Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) classes will begin in September 2014 and are held every Thursday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 PM through Easter of 2015.  

R.C.I.A. is open to any: 

• Un-Baptized adults wishing to become Catholic.
• Persons Baptized in other Christian Churches.
• Baptized Catholics who never received Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation and seek full membership in the community.

For registration or more information, please call the Religious Education office at 361-5816.

Please refer to the Parish Handbook for more information, including details about:

• Religious Education
  • RCIA
  • Adult Education
  • Sacramental Preparation for Children
  • Catechists         

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

The R.C.I.A. is not just a "convert class" with a new name. It looks different, too.

Special rites are celebrated during the weekend liturgies at various times throughout the

year. 

The R.C.I.A. involves the whole parish: in prayer as the rites are celebrated; in hospitality as new members are welcomed; and in specific ministries, such as, being a sponsor or team member.

The most important thing to keep in mind about the R.C.I.A. is this: it is not merely

a new way to prepare adults for baptism. Baptism is only one step. The '"goal" of the

R.C.I.A. is full communion; which means full, conscious, and active participation in the

Eucharist and in the whole life of the Catholic faith community.

Classes are held one evening per week, for 1 ½ hours, starting in the Fall and

ending at the Easter Vigil.

We were very happy to accept our newest candidate into the Catechumenate phase of the RCIA program at the 9:00 Mass on Sunday, November 30, 2014.

With this simple ceremony, the “Pre-Catechumenate Phase" (because it is before the period of formal training during the RCIA process) ends. The transition from the first phase to the second phase is called the "Rite of Acceptance or Welcome into the Catechumenate. This involves a celebration that marks the intention of the inquirers to continue their journey towards full membership in the Catholic Faith through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Communion. This second phase of the RCIA process is called the "Catechumenate." This phase involves the period of formal training in the Catholic way of life. It is the phase during which the "catechumens" (those never baptized) and the "candidates" (those baptized in another denomination) study the Catholic Faith. During this phase, studies are focused on the Lord Jesus, His teachings, the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Sacraments. These studies normally touch on the subjects of the writings of the early Church Fathers, Catholic dogmas, the infallibility of the Pope, the Virgin Mary, Purgatory, etc......At this stage, the catechumens and candidates are assigned a sponsor, a member of the RCIA Committee, who will walk the faith journey with them on a one-to-one basis.

Congratulations to: 

• Joseph Michael Anginoli, Jr.