Faith is a way of seeing.  It is a way of understanding, answering and living the fundamental questions of life.  To be Christian and Catholic is to see, celebrate and live life in a particular way.  If your heart is leading you to seek a deeper relationship with God, or if you are simply curious about what Catholics believe, then the Rite of Christian Initation of Adults is the place to start.  It is the process by which the Church community shares its faith and love of the Lord.

Why be Catholic?  Catholics are Christians who believe that Jesus Christ best reveals who God is and how to live life to the full.  We celebrate the Good News of God’s love and mercy.  Having experienced that love we seek to live our lives in a new way and share the love we have received.  Being Catholic involves much more than knowing the Bible or Church teaching, although such knowledge is important.  It is a commitment to live in relationship with Jesus Christ and a community of people who celebrate and live as Christ taught.  Through prayer and study, participation in the Liturgy and loving service of others, one grows as a Disciple of Christ in the Catholic community.

How long does it take to become Catholic?

The RCIA process lasts for a year however some may choose to take another year in their discernment process.  The final decision of readiness is ultimately made by you in discernment with your sponsor, the RCIA team, and the priests.

The general principles of any study you may learn by books at home, but the detail, the colour, the tone, the air, the life which makes it live in us, you must catch all these from those in whom it lives already.  Cardinal Newman

What is the RCIA process like?

The goal of the RCIA is to foster or deepen one’s relationship with Jesus Christ and the community of his disciples, the Church.  There are four stages of a person’s journey in the RCIA.  These stages are linked with liturgical celebrations which acknowledge the person’s continuing conversion and lead into the next period of Christian formation.   Each of these is focused toward incorporating the person into the life of the Catholic Christian Community.  The process will vary slightly for a person who has already been baptized.

1^st Stage:  The Inquiry Period

This stage is designed to be a period to ask questions, to get to know what Catholics believe and how they live out that belief in worship and in service.  The focus is on awakening your faith by sharing and discussing the journey of faith.  It is a time to learn to recognize how God is working in our lives through our daily experience.  We will do all we can to help you come to a prayerfully informed decision about joining the Catholic Church.  If you are ready to continue, you will be assigned a sponsor and celebrate your entrance into the Catechumenate at the Rite of Acceptance.

 

2nd Stage:  The Catechumenate

During this stage you will go to Sunday Mass to hear the Word of God proclaimed.  Then you will be dismissed as a group to explore the Sunday scriptures in light of your growing faith.  On Tuesday evenings (and a few Thursdays in the month of February), we will meet together to pray, study Catholic Tradition and doctrine, and share the life of faith.  Those who are ready to be fully initiated at Easter will be presented to the Archbishop at the Rite of Election.

3^rd Stage:  Purification & Enlightenment

This is a stage which coincides with Lent, a season of penance and conversion leading to the celebration of the solemn annual celebration of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection at Easter.  The Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, works of charity and personal sacrifice will prepare you to be baptized, confirmed and receive communion at the Easter Vigil.  Throughout this time we will meet both following the liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass and on Wednesday evenings to pray and reflect on the Lord’s work inour lives.

4^th Stage:  Mystagogy  Mystagogy is a time to “reflect on the mysteries, the marvelous things which happen through the sacraments.  During this time you will be fully incorporated into the life of the church and live the mission which has been entrusted to you.  This period never really ends but our session will conclude with Pentecost.

Some frequently asked Questions:

What about my children, can they become Catholic too?   We have a companion process for children 7 years and older which is similar to the adult process, but directed to their age level.  If they are younger, they may be baptized (if they are not) and join in the regular religious education process.

What if I have received my baptism in another Christian church, is the RCIA process the same for me?   You would not be re-baptized as Catholic, rather you would make a profession of faith.  Each person’s faith journey is valued and your particular journey may be difference from the usual process.  That is the reason for the personal interview to discern your experience and understanding of the Catholic faith and determine the right path for you.

What if I have been married & divorced before, can I still become a Catholic?  If either your spouse or you have been previously married there is a procedure that must be completed before receiving the sacraments.  It is important that you realize that this can take a considerable amount of time, but this does not prevent you from being in the RCIA process.  This will be explained in the interview.