RCIA - Becoming Catholic

Beginning in September

We welcome anyone who is unbaptized and wishes to inquire about becoming a Catholic Christian, and anyone who is baptized and now seeks to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Upon receiving your request, the Rector will meet with you.
                
Should you decide to begin this journey in faith, you will be welcomed by our parish team which facilitates the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).The Rite of Initiation is a sacramental journey, the aim of which is a deepening relationship over time with God and with the Catholic faith community. You should anticipate a period of inquiry before formally beginning the process of preparation for the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. During this time, you will be matched with a sponsor who will help guide you along your journey

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults includes liturgical rituals which mark different stages in the process of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ and the Christian way of life.  After the inquiry period, the Rite of Acceptance will be celebrated by which you will begin the period of the catechumenate. If you are already baptized, the Rite of Welcome will be celebrated and you will become a candidate. During the period of the catechumenate and candidacy you will receive further instruction in the teachings of the Catholic Church and continue to grow in faith.   After Sunday Mass at 11 a.m., you and the other catechumens and candidates will meet with a lay catechist to further reflect on the Word of God. Additional instruction based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be provided on Wednesday evenings.  The duration of this period in the RCIA process corresponds to the progress of the individual . In general, it runs from early Fall to the Easter Vigil but this may vary depending on the individual’s readiness to receive the sacraments of initiation.
 
When you are ready for the initiation sacraments, you will celebrate the Rite of Election during the beginning of Lent, the 3 Scrutinies during the last three Sundays of Lent (prayers to strengthen your conviction to become a disciple of Christ) as immediate preparation for Christian Initiation.
 
After receiving the sacraments, you enter the period of mystagogy as a neophyte. We will assist you to live your Christian life of service through a period of unfolding the mystery of the Rising in Christian Life (Mystagogia). The formal period of mystagogy extends from Easter until Pentecost. This period gives the neophytes the time and assistance of the community to come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Paschal Mystery and the initiation sacraments they have received.

For inquiries, please contact the Rector, Fr. Kevin, or the Associate Rector, Fr. Steve, at (613) 233-1125.