Interested In Becoming Catholic?

Interested In Becoming Catholic?

The process by which adults come into the Church is called the The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, also known as RCIA. RCIA forms a community of inquirers, sponsors, and catechists who move through the education, formation and ritualization of entrance into the Catholic community. Participants gather together on a weekly basis to learn about God’s Word in the Bible, the core teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and how to build and nurture an authentic relationship with God.

The process is designed for those adults who are:

• Not Baptized. Those who have not received Christian baptism in any Christian communion.
• Baptized but uncatechized. Those who have been baptized either as Roman Catholics or as members of another Christian community but did not receive further catechetical formation or instruction. This includes Catholics who have not yet celebrated Confirmation or Eucharist.
• Seeking Full Catholic Communion. Those who are baptized, practicing Christians from other denominations who seek entry into the Catholic Church.

RCIA at Saint Christopher’s is an engaging, supportive, and fun journey which is led by an experienced team of volunteers – many of whom have converted to Catholicism themselves! Weekly classes include prayer, presentations on various topics of the faith, discussion, conversation and fellowship, and occasional viewings of Catholic films. 

The process typically begins in early Fall and typically meets weekly in the Pennell Ctr - Thurs - 6:30pm to 8pm. See the parish calendar for exact times and days.  As students progress through the program they participate in special liturgical rites through which God blesses and strengthens them. There are no prerequisites for prior knowledge of the Catholic faith and candidates can begin the process without making a final commitment.

For parents who want to bring their children into the Catholic Church, please contact the parish office for information about enrolling in youth formation classes for the Sacraments of Initiation.

To learn more about the Catholic Faith, follow this link for some resources from the Diocese of Manchester.