Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Becoming Catholic - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Adult Confirmation

It is always a joyous occasion when a person has chosen to learn more about becoming a fully initiated Catholic. For more information or to register for the Inquiry sessions, please contact:

 Deacon Dan Gilbert, (308) 632-2541 

Fr. Mike Wetovick, (308) 623-1745.

The RCIA is the process by which non-Catholics become Catholic. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes potential new members and provides a hospitable environment for anyone to learn about the Catholic Faith. This process is also open to those who have been baptized and are in need of preparation to received the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or First Eucharist.

Links and Resources...

Catholic Answers 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church   

EWTN - Teaching of the Catholic Church

THE PROCESS
1. Inquiry.
Before formally entering the process to become Catholic, a period of inquiry is offered for all those who are 'checking out' Jesus, the Catholic Church and impact following Jesus has for one's life in today's world. There is no formal commitment made to be part of the Inquiry process.

2. Teaching the Catholic Faith.
Following Inquiry are the formal instruction known as 'catechesis', the handing down of Christ's teachings in their entirety. This part of the process walks the participant through the key events of Scripture and shows how the teachings of the Church flow from the events of the Bible. Following the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we examine the main teachings of the Church and show how they impact our daily lives. Each participant has a sponsor to walk him/her through the entire process.

3. Prayer.
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, participants become 'elect', that is, declared by the bishop to be ready to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist this coming Easter Vigil. The six weeks of Lent preceding Easter are a time of prayer, fasting, and turning away from sin.

4. The Easter Vigil.
A highlighted moment in the Liturgical Year of Masses is the Easter Vigil, the Mass on the Saturday night before Easter Sunday. At the Mass, participants in the RCIA process receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

5. Post-Easter sessions.
The period of teaching after Easter is known as 'Mystagogia', which means to reflect on the 'mysteries' (also known as the Sacraments). It is a time to look at the special gifts God has given us in Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist and see how they impact our lives.

Testimonies
In a day and age that looks down on religion, we often wonder why a person would become Catholic. Here are the testimonies of a few of those who were received into the Church recently:

"R.C.I.A. is a chance to learn about the Catholic Church and to get some real answers to my longstanding questions..It meant learning about the fullness of faith and the sacraments."

"R.C.I.A. teaches us that learning to be Catholic is working on my faith everyday and that I have arrived 'home' to where I am being called...It is a journey that has taken me a long time to get here...but well worth the journey."

"The R.C.I.A. team are truly dedicated to making this a rich experience that can change a life...it did mine!"