Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA
Are you interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith?
Do you know someone who may want to become Catholic?
What is the RCIA Process?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which a person becomes a Catholic. It includes inquiry, celebration, catechetical sessions, discernment, prayer, commitment and finally, the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Becoming a Catholic is a journey. A person enters the life of the Church through periods of study, faith sharing, scripture, reflection and rites (steps along the way that are celebrated with the parish faith community).
The Sacraments of Initiation occur during the Easter Vigil or during the Easter season.
Who Might Consider the RCIA Process?
Adults who have never been baptized
Adults who have been baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to profess their faith as a Catholic Christian
Adults who were baptized Catholic as infants but who have not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
The RCIA at St. Patrick Parish
St. Patrick Parish offers an on-going process for an adult who wishes to inquire about the Catholic Faith. A person may begin the journey at any time by contacting Deacon Mark Nixon, setting up an initial meeting and attending inquiry sessions.
The Process is led by an RCIA team. These parishioners work with the RCIA coordinator in facilitating the process and providing assistance and ministry in a variety of ways.
Participants in the RCIA process will be assigned a sponsor who will "walk with" them as they continue their journey. The sponsor is someone from the parish who remains with the participant during the classes and sessions and is present at all of the rites and celebrations.
The Parish supports the participants in their process of discernment, by prayer, witness and faith in action.
Sessions are held every Sunday of the month (unless a holiday is scheduled) in the South Room of the Parish Office Building after the 9:30 am mass until noon. After the Rite of Acceptance and the Welcome are celebrated, the participants will be dismissed during the Sunday Liturgies to reflect further upon the Scriptures until they celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation.
A retreat experience will be offered for all participants.
Materials, videos and other resources will be provided for the participants throughout the process.
Opportunities for service and outreach will be offered at different times during the process.