The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Ministry, or RCIA, welcomes and prepares adults for full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. Some people become a Catholic gradually. They were baptized as infants, grew up in Catholic homes, received a religious education, and gradually shared in the sacraments of the Church. Other Catholics came to the Church as adults, sometimes already baptized, sometimes having received a religious formation in another faith.

The Church wants to welcome all adults who are interested in the Catholic faith. For those who think they might wish to become Catholic, the Church's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) provides for the whole process of preparing adults for initiation into the Catholic Church. It is often referred to as the "catechumenate".

 

The Period of Inquiry (Pre Catechumenate)

In the stage of evangelization and inquiry there is no fixed duration or structure. This is a time when the contents of faith and the tradition of the Church are presented and questions are answered. It is a time for an introduction to gospel values and an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.

The period of Inquiry is a time for:

• asking questions about the Catholic faith
• building community within the group
• developing a trusting athmosphere.

More importantly, it is a time for:

• examining God's presence in our lives, past and present
• learning about prayer
• fostering conversion
• developing or improving our relationship with God
• getting to know his church.

We read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives.

We also discuss topics such as:

• What brought you to RCIA
• What is your image of God
• Prayer and liturgy
• Who is Jesus
• Who is the Holy Spirit
• Who is the Trinity
• The Saints

The Catechumenate (Study) Period

Through this time the individual, now welcomed into the faith begins the process of conversion - learning more about Catholic belief and his or her responsibility to God’s call.

The period of study (Catechumenate) is a time for:

• "Breaking Open the Word", or reading and discussing the Sunday Gospel
• Continuing to build community within the group
• Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community
• Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church.

More importantly, it is a time for:

• Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present
• Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish
• Fostering conversion
• Developing or improving our relationship with God

We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also discuss topics such as:

• Seasons of the Church
• Who is Jesus
• The 10 Commandments
• Bible
• The Incarnation
• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Mary and the Rosary
• Sin, evil, guilt
• Morality

Period of Purification and Enlightenment

This time immediately precedes the Elect’s initiation. It is a time of reflection – intensely centered on conversion and on preparation for the rites on Holy Saturday.

The period of purification and enlightenment is a time for:

• repentance
• examining areas of sinfulness or weakness in our lives
• asking God's help in healing these areas
• prayer, fasting and almsgiving
• preparation for receiving the sacraments of initiation

We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also learn about:

• The 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church
• Initiation Healing Vocation
• Baptism Reconciliation Matrimony
• Confirmation Anointing of the Sick Holy Orders
• Eucharist

The Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis and Mystagogy

Now, through the Easter Season and beyond the newly initiated experience being full members of the Christian community by means of mystagogy, participation in parish ministry and sharing the Sunday Eucharistic celebrations.

The period of mystagogia is a time for:

• living a sacramental life
• living out the gospel way of life
• becoming more involved in the parish

We also discuss:

• Evangelization
• Stewardship
• Lay Ministry

We read the Sunday Gospel for the 8 weeks of the Easter season, including Pentecost, and discuss what it means to us in our lives.