Bishop Solis offers RCIA Lenten retreat

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis listens to a question from one of those attending the ?Waters of Baptism? diocesan RCIA Lenten retreat at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on April 13.

DRAPER — During a half-day retreat on April 13 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for those who will be received into full communion with the Church at the Easter vigil, Bishop Oscar A. Solis offered words of welcome, instruction and encouragement.

The retreat, titled “Waters of Baptism,” began with the Liturgy of the Word. The Gospel reading was that of the Samaritan woman at the well, which “provides us great insights into the importance of baptismal water in our faith and our relationship with Christ,” Bishop Solis said.

As Jesus did with the woman at the well, God takes the initiative to reach out to people, he added. When people encounter God, “it opens many possibilities in our lives,” and they start to understand that fulfillment and eternal life can be found only through God, he said.

If God is present in someone’s life, no matter the challenges or difficulties, “we will still be filled with joy, gladness and satisfaction,” the bishop said.

Those who encounter Christ should not keep the Good News to themselves, he said. Rather, “the sign of a true Christian believer is a disciple of Christ set on a mission to proclaim the gospel of love and salvation to the world.”

Bishop Solis began the retreat by greeting those present and welcoming them into the Catholic faith. He gave a brief overview of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

Baptism, he said, is the sacrament through which “God infuses in us the newness of life, so that we become once again God’s adopted children, so we can call God our father; and in the waters of baptism we become members of the Church, and the Church is the Body of Christ.”

Through Confirmation, “we become not only the soldiers of Christ to defend our faith, but we become Christ’s representatives to the world in the way we live our lives, and our calling as followers of Jesus, that people may come to know that God exists, that God loves and that God continues to save us,” the bishop said.

At Confirmation, Catholics receive the Holy Spirit, a source of inspiration, knowledge and courage who helps “confess our faith and to discern what is true, what is right, what is good,” the bishop said.

In this world, Catholics are on a journey, and the Eucharist “provides food for our body and food for our soul. Jesus himself said in Scripture, ‘Unless you eat of my body and drink of my blood, you have no life within you,’” Bishop Solis said.

The holy Eucharist “we believe, is the living, loving and saving presence of God in the bread and wine that are transformed into Christ’s body, blood, soul and divinity and food for our body and food for our soul,” he added.

Bishop Solis requested three things of those present: to know their faith, to live their faith and to share their faith with others.

“God has a plan for each and every one of you here,” he said, noting that they are bringing new life and enthusiasm into the local Church. He urged them to use their gifts to build the Church and to get involved in their parish by volunteering for ministry.

As he closed, he said, “I assure you of my prayer in your journey of faith as members of our Catholic Church.”