Team members

How does a person become Catholic?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (commonly known as the RCIA) or joining the Catechumenate is the recommended manner in which adults become full, active, participating members of the Catholic Church. People who go through this process may not be baptized, or may have already been baptized in another Christian Church, or may be baptized Catholic but have not been actively involved in the Church and have not received the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation.  The initiation process helps adults to grow in their relationship with God, become familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, and get involved in service within the parish or the wider community.

Our RCIA group meets every Monday Evening from 7:00pm-9:00pm. We will begin meeting in September 2011. Please call Sr. Dianne, Christian Initiation coordinator, for more information or if you might be interested in discussing further how you might complete your initiation into the Church.

Children of Catechetical age (7 years or older) who were not baptized as infants or baptized in other Christian denominations and wish to become Catholic or who have missed Confirmation or first Eucharist are prepared through the Rite of Christian Initiation for children. Children spend several months in  the initiation process, preparing through prayer, scripture, catechesis and ritual. Parental involvement and regular attendance at Sunday liturgies are necessary. Sessions will  begin sometime  in September 2011.  Please call Sr. Dianne for more information.

Some comments from this year’s newly initiated members, sponsors and team members:

"When I first started this journey last September, I was scared, emotional and inquisitive. I didn't know what to expect when I walked into our first meeting.The RCIA program has given me so much this past year.. It has opened my eyes and heart to God again. I had lost my way to God a few years ago and was so happy to have found my faith again. My sponsor, who is also my good friend , has been a wall of support for me.I really enjoyed dismissals on Sunday because they have helped me to apply the Gospel to my everyday life each week.This is a practice I have kept from my classes.I enjoyed sharing this experience with the other Candidates because we each talked about how our beliefs have affected our lives and how our faith has brought us closer to each other. Over all the RCIA experience has given me a sense of belonging to the faith community of St. Anne's Church and a deeper sense of being closer to God. These sessions have helped me enrich my faith deeper than I ever thought was possible" Susan Poelzer- Initiated into the Catholic Faith  

"My RCIA journey  was a wonderful surprise! I approached SR. Dianne about attending RCIA just to further my own faith development. Somehow, I got roped into being a sponsor, and it was the most amazing blessing. The young lady I sponsored  is such a beautiful person. She shared so much of herself, her spirituality and her life that I came away feeling I received a lot more than I gave. I could have just attended the meetings and still developed my own faith as a result, but journeying with someone eager to learn, hungry for our Catholic Faith that we take so often for granted, was the most amazing blessing of all." Keri Kotyk - Sponsor

"Being on the RCIA team this year has once again surprised me. At the end of every year I think 'well that certainly was wonderful, I can't imagine next year being any better.'  5 years on the RCIA team, continues to be an experience that amazes me. The priviledge of being able to journey with these adults always gives me far more than I could ever hope to give them. My faith continues to grow as does my understanding, my acceptance, and my absolute awe of God. Watching Him work in the lives of the RCIAcandidates and catechumens is always a  reflection of how He continues to work in my life." Sherry Mountain - Team Member
 

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults