Many people who express their interest in the Catholic Faith to a Catholic family member, friend or acquaintance are told to “ask a parish about signing up for RCIA”.  The “RCIA” – or “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” (or for older children, age 7yrs+, “RCIC”), is the process by which unbaptized persons, over the age of reason, are prepared to be received into the Catholic Church.  The RCIA has existed in some form since the very beginnings of the Church nearly 2,000 years ago. 

Those enrolled in RCIA are call “catechumens”, and have made the conscious decision to become Catholic.  For catechumens the RCIA is a prayerful journey, where their understanding of the Faith is deepened and reinforced, where any gaps in their knowledge are filled, and where they are supported and strengthened through the formal prayer of the Church (the “Liturgy”). The goal for each catechumen is to be able to confidently profess the Creed and receive the 3 sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation & Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil Mass, which makes them full members of the Catholic Church.  The heart of the Creed is contained in the statement, “I believe and profess all that the holy, Catholic Church believes, teaches and proclaims to be revealed by God.” 

Note: If you are a baptized Christian, scroll down to the section “What about Protestant Christians?”  If you are an unbaptized adult, click the RCIA link below, and if you are signing up a child aged 7-14 who is not baptized, click the RCIC link below.  Our parish RCIA program is composed primarily of in-person sessions and the schedule typically begins in late September or early October of each year.  Upon completion of the registration form a parish representative will reach out to you with schedule information and can answer any questions you might have about the program.

RCIA is not always the proper fit for anyone and everyone who may have questions about the Catholic Faith, as many of them have not yet made a decision to become Catholic, and as such, are not ready to prepare to receive the sacraments at Easter and participate in the liturgical components of the RCIA.  In these circumstances there are important questions which require answers, teachings and beliefs which need to be discussed, and movements of the heart and mind which require prayerful discernment.

Fortunately, it is not a “Become Catholic now or nothing!” kind of a situation.  This particular group of authentic truth seekers are welcomed by the Catholic Church as “Inquirers.” Inquirers are those who have not yet made the decision to become Catholic but are interested in learning about the beliefs and teachings of the Church.  Inquiry is an open-ended process, which does not require a decision from the participants at any point in time.  In various parishes inquirers are frequently invited to participate in RCIA meetings and programs, but they do not participate the liturgical steps and sacramental components of the RCIA process.  In our parish the process of Inquiry and RCIA are similarly combined.  Click the following link, fill out the sign-up form for Inquiry, and a parish representative will follow up with your regarding your interest.