Becoming Catholic—the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, RCIA is for you! 

We welcome those who are not baptized, those who are baptized in another faith, Catholics who want to update their own faith, or Catholic adults who would like to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

RCIA is a faith-formation process for adults interested in learning about the Catholic faith, becoming Catholic or completing their initiation with the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA process has four stages:

Pre-Catechumenate - a time of asking questions and making inquiry into the Catholic Faith.

Catechumenate - a time of spiritual and continued growth and  learning.

Enlightenment/Purification - a time during Lent spent in preparation to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter seasons. Reaching this stage can take months or years, depending on the person and their personal faith journey.

Mystagogia– a time to reflect on what has happened in one’s faith journey, reach out to others and to connect with the parish and greater Catholic community. This stage can last one’s entire life!

Our Director of Sacramental Preparation, Faith Formation assistant, along with Parish team members, meet all year to prepare adults to enter the Catholic Church or complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist).

Our program currently meets between the two Sunday masses (9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.). We meet in the vestibule of the church.

Adults seeking to complete the sacraments of initiation are invited to take part in the preparation program and should contact Julia Rudden at jrudden@stjohnsea.org for more information.