Becoming Catholic (RCIA)

Luke Gregory, Director of Lifelong Faith Formation

Phone: 641-792-2050 Ext. #224

E-mail: shlifelongff@gmail.com

Initiation of Baptized Adults

Weekly sessions are held for baptized Christians who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith or wish to become Catholic.  Participants attend these sessions with a sponsor and progress at their own pace.  Once the candidate has completed the sessions and the parish team and sponsor discern his/her readiness to become a member of the Catholic Church, he/she is received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Initiation of Baptized Children

Baptized children, ages 7 to 17, wishing to become Catholics are enrolled in regular Faith Formation classes with their peers. In addition they attend special sessions with their parents/guardians and parish sponsors in preparation for their celebration of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Communion.

Initiation of Unbaptized Adults

Becoming a Catholic Christian is a faith conversion process that takes place in the context of our faith community. Unbaptized adults wishing to become Catholic begin their journey with a time of inquiry. During the catechumenate phase of their preparation, participants are dismissed from Mass after the homily to meditate on the Scripture readings with a catechist. Sponsors join the group for the catechetical sessions, which focus on teachings in the Catholic Church. During Lent the participants begin a more intense spiritual preparation for their upcoming celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. These initiation sacraments are most generally celebrated at the Easter Vigil (Saturday night before Easter) Sessions continue after initiation as the new Catholics share their experience of being part of the Christian community through the sacraments, service, prayer and proclamation of the Gospel in their daily lives.

Initiation of Unbaptized Children

Unbaptized children, ages 7 to 17, wishing to become Catholic are enrolled in regular Faith Formation classes with their peers. Every week throughout the process the participants are dismissed from Sunday Mass after the Homily to mediate on the Scripture readings with a catechist. In addition they attend sessions with their parents/guardians and parish sponsors in preparation for their celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion. These initiation sacraments are usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil (Saturday before Easter).