Becoming Catholic

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Becoming Catholic

Your journey to the Catholic Church through RCIA
- Welcome!
  
  Becoming Catholic is a process of prayer, reflection, and learning that allows for the continual discernment of God’s will in our lives. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults are welcomed into the Catholic Church.
  
  RCIA is about a relationship. Think of it as dating the Catholic Church. To give a total, free, faithful, and fruitful "yes!" to enter into a lifelong relationship with Jesus and His Catholic Church, it is important to get to know each other. What does the Catholic Church believe? How does the Catholic Church worship? How do members of the Catholic Church live? RCIA is a process of learning and pondering these aspects of the Catholic Church. The RCIA journey is divided into four periods (Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and Mystagogy) that respect the individual's journey of faith. If the individual, with the help of the RCIA team, discerns at the end of each period that he wants to move forward, he is received into the Catholic Church on the night before Easter in a liturgy of great celebration!
  
  No matter where you are on your faith journey, there is a place for you at St. Vincent de Paul!
  For more information about becoming Catholic, see the RCIA schedule and FAQ section below. Contact Emily Wilson at emily@saintvincents.org or fill out the "Let Us Buy You Coffee" form for next steps!
- 2022-2023 RCIA Schedule
  
  Weekly Class Schedule (PDF)
- Let us buy you coffee!
  
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frequently asked questions
- What is the RCIA?
  The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults are welcomed into the Catholic Church.
  
  RCIA is about a relationship. Think of it as dating the Catholic Church. To give a total, free, faithful, and fruitful "yes!" to enter into a lifelong relationship with Jesus and His Catholic Church, it is important to get to know each other. What does the Catholic Church believe? How does the Catholic Church worship? How do members of the Catholic Church live? RCIA is a process of learning and pondering these aspects of the Catholic Church. The RCIA journey is divided into four periods (Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and Mystagogy) that respect the individual's journey of faith. If the individual discerns at the end of each period that he wants to move forward, he is received into the Catholic Church on the night before Easter in a liturgy of great celebration!
- Who can join RCIA?
  Anyone! At St. Vincent de Paul, we invite four different groups of people to attend RCIA classes.
  
  Catechumens: people who have never been baptized
  
  Christians who were baptized into another demonimation
  
  Catholics who were baptized Catholic but are in need of First Communion and/or Confirmation
  
  Catholics who have already received Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion but are interested in learning more about their faith
- What is the time commitment?
  Short answer: typically an 8-month journey of evening class on Mondays 6:30-8 pm, Sunday Mass, and two retreats!
  
  Longer answer: It depends! If you are new to the Christian faith, this 8-month journey will lead you through everything you need to know to fall in love with Jesus Christ and give a full "yes!" to Him in the Catholic Church. If you are a devout Christian who has developed a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, you may only need a few months of instruction on Catholic doctrine to be ready to say a full "yes!" to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. Our RCIA coordinator will be happy to sit down over a cup of coffee and discern alongside you what is the best path for you.
  
  If you have concerns about the time commitment, please reach out to our RCIA coordinator Emily Wilson at emily@saintvincents.org. We can work with you to make a plan that accommodates your schedule.
- What can I expect and what is expected of me?
  All that is needed is a sincere desire to grow in relationship with Jesus and learn more about him and his Church. Becoming Catholic is not about perfection. No tests, no perfection (or else our RCIA team wouldn't be allowed to come either-- we're not perfect!)
  
  Attendance is expected at weekly meetings at 6:30 pm Monday evenings and at the 9:30 am Mass on Sundays. Each member of RCIA is encouraged to spend some time each week in prayer and to prepare for the follwing week. There is no homework but recommended readings and videos will be given every week for deeper reflection. As with anything in life, your experience will be a direct result of how much you invest your heart and time into it. Ask questions, share observations, and get ready for a wonderful journey!
- What is the cost to participate in RCIA?
  No cost. Just bring an open heart, ready to receive God's love for you!
- I'm not 100% sure I want to become Catholic. Am I obliged to become Catholic if I start coming to classes?
  No, you are not obliged to enter the Catholic Church if you attend RCIA classes. Anyone seeking information about the Catholic faith is welcome to visit. At each stage of the RCIA journey, you will sit down with a member of our RCIA team to discern where God is leading and if you are ready to take the next step towards becoming Catholic.