The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which the Catholic faith community welcomes those who wish to become full members of the Catholic Church. It is designed primarily for those who have never been baptized. It functions in a secondary capacity for:
those who were baptized in another Christian tradition
baptized Catholics who did not receive Eucharist and/or Confirmation
The RCIA process facilitates a person’s journey with God and spiritual formation in the context of a welcoming faith community as he or she learns more about Scripture, Catholic beliefs and traditions, Catholic worship, and him/herself. The goal of the RCIA is to establish a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Catholics typically do this through regular reception of the sacraments, conforming their lives to the Gospel, and experiencing the bonds of community with fellow believers.
The RCIA experience can vary from one person to another in terms of the length of time it takes to complete the process. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to the RCIA because it is about the spiritual formation of the individual, and since people come to the program with different backgrounds, needs, expectations, stories, and levels of religious instruction, and because the program can accommodate both the unbaptized (participants are called catechumens) and the baptized (participants are called candidates), there is a necessary element of flexibility and adaptation.
It is highly recommended that you contact us to discuss your particular situation and what the RCIA process would involve for you based on your circumstances. In general terms we can at least say that the program involves...
...weekly or nearly weekly meetings that are usually held on Monday nights from 7:00-8:15pm, and from late September until April or early May
...some rites that are celebrated in the context of Mass and the faith community;
...your decision to make a commitment to the process of faith formation;
For the 2019-2020 school year, our RCIA meetings take place on Monday nights from 7:00-8:15pm in the living room of St. Joseph Hall (the building located directly across the entrance driveway from the church) starting on September 16.
If you are drawn to the Catholic faith, or if you would simply like to learn more about the RCIA program, please contact our Pastoral Associate, Joel S. Peters, by phone at 201-337-7596, ext. 315, or by e-mail here.