BECOMING CATHOLIC
RCIA & RCIC
have not been baptized
or have been baptized in another Christian tradition
RCIA and RCIC are for those who have not been baptized. If you are an adult Catholic who has been baptized and would like to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and/or First Eucharist, please click here for information on our adult sacrament preparation.
See below for more detailed information on this process and how to sign up!
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
RCIA is the process through which individuals become Catholic. It includes a thorough education on the teachings of the Church, involves an integration into the community of faith, and culminates with the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It constitutes the beginning steps of a lifelong relationship with the Church.
Every year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, Nativity—along with the universal Church—welcomes new Catholics through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. Individuals seeking to become Catholic prepare for this night by participating in our RCIA program.
On Easter Sunday, those members of our community who are already baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but who have not yet become Catholic are “fully initiated” into the Church through Confirmation and First Eucharist. These individuals also take part in our RCIA program in preparation for their full initiation.
If you are not Catholic, but would like to learn more about what it means to be Catholic, or if you are Catholic and would simply like to learn more about your faith, we invite you to participate in our RCIA program here at Nativity:
Our RCIA program is a great way to explore the faith and begin the lifelong journey of life in the Church. This process strongly emphasizes the importance of community because it is through the Church that we receive the sacraments. However, we recognize that each individual has their own personal questions, challenges and growth. To assist you in this journey, we match you with a mentor who can accompany you individually in addition to the classes.
The RCIA process includes weekly classes that typically take place on Sundays from September to May, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. During these classes, RCIA members learn about the Church, its teachings, and the application of the faith to our lives. They also engage in fellowship with one another and experience integration into the larger community.
During the classes, RCIA members are expected to complete a certain amount of reading and outside preparation, and they are taken through the process of selecting a sponsor.
RCIA members will be given a mentor to walk with them through the sacrament preparation process. Mentors, selected and assigned by the RCIA director, have gone through the process themselves and serve as personal guides along the RCIA journey. Mentors may be chosen by the candidate to also be their sponsor.
Those in RCIA select a sponsor to walk with them through the process of becoming Catholic and support them after they are received into the Church. Unbaptized adults going through RCIA choose one sponsor—also known as a Godparent—who accompanies them through the rites leading up to and including Baptism and Confirmation. Sponsors must be practicing Catholics, married in the Catholic Church, and fully initiated by having received the sacraments of Baptism, Communion & Confirmation.
An individual seeking to become Catholic is required to have a conversation with a priest or deacon regarding his or her desire to enter the Church. This will typically take place as soon as you register.
The steps of RCIA include a number of liturgical moments, during which those seeking to become Catholic are presented to the community, accepted as “catechumens,” and called to “election.” For detailed information on these steps, click here.
The sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Our RCIA program prepares individuals for the reception of these sacraments as well as the sacrament of Penance. Those already Baptized as Christians can still participate in RCIA in order to become “fully initiated” into the faith through receiving Confirmation and First Eucharist.
If you have questions about becoming Catholic or are interested in learning more, contact:
Beverly Ketchel
b.ketchel@nool.us
303-731-0425
RCIC
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children
Like the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, RCIC is the preparation process for being fully received into the Church during Easter. RCIC, however, is for children ages 7–16.
Children seeking RCIC (the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist) must have one of the following before registering for RCIC:
One year of Religious Education (Catholic school, R.E., or Catholic home school)
One year attending Middle School Venturers of the Star or high school youth group
As mandated by Archbishop Aquila, parents are to be actively involved in their children’s sacrament process. This means they are expected to attend classes, assist with homework, and accompany their children through the many aspects involved in preparing for the sacraments. In addition to the four classes (see below), parents will be asked to attend one baptism class at Nativity.
During this year of preparation for the sacraments, the child will continue to attend (in-person) weekly Religious Education classes. This on-going faith formation will support the child thru the community of his/her peers and the priests and sisters. Additional support will be given thru their small group designed just for students preparing for sacraments.
Candidates and their parents are expected to attend four preparation classes, which are held on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm. The class dates will be listed on the registration form.
In addition to activities like going to the Cathedral for Mass and partaking in a family holy hour, candidates are required to complete any homework distributed after they are registered. Parents and students are to work together on all homework assignments.
Candidates choose a Godparent to accompany them during the RCIC process and beyond. The Godparent cannot be the candidate’s parent and should be a faithful Catholic who is committed to helping the candidate lead a Christian life. Godparents must complete a Godparent Eligibility Form.
RCIC students will be given a mentor to walk with them through the sacrament preparation process. Mentors, selected and assigned by the RCIA director, have gone through the process themselves and serve as personal guides along the RCIC journey. Candidates may choose to have their mentor to be their Godparent.
The steps of RCIC include a number of liturgical moments, during which those seeking to become Catholic are presented to the community, accepted as “catechumens,” and called to “election.” For detailed information on these steps, click here.
The sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Our RCIC program prepares individuals for the reception of these sacraments as well as the sacrament of Penance. RCIC candidates will enter the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter Vigil Mass.
With questions, contact:
Beverly Ketchel
b.ketchel@nool.us
303-731-0425
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