RCIA for Children and Teens

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (children and teens)

All are Welcome!

RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

RCIA is a Journey

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

Pre-Catechumenate

This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.

Rite of Initiation

The first Rite in the RCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.

Catechumenate

The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.

Rite of Election

Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.

Sacraments of Initiation

At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the RCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Mystagogy

This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.

RCIA Team

People journeying through the RCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The RCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

The mission of the Immaculate Conception Parish Religious Education Program is “to go and make disciples of all nations, using the faith tools of prayer, study, generosity and evangelization.” The RCIA portion of the Religious Education program aims to help every member of the family thrive in these four areas of faith. 

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The following provides an overview of the Program. Please review carefully and complete the registration form(s) to enroll, your child(ren)/teen for the upcoming school year. 

Our program consists of:

• Weekly catechesis
• Weekly Mass attendance 

The obligation to attend weekly Mass exists for all of us.

The celebration of the Eucharist is the foundation of all faith. Immaculate Conception’s religious education program consists of families attending Mass together every weekend, to hear the word of God, to lift prayers to our Heavenly Father, and to receive our Lord's Body in Holy Communion.

Families may continue to attend their Mass of preference; IC Mass times are Saturday at 4:00pm, Sunday at 7:30am, 11:00am and 5:00pm. Confessions are held on Saturday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Lower Church (St. Mary's Chapel). 

​RCIA classes for children and teens will be held on Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the IC Parish Building on 119 Washington Street. 

Classes begin on Monday, September 19, 2022. A calendar will be available in September.

​To access the registration form click here.

Revised, April 23, 2022