Becoming Catholic means undertaking a spiritual journey. This will normally take about 12 months depending on the readiness of each individual and it's called Christian Initiation. There are ceremonies or 'Rites' at each stage to signify the steps along the way. The whole journey is called the 'Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults' or RCIA for short.
The journey is a gradual process of realising God's call and becoming aware of God's presence in your life. Initiation into the Catholic Church is done through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. If you are seeking Baptism, you begin a process called the Catechumenate, and if you are already baptised in another Christian tradition you follow a process of continuing conversion leading up to Reception, Confirmation and First Communion. The Easter Vigil is usually the time of celebration of these Sacraments of Initiation and is a time of great joy for you and your family.
Essentially you will be joining a community, and hence you will be accompanied along the way by members of that community who share with you their own Faith. These accompanying persons are called the RCIA team, and it is their role to assist you in understanding the Scriptures, the practice of worship, and the Sacraments according to the Catholic tradition.
Who is invited?
As well as yourself, you may invite friends, family members, new family members, intending marriage partners, and others, either non-baptised or baptised in other Christian churches. You may invite people just to make enquiries. Anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith are all welcome.
What is your first step?
You may wish simply to make enquiries at this stage and you are most welcome to do so by:
- email here
- check out the Becoming a Catholic pages on this website
- or contact the Parish Office and ask for the RCIA coordinator.
The parish office will then put you in touch with the RCIA team and from there you begin the journey. There is no cost attached, and you may withdraw at any point along the journey.
Becoming Catholic means undertaking a spiritual journey. This will normally take about 12 months depending on the readiness of each individual and it's called Christian Initiation. There are ceremonies or 'Rites' at each stage to signify the steps along the way. The whole journey is called the 'Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults' or RCIA for short.
The journey is a gradual process of realising God's call and becoming aware of God's presence in your life. Initiation into the Catholic Church is done through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. If you are seeking Baptism, you begin a process called the Catechumenate, and if you are already baptised in another Christian tradition you follow a process of continuing conversion leading up to Reception, Confirmation and First Communion. The Easter Vigil is usually the time of celebration of these Sacraments of Initiation and is a time of great joy for you and your family.
Essentially you will be joining a community, and hence you will be accompanied along the way by members of that community who share with you their own Faith. These accompanying persons are called the RCIA team, and it is their role to assist you in understanding the Scriptures, the practice of worship, and the Sacraments according to the Catholic tradition.
You may wish simply to make enquiries at this stage and you are most welcome to do so by email here or contact the Parish Office and ask for the RCIA coordinator. The parish office will then put you in touch with the RCIA team and from there you begin the journey. There is no cost attached, and you may withdraw at any point along the journey.
For any other information regarding becoming a Catholic please contact your local parish.