The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by
which interested persons gradually become members of the Catholic Church.
Ordinarily, meeting with the Pastor or a Minister of the Catechumenate is the
first step in the journey toward becoming a Catholic. Anyone who is
seriously thinking about becoming a member of the Catholic faith or would simply
like more information please contact:
Director of Religious Education
Joseph F. "Joe" Maire
281-479-8832, Extension 19
Registration Form
Click here to print an
RCIA Registration
Form for 2008-09. (Click the back button on your browser to return to
this page.)
INSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION
The Catholic Church Invites You to Come and
See!
- Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church?
- Are you unbaptized but recognize a need for spirituality in your life?
- Are you baptized Catholic or baptized into another religion but have never received
any formal religious education?
- Are you married to a Catholic and attend Mass but just don't know what the next
step is to become one of the Catholic faithful?
- Are you yearning for something more in your life? Maybe you have been looking for a spiritual homecoming in your life and have
never found it.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the place for you. Every
year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a
learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus
Christ who is our Lord and Savior. "Come to me, all you who are weary and find
life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest,
for my yoke is easy and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-30. The doors are open!
We invite you to join us!
How Does Christian Initiation Take
Place?
Each parish is responsible for the formation of prospective members. This
formation is guided by the needs of those who seek membership, the resources in
the local community, and the norms of the Catholic Church. All parishes of a
diocese are united through the ministry of the bishop who, as chief pastor, is
responsible for the initiation of new Catholic Christians. The bishop's role is
clearly seen when he meets the catechumens for the rite of election (at the
beginning of Lent). The liturgy, ordinarily celebrated in the cathedral Church,
beautifully demonstrates the diversity and unity of the Church into which new
members are initiated. This and other liturgies lead to the goal of Christian
initiation: ongoing participation in the full Eucharistic life and mission of
the Church.
How Long Does It Take?
Christian initiation is not a program. It is the Church's way of ministering
sensitively to those who seek membership. For that reason, some people will need
more time than others to prepare for the lifetime commitment that comes with
membership in the Catholic Church. The usual length of preparation is from one
to two years.
For those already baptized and who seek full communion in the
Catholic Church, the time may also vary. It seems reasonable that catechumens or
candidates experience the yearly calendar of Catholic practices at least one
time around before they are initiated. The process of spiritual renewal and
catechesis should not be hasty, especially for those not accustomed to the
feasts and seasons, rites and fasts the way Catholics observe them.
One of the better times for the sacraments of initiation is the Easter Vigil. It
can also be a good time to celebrate the rite of reception into full communion
with the Roman Catholic Church. The celebration of the Easter Vigil dramatically
points to the wellspring of the Church's life: the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
Journey of Faith
The R.C.I.A. is primarily a journey of faith: "From the awareness of stirring of
faith and curiosity within one's heart:
- through all those stages of asking and seeking,
- through beginning involvement with Christian/Catholic people,
- through hearing the Gospel proclaimed and by faithful reflection and prayer on
this Word of God,
- through study and discussion about the Catholic experience,
- through doubts and hesitations,
- through involvement in the works of charity and justice with those already
committed to the catholic way of life,
- through discernment of God's call for them as individuals,
- through the steps of commitment,
- through the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist)
- to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in communion with Catholics
throughout the world.
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