RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the process through which adults who have not been baptized or have not had a valid baptism are received into the Roman Catholic Church. RCIA is also open to adults who have been baptized but have not received the Sacraments of Eucharist (Holy Communion) or Reconciliation. For adults who seek Confirmation, a separate class is offered.
Participating in RCIA is much more than going to classes on Catholicism – it is undergoing conversion to a new way of life in Christ through a personal spiritual journey. Participants learn the Catholic Christian way of life from living in the midst of the parish community. It is a lived experience, not just the acquisition of knowledge about the Church.
RCIA is the Church’s way of helping people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. More importantly, it is the Church’s way of forming new disciples of Jesus Christ. They learn how to live as disciples and continue the mission of Jesus Christ in the world today.
RCIA is concerned with the formation of a person into a total understanding and belief in the Church community so that he or she can comfortably pray and serve with that community. It is a gradual process which culminates with the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism (for those not already baptized), Eucharist and Confirmation.
The RCIA process begins in October each year and concludes with the Easter Vigil. Catechumens seeking Baptism will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Vigil. Candidates who have received a valid Baptism will receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist at the Vigil and Confirmation at Pentecost.
Meetings: Please contact Donna Locke at the above email or telephone for information on the new sessions, or go to strosechurch.com/news for announcements.
