RCIA

This category of persons includes those who are entering the Christian life for the first time. Whether coming from a background of Atheism or a Non-Christian faith, we are glad to welcome these individuals into the Catholic Church. 

The process for these individuals begins with a time of Inquiry, officially called the "Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate". This is the time when such individuals might realize that there is an attractiveness to the Christian faith and the way true Christians live their lives. This curiousity might bring them to a place where they can confidently say "I want to know more about Christianity and Catholicism." 

As these individuals progress through the phases of RCIA, they will become Catechumens, or those who are preparing to receive all Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

If you fall into this category, and are unsure about which steps to take first, feel free to fill out the interest form below!

 

This category of persons includes those who were baptized into the Catholic Church, oftentimes as an infant, but who, for some reason, are not practicing Catholics or have not received First Communion or Confirmation. As such individuals are baptized in the Catholic faith, they are already Catholic indeed, and should be welcomed back to the fold of the faithful with joy!

These individuals begin their journey through RCIA as Candidates, meaning that they are "candidates for full communion with the Church". They have become Children of God by rights of their Baptism, and now they seek to be fully united with the Church by completing their Sacraments of Initiation through First Communion and Confirmation.

If you fall into this category, and are unsure about which steps to take first, feel free to fill out the interest form below!

This category of persons includes those who were baptized into the Christian faith by way of a Protestant Ecclesial Community. We share a common brotherhood with such individuals, and rejoice at their desire to come into the Catholic Church, wherein resides the fullness of the Christian faith by way of the Sacraments and the Scriptural, Traditional, and Authoritative roots of Catholicism.

These individuals begin their journey through RCIA as Candidates, meaning that they are "candidates for full communion with the Church". They have become Children of God by rights of their Baptism, and now they seek to be fully united with the Church by completing their Sacraments of Initiation through First Communion and Confirmation. During this time such individuals will also declare their intent during the process of RCIA to commit themselves to the fullness of the faith expressed particularly in the Catholic Church. They will not receive baptism a second time, as their initial baptism (provided it was performed using the Trinitarian Formula*) was valid. They will continue forward to receive First Communion and Confirmation.

If you fall into this category, and are unsure about which steps to take first, feel free to fill out the interest form below!

*The Trinitarian Formula: "[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Water must also have been used for a valid baptism.

This category of persons includes those who were baptized into the Catholic Church and perhaps received some catechism growing up, but who never received their final Sacrament of Initiation: Confirmation. These are also usually individuals who have already received their First Communion.

Such individuals may have a shorter period of catechesis, depending on the direction of the pastor and the level of catechesis the person already has. They begin their journey through RCIA as a Candidate, and seek to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church by way of Confirmation. 

If you fall into this category, and are unsure about which steps to take first, feel free to fill out the interest form below!

Being a Sponsor or Godparent to someone in RCIA is a beautiful ministry. Many Catechumens/Candidates choose family or close friends to become their Sponsors or Godparents. The necessary guidelines of being a sponsor, set forth by the Catholic Church, are as follows:

1. Sponsors must have completed all three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. Only someone who knows the road ahead can guide you down it well. Sponsors are called to show Christ to their Catechumens/Candidates through their full initiation into the Church. 
2. Sponsors must be 16 years of age or older. Exceptions can be made, but since most teens are not confirmed until they are at least 16, they can't always fulfill this duty. Additionally, being 16 years old often allows for the sponsor to be independent enough to arrange their own transportation when necessary.
3. Sponsors must be living a moral life in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church. A sponsor must be a champion of Christ and of his Church, and must be doing his or her best to live in accord with all the teachings that are inherent to our faith. Sponsors should not be aware of anything which has separated them from the Church and should not be living in a way which contrary to the moral teachings of the Church.
4. Sponsors must not be the parent of their catechumen/candidate. This guideline is based off of the guidelines for Baptism, which assumes that the parent is already involved in the faith life of their children, leaving a place open for another person to step in to assist.