14327 Highland Ave.
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 349-0903
contact@saintmike.com

Pray for Our Candidates and Catechumen – Year 2024


PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ELECT – On Holy Saturday, these six catechumen and candidates will be received into the Catholic Church. They are in the final few weeks of preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. As part of their preparation, these Elect (as we now call those to be baptized and those who will complete their Catholic initiation or to be received into full communion from another Christian denomination) have willingly shared their stories with us and we invite you pray in a special way for each of these Elect throughout Lent.

If you are willing to do a little something extra, you are encouraged to write a letter of support and encouragement. Send or deliver your letters to the St. Michael Parish office labeled, “Letter for Elect (name).”

May their journeys remind us that God is always calling us into a deeper relationship. May they also serve to remind us that we have many reasons to celebrate our Catholic tradition. All are welcome to join us at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30, 2024.

FEBRUARY 18, 2024 (PICTURES) – Congratulations to our RCIA Candidates who are now referred to as our “Elect” – They participated in the Rite of Election on February 18, 2024, at Holy Name Cathedral and were received by Cardinal Cupich. We also thank their sponsors who walk this path with them. We are rapidly approaching Holy Saturday when they will receive sacraments and officially join our Catholic community. Please continue to pray for them in these final weeks.

From Picture Above – Our Elect (left to right): Antonio Lopez, Erik Anderson, Samantha Aguirre, Elizabeth Franco, Dayla Arriaga and Robert Arriaga.


This year, St. Michael and Our Lady of the Woods Parishes have joined to introduce seven Candidates and Catechumen. In addition, St. Michael welcomes two members to the Spanish RCIA program. They have all been studying since September to learn more about our Catholic faith. As you read their personal stories, please offer welcome and support by your prayers.

RITE OF ACCEPTANCE ON JANUARY 14, 2024 – We welcomed six adults who have begun the preparation to join us as full members of the Catholic church – We celebrate the evidence of God’s holy grace through them. From now until Holy Saturday, they will continue to join us weekly at the 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM Mass. After the Prayers of the Faithful, they will leave church to study and learn more about our Catholic faith and beliefs. This year St. Michael and Our Lady of the Woods Parishes have joined to introduce seven Candidates and Catechumen. In addition, St. Michael welcomes two members to the Spanish RCIA program.  They have all been studying since September to learn more about our Catholic faith. As you read their personal stories, please offer welcome and support by your prayers.

“The rite that is called the Rite of Acceptance into the order of Catechumens is of the utmost importance. Assembling publicly for the first time the candidates declare their intention to the Church, and the Church in turn, carrying out its apostolic mission, accepts them as persons who intend to become its members. God showers grace on the candidates. It is desirable that the entire Christian community take an active part in the celebration.” – From the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Church receives these Catechumen and Candidates publicly and we ask for your ongoing prayers: Dayla Arriaga (St. Michael), Robert Arriaga (St. Michael), Erik Anderson (St. Michael), Elizabeth Franco (St. Michael), Samantha Aguirre (St. Michael), Antonio Lopez (St. Michael), Jaycie Shake (Our Lady of the Woods), Nick Espey (Our Lady of the Woods) and Genesis Olivera (Our Lady of the Woods).

Genesis Olvera
Our Lady of the Woods

Growing up my grandmother was a devoted Catholic and she taught me about religion. One of her wishes was to see me married in the Catholic Church, and I am excited to fulfill my promise to her. My favorite part of RCIA has been how welcoming everyone is, learning about the Christian faith, and to be a part of a church that has devotion to God.

Samantha Aguirre
St. Michael

I am 32, married, have four children, and I am in nursing school. My husband and I want to get married in the church and before doing that, I want to finish the RCIA program. I want to set an example for my children. I like meeting every Sunday for Mass. I love how it has brought my family closer to God.

Nick Espey
Our Lady of the Woods

I grew up in Vermont and love to ski – I have been skiing since I was two and have even jumped out of a helicopter to ski! Having a shared faith is important for my wife and I. I grew up in a non-denominational church and a lot of the topics have been a great refresher from what I learned as a kid. I have especially enjoyed learning about the differences in the Catholic faith.

Jaycie Shake
Our Lady of the Woods
Robert Arriaga
St. Michael
Dayla Arriaga
St. Michael

I am 19 and going to college to be a teacher. I am past the age of 18 and wish to complete my sacraments while I am still young. I enjoy RCIA because I have started to learn more about the church and the sacraments.

Erik Anderson
St. Michael

I am the father of three beautiful children and enjoy spending time with my family. Having attended St. Michael for a number of years, I decided to explore the Catholic faith. I enjoy learning about the different prayers and how prayer is important to spiritual health.

Elizabeth Franco
St. Michael

I am a woman, a wife and a mother of four children. I always dreamed of having my sacraments. Two years ago my mother passed away and, in that moment, I felt the spiritual necessity of learning more about God. I have loved this program so much! Deacon Abel and his wife have shown us and nurtured us to love our Christian faith.

About Our RCIA Program


INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT BECOMING CATHOLIC? – THEN RCIA IS FOR YOU! – The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a process of prayer, learning and reflection designed for those exploring the Catholic faith, as well as those seeking to become Catholic and/or receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Maybe you are looking to be Baptized Catholic. Perhaps you are married to a Catholic and wish to find out more about your spouse’s faith. Perhaps you are already a Catholic and never received your First Eucharist and Confirmation. Or perhaps you are baptized in another Christian faith, but have thought about becoming a Catholic. The RCIA Journey in Faith is for all of you!

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about being welcomed in the Catholic Faith, please call Donna McDonough at 708-403-2122 or call the parish office at 708-349-0903 for more information.

The RCIA is not a series of classes that you take in order to “graduate” as Catholic. Rather, it is a conversion to the Christian life.

The RCIA process is for people who are interested in the Roman Catholic faith and who would like to pursue learning about our religion and join our community of believers. The process of RCIA traces its roots back to the earliest days of Christian communities, when all members shared their faith with newcomers as a way of teaching them about the new WAY – the Way of Jesus the Risen Lord.

Before the Rite, as we know it, was defined about 50+ years ago, those who wished to learn more about the Catholic religion and “convert” met with the parish priest for individual instruction. Now we share the privilege and responsibility of communal spirit, teaching and faith sharing.

Maybe you are looking to be Baptized Catholic. Perhaps you are married to a Catholic and wish to find out more about your spouse’s faith. Perhaps you are already a Catholic and never received your First Eucharist and Confirmation. Or perhaps you are baptized in another Christian faith, but have thought about becoming a Catholic. The RCIA Journey in Faith is for all of you!

Catechumens (those who wish to be baptized in the Catholic faith and become full members) and Candidates (this wishing to complete their initiation in the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation) are guided by catechists, sponsors, and parish staff who welcome them and accompany them on their faith journey.

Becoming a Catholic is not just a matter of learning and accepting a number of beliefs. It is a process of growth and conversation. This is why it is called a “Journey in Faith”. It involves personal growth, as well as growing into a particular Catholic community or parish. For this reason each parish in the Catholic Church is responsible for its own RCIA process.

Those who want to enquire more seriously into becoming a Catholic will need a sponsor who will pray for and support the enquirer on the Journey in Faith. The sponsor is meant to be a fellow pilgrim on the journey, and must be a Catholic. The sponsor may be a spouse or friend. However, if the enquirer does not know anyone suitable, the parish will be happy to suggest someone.

Ordinary parishioners can join this journey of faith and many find the sessions helpful in developing their knowledge of their Catholic faith and their understanding of its traditions. As you learn, you may even become a “parish sponsor” for those seeking to join the Church.

The initial stage of RCIA is called INQUIRY. During the inquiry sessions we will answer questions and present some basic elements of Catholicism to participants.

The inquiry group includes: those who have never been baptized, those baptized in another Christian religion but now seek to profess their faith in the Catholic Church, and Catholic adults who have not received Confirmation and/or Eucharist.

Former RCIA Participants have said:

  • RCIA is such a special experience each week, I felt so welcomed, and received warmth and kindness from everyone present.
  • I looked forward to RCIA every Sunday. It was a very rewarding and enriching experience for me.
  • I joined RCIA in order to have a better understanding of my husband’s faith. Through the course of the year, I found that every week I was attending less for someone else and more for me. The knowledge and support I gained was exceptional and the Easter Vigil was the culmination of a fabulous year of growth for me.
  • I wished that I had done this years ago.

Who might be interested?

  • A spouse who would like to understand why Mass is important.
  • A friend or neighbor who asks questions about why Catholics do the things they do.
  • Someone who never had any religious education.
  • Someone who has been away from the Church for a while and would like to take another look.

If you know someone who may have similar feelings, please invite that person to consider RCIA. In order to know more about the process, please call the parish office at 708-349-0903.