Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults If you are interested in becoming Catholic, or completing your Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist or you have been away from the church and are interested in coming back, RCIA might be your answer. Contact Elizabeth in the Parish Office, extension 25 for more information and to register for the classes. The RCIA process began its Inquiry period on Monday, August 22 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall.

The classes are on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall. If your child is 7 years or older and has not been Baptized, contact Cheryl Brooten, ext. 24 for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children process.

Becoming Catholic

Rite of Christian Initiation. A Rite is a liturgical celebration. The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA program includes a total formation that respects each individual’s experience of conversion. It offers a gentle process that includes sharing faith together, as well as experiencing faith in the larger church community and Archdiocese. This gradual formation also honors those who have been baptized and now want to complete their sacramental journey.

We welcome new participants in the Fall each year. Our team will meet with you, answer your questions and introduce some basics of Catholicism. After a short while, those who are interested in continuing on the journey toward initiation into the Catholic Church are connected with a Sponsor, and they are ritually welcomed to our Community at the Rite of Acceptance. This Rite is the official welcome and beginning of the RCIA preparation process.

Members of the St. Francis of Assisi community, already being fully initiated Catholics, are called by virtue of their Baptism to welcome and accompany each of the new catechumens and candidates in their preparation process by becoming a sponsor or through prayer and example.

If you would like to act as a sponsor in the RCIA process, or if you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, please contact the Parish Office at (206) 242-4575, ext. 25.

Terms and Definitions

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a sacramental formation process that prepares non-Catholic adults who wish to become Catholic.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) supports youth who are in 4th through 12th grades and are seeking entry into the Catholic faith and/or youth who have been baptized as infants in another Christian faith and want to celebrate the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.

Catechumens are those who have never been baptized. During their time of preparation, Catechumens are encouraged to explore the Catholic faith (personal reading), experience liturgy (by coming to Mass every Sunday) and develop a sound personal prayer life. The Catechumen's preparation involves participation in weekly Sunday Dismissal, where they break open the Scriptures with a Dismissal Leader. They attend Catechesis (classes), and they are encouraged to experience the many aspects of life in the Church by participating in Social Ministries, by attending Adult Education opportunities, and participating in a variety of community prayer experiences and special events. Catechumens are fully initiated by Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, at the Easter Vigil.

Candidates for Full Communion are those who have already been baptized in other Christian traditions. Their process of preparation parallels the Catechumens. At the Rite of Full Communion they make a profession of faith, they are Confirmed, and they receive Eucharist for the first time as a Catholic at the Easter Vigil.

Confirmation Candidates.  If you were baptized in the Catholic Church, you are already a Catholic, even if you have not completed the other Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation). We are happy to have you join us in the RCIA Community as a Confirmation Candidate. Confirmation and First Eucharist will be at the Easter Vigil.

Still Need More Information?
Please contact Elizabeth Hanks at the Parish Office at (206) 242-4575.