Interested in becoming a Catholic?
Each year thousands of adults choose to become Catholics. They come from different backgrounds for different reasons:
Some are already Christians from other traditions attracted by the teaching of the Catholic Church and by the example of individual Catholics they know.
Some are from another Faith or no Faith at all who have heard about Jesus, His claim to forgive sin and His promise of eternal life.
Some are non-Catholics who have been coming regularly to Holy Mass for years with their Catholic relatives. They wish now to become full members of the Church. Why not before?, they sometimes say that no one ever invited them to do so.
Some have had no previous contact with the Church at all but have this inner calling to discover the truth about the most important questions of life.
If any of the above situations applies to you, then the RCIA programme is for you.
RCIA : The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Most Catholics enter the Church through baptism as infants and receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation (First Communion and Confession) and Confirmation when young. However, there are many people who become Catholics, or receive the Sacraments they have previously missed, later in life. There are also some Catholics who missed out on the Sacraments as children and also those Catholics who are feeling a bit 'rusty' in their knowledge of their Faith and who would like to learn more.
The RCIA programme is mainly for those people who are not yet Catholic, but would like to find out what it's all about, and also for those 'rusty' Catholics.
The Format
People thinking about becoming Catholic can feel nervous. This is one of the most important decisions you can make, but you are not alone. Thousands of people across the country are doing the same thing. There will be others at Ss Peter & Paul in a similar situation with the same basic questions. The RCIA programme is an enjoyable, social occasion and the opportunity to make good friends.
The Timetable
We meet regularly on evenings or days agreed upon a number of months. At each session we look at an aspect of our Faith, eg the existence of God, who Jesus really is, what we do at Holy Mass, how being a Catholic affects our daily life. There is plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.
You are not rushed into making a decision. You are the person who decides at the time right for you. If you decide to proceed, you will normally be welcomed into the Church at the beautiful Easter Vigil service when we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. At that evening Vigil Service you will be baptised (if you are not a baptised Christian already) and be confirmed and make your First Holy Communion. In doing so, you become a full member of the Catholic Church and will receive a very warm welcome into the Parish of Ss Peter & Paul.
Can anyone become a Catholic?
Yes! Initially, one meets the Priest in a private appointment for him to understand who you are and for you to understand what is required of you as a candidate. All that is required is belief in God and the teachings of the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ. This should be borne out in our daily lives, eg by prayer, coming to Holy Mass every Sunday, living moral lives of truth and charity. If this isn’t entirely the case currently, then the RCIA programme is the opportunity to investigate further. All we ask is a willingness to explore in good faith and openness to the call of Jesus to become more faithfully His disciple. There are lots of misunderstandings about what the Catholic Church actually believes and why. This is your chance to find out for yourself. From the moment you begin to have an interest in enquiring about Catholicism, start attending Holy Mass without receiving Holy Communion, which will be prepared for at a later stage.
I was brought up as a Christian in another denomination. Do I have to reject my past life?
No! if it isn’t contrary to our Faith and morals. God has brought you to this point where you are considering becoming a Catholic in full communion with the church. We rejoice in the Christian goodness and truth you have experienced elsewhere.
What do I do next?
Email the parish [email protected] and you will be told details of the next RCIA session and how to make that first fantastic step.
“May they all be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… so that the world may believe,”
(John 17:21)
Some are already Christians from other traditions attracted by the teaching of the Catholic Church and by the example of individual Catholics they know.
Some are from another Faith or no Faith at all who have heard about Jesus, His claim to forgive sin and His promise of eternal life.
Some are non-Catholics who have been coming regularly to Holy Mass for years with their Catholic relatives. They wish now to become full members of the Church. Why not before?, they sometimes say that no one ever invited them to do so.
Some have had no previous contact with the Church at all but have this inner calling to discover the truth about the most important questions of life.
If any of the above situations applies to you, then the RCIA programme is for you.
RCIA : The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Most Catholics enter the Church through baptism as infants and receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation (First Communion and Confession) and Confirmation when young. However, there are many people who become Catholics, or receive the Sacraments they have previously missed, later in life. There are also some Catholics who missed out on the Sacraments as children and also those Catholics who are feeling a bit 'rusty' in their knowledge of their Faith and who would like to learn more.
The RCIA programme is mainly for those people who are not yet Catholic, but would like to find out what it's all about, and also for those 'rusty' Catholics.
The Format
People thinking about becoming Catholic can feel nervous. This is one of the most important decisions you can make, but you are not alone. Thousands of people across the country are doing the same thing. There will be others at Ss Peter & Paul in a similar situation with the same basic questions. The RCIA programme is an enjoyable, social occasion and the opportunity to make good friends.
The Timetable
We meet regularly on evenings or days agreed upon a number of months. At each session we look at an aspect of our Faith, eg the existence of God, who Jesus really is, what we do at Holy Mass, how being a Catholic affects our daily life. There is plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.
You are not rushed into making a decision. You are the person who decides at the time right for you. If you decide to proceed, you will normally be welcomed into the Church at the beautiful Easter Vigil service when we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. At that evening Vigil Service you will be baptised (if you are not a baptised Christian already) and be confirmed and make your First Holy Communion. In doing so, you become a full member of the Catholic Church and will receive a very warm welcome into the Parish of Ss Peter & Paul.
Can anyone become a Catholic?
Yes! Initially, one meets the Priest in a private appointment for him to understand who you are and for you to understand what is required of you as a candidate. All that is required is belief in God and the teachings of the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ. This should be borne out in our daily lives, eg by prayer, coming to Holy Mass every Sunday, living moral lives of truth and charity. If this isn’t entirely the case currently, then the RCIA programme is the opportunity to investigate further. All we ask is a willingness to explore in good faith and openness to the call of Jesus to become more faithfully His disciple. There are lots of misunderstandings about what the Catholic Church actually believes and why. This is your chance to find out for yourself. From the moment you begin to have an interest in enquiring about Catholicism, start attending Holy Mass without receiving Holy Communion, which will be prepared for at a later stage.
I was brought up as a Christian in another denomination. Do I have to reject my past life?
No! if it isn’t contrary to our Faith and morals. God has brought you to this point where you are considering becoming a Catholic in full communion with the church. We rejoice in the Christian goodness and truth you have experienced elsewhere.
What do I do next?
Email the parish [email protected] and you will be told details of the next RCIA session and how to make that first fantastic step.
“May they all be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… so that the world may believe,”
(John 17:21)