Is
God calling you?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
(RCIA)
What Is It?
The RCIA is the process by which men and women become members of the
Catholic Church. Because the process is ongoing, people begin
whenever the Spirit moves them to inquire. There is no formal
“start” to the process.
The RCIA takes place within the context of the parish community, and
after a suitable period of formation, culminates in the reception of
the Sacraments of Initiation.
Formation includes several areas:
Scripture: the stories of God’s people
Teaching: what Catholics believe
Prayer: how we communicate with God
Liturgy: how the community worships
Mission: how we live out what we believe
Who Belongs in the RCIA?
The process of Christian initiation is for adults who…
...want to learn more about the Catholic Church.
...are unbaptized and want to become Catholic Christians through the
sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
...are baptized Christian (in another faith tradition or Catholic)
who want full sacramental membership in the Roman Catholic Church
through Confirmation and Eucharist.
...attend Catholic Church because of a loved one or a spouse and are
not sure if the Catholic Church is for them – but are willing to ask
questions.
How Does It Work?
God calls, and we respond. With the process of Christian Initiation,
women and men at all stages of their faith journey come together in
a non-threatening and non-pressured atmosphere to learn more about
the Catholic Church.
The RCIA provides a forum for shared spiritual growth, and a means
to explore the Catholic Christian tradition through scripture,
sacraments, church teaching, and social outreach, all in the midst
of the Catholic faith community.
How Do I Learn More?
For St. Augustine and St. Edward parishes call either Fr. Joe
Fogal, pastor (437-4537) or
Alice Duffy-Meyer,
St. A's/St. Ed's RCIA coordinator (437-3250).
For Queen of Angels parish
call either Fr. Dale Tupper,
pastor or Mary Bassett, Queen's RCIA
coordinator (433-1888).
Some terms of the RCIA:
Catechumen: an unbaptized person who seeks entrance into the
Church
Candidate: a person baptized in another Christian faith
tradition who seeks membership in the Catholic Church
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and
Eucharist |
