreat will be held at All Saints Church. Both of these retreats will be a half day retreat.
The high school retreat will be held off campus and will be with the All Saints high school confirmation retreat. This retreat will be held at Linton Hall School in Bristow, VA and will include the meals of lunch and dinner.
Q. Does the RCIC student have to choose a saint name?
Candidates and Catechumens will choose a saint who lived their life in a way that the student sees as a great example of living in a Christ-like way. The student can ask the patron saint for help and guidance, and to pray for his or her intentions. Saints were human beings who are now deceased and have been declared as saints by the Catholic Church.
Students must write and submit a report on the saint they want to choose. They need to include the particular information listed on the Saint Report Guide. This will be found in the information that will be emailed to you once your sacrament registration is received and complete.
They must submit this report by March 4, 2022.
For the report, reliable sources can be found at the parish library. There are also reliable Catholic sources can also be found on the internet.
It is important to note that if a candidate does not receive approval for a selected patron saint by March 4, 2022, one may be assigned by the pastor.
Students must write and submit a report on the saint they want to choose. They need to include the particular information listed on the Saint Report Guide. This will be found in the information that will be emailed to you once your sacrament registration is received and complete.
They must submit this report by March 4, 2022.
For the report, reliable sources can be found at the parish library. There are also reliable Catholic sources can also be found on the internet.
It is important to note that if a candidate does not receive approval for a selected patron saint by March 4, 2022, one may be assigned by the pastor.
Q.Is the RCIC student required to complete a service program?
As part of our program, we ask the students to perform works of service for their church and community. It helps them to understand their role in the community of the church. It also helps them to understand a life of discipleship: by serving and loving others, we are serving and loving God. Even young children can perform works of service.
The program is divided into two groups: one for children in grades 2-7 and another in grades 8-12. The service program will be based on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These are actions we can perform that help give God’s mercy to those who are in need.
The corporal works of mercy are: feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead and give alms to the poor. The spiritual works of mercy acts of compassion including: instruct, advise, console, comfort, forgive, and bear wrongs patiently.
Parents and students will be sent a list of suggestions to get them started, but there are so many ways to complete these works of mercy. Give some examples from the sheet.
The students will need to complete and submit a log of their service by April 25, 2022.
Students in grades 8-12 will complete 10 hours of corporal works of mercy and 10 of spiritual works of mercy.
Students in grades 2-5 will complete 5 hours of corporal works of mercy and 5 of spiritual works of mercy.
The program is divided into two groups: one for children in grades 2-7 and another in grades 8-12. The service program will be based on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These are actions we can perform that help give God’s mercy to those who are in need.
The corporal works of mercy are: feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead and give alms to the poor. The spiritual works of mercy acts of compassion including: instruct, advise, console, comfort, forgive, and bear wrongs patiently.
Parents and students will be sent a list of suggestions to get them started, but there are so many ways to complete these works of mercy. Give some examples from the sheet.
The students will need to complete and submit a log of their service by April 25, 2022.
Students in grades 8-12 will complete 10 hours of corporal works of mercy and 10 of spiritual works of mercy.
Students in grades 2-5 will complete 5 hours of corporal works of mercy and 5 of spiritual works of mercy.
Q. Is there a final assessment for my student?
All students will be evaluated through 2 assessments during the catechetical year. These assessments will evaluate your child’s knowledge of the basics of the Catholic faith and their understanding of the sacraments. The students must be properly formed in the basics of the Catholic faith before receiving the sacraments.
- For those students who are being educated through All Saints RE online and in-person classes, they will receive 2 basic assessments according to grade level: one in January and one in the end of March. Students in in-person classes will receive the assessments in class.
- Students in MCFD will have the assessments emailed to them and they will be taken online through Google Forms. Parents will receive a study guide for their children.
- For students who are being educated in parochial schools, the DRE will be in contact with the parochial school and their teacher to gauge their readiness for the sacrament.
Q. When is my child's sacrament Mass?
The sacraments will be celebrated at All Saints Catholic Church on May 7, 2022 at a 9:00 am Mass.
There will be a mandatory rehearsal on April 28 at 7:00 pm.
There will be a mandatory rehearsal on April 28 at 7:00 pm.
Q. What are the expectations for attire for boys for the sacrament Mass?
Boys receiving the sacraments should wear dress pants, dress shirt, and dress shoes. They can wear a suit, but this is not a requirement. The color of the suit or pants can be traditional white or another color (gray, dark blue, black, khaki, etc.). The shirt can be white, but does not have to be. It should be a dress shirt and not a polo. They may also wear a vest, jacket, and/or tie, but these are not required. They should not wear earrings or carry anything in their hands. This includes Bibles, rosaries, and candles.
Q. What are the expectations for attire for girls for the sacrament Mass?
Girls receiving the sacraments should wear a modest-cut dress or skirt, knee-length or longer. A white or pastel color is preferred. Alternatively, they may wear trousers of any color. The dress or top must have sleeves of a minimum of 3-inch wide shoulder straps. No flip-flops are permitted. They may wear flowers in their hair, a tiara or a veil if they would like, but it is not required. They should not carry purses or anything in their hands. This includes Bibles, rosaries and candles.
Q. Can my family hire a Photographer/Videographer for the sacrament Mass?
At their Confirmation, the confirmation candidates are receiving the Holy Spirit. This is first and foremost a sacred moment, therefore it is not appropriate to take pictures or video during the Confirmation. Professional videographers and photographers will not be permitted to set up any equipment, including tripods, to record or photograph the Confirmation.