RCIA

For adults, the way to join the Catholic Church is a process called RCIA. RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. RCIA is intended for just about anyone and everyone: baptized or not; seekers and doubters; even Catholics who have fallen away and would like to return. In short, RCIA is for you.

No matter where you are in your journey of faith, there is a place for you here with us. Don't be afraid to take that first step.  Come, see for yourself what we are all about! 

RCIA classes are held Sunday mornings at 9am in the Parish Center Adult Education Rooms (#137-135)
 

RCIA classes are well underway!  Are you interested but haven't joined us yet?  Contact Mary Peacock to find out what your options are to learn about the Catholic Faith!

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process where adults explore the Catholic Faith in a non-judgmental setting.  There is no pressure to join and classes are open to anybody out of high school and over the age of 18.  Breakfast snacks are provided, as well as Childcare for children ages 18 months and up!

I am so grateful to be asked to share how God called me home to the Catholic Church. My family attended a fundamentalist Baptist Church and that is how I was raised and at times still the lens through which I see things, please be patient with me God isn’t finished yet. As a teenager and well into my 20s the Christian life was the furthest thing from my mind but God in His infinite love pointed out my need to get sober. I attended meetings where I was told I needed a Higher Power and I knew they meant God. My first thought was “who do you think I’ve been running from all this time!?” I now understand that this as God’s work of Grace initiated in my Baptism. I did join a church but never really got in the habit of attending, mostly when I was desperate for help from God. Struggled to feel like I belonged there or even what God was asking of me. I’ve always had issues with depression, sometimes so bad I’d have myself convinced that even God couldn’t help. Nothing seemed to satisfy me, life at times was just lonely and empty. I found myself isolating more and more. I didn’t want to stop going to church but didn’t want to go back to where I had been going. I’m an early riser and knew Immaculate Heart had a Sunday morning Mass at 7:30 so I started attending. I didn’t know what to expect I just knew that this was it, if this didn’t work I was done. Not sure what done meant but it wasn’t positive. Don’t ask me what changed or why I kept going back, but I did. I WANTED to go. I looked forward to Sunday morning mass, not sure I ever looked forward to going to church before. I liked how I felt through the week after attending. Finally I told some people at work what I’d been doing. Was told I needed to keep going because something good was obviously happening, they had noticed before I said anything. I kept hearing things like how much Jesus loves us and wants to be in our lives and how we should love and care for others. One Sunday before Mass started it occurred to me that it felt like I should have always been there. That got me thinking that maybe I should consider becoming Catholic. I mentioned this to my neighbor who I knew was Catholic and devout. He was so happy and excited it took me by surprise. He invited me to Alpha which was months away at that point but I said I’d think about it. This was in the fall and Alpha started in January, by the time January came around I was ready to go to at least the opening session. I was still pretty skeptical about it especially meeting new people but God’s love was there in a way that only God’s love can be, the kind of love that can melt a heart of stone or break down the protective walls we sometimes put up. One morning during my morning prayers and reading time I asked Jesus to come into my heart and life. Not in a desperate needy sense like I’d always asked for help before but in a way of gratitude and really wanting Him in my life. It was very clear that day that I should do whatever it takes to become Catholic. I shared this with people I had been getting to know at Alpha and they were more excited about it than I was! Christ’s love knows no bounds! So through Alpha and after some wonderful instruction I was confirmed on June 4th, 2017. Friends, family and coworkers came to support me that day and I’ll never forget it. Life has not been the same since. While I still have bouts of depression they are not as deep and debilitating. The more I study God’s word and teaching, pray and serve the more aware I am of God’s love and grace. Experiencing Christ’s real Presence in the Eucharist and for the first time in my life finding true forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation I have a sense of grounding and belonging like I’ve never before had in my life. After Mass the day I was confirmed a gentleman I had not met before came up to me to welcome me into the Church - he told me that every day he reads from the Bible and prays and that over the years Jesus had become his best friend. I hope one day to be able to say that with the same sincerity. I feel like I’m just at the beginning. So much I need and want to learn. I believe God still has a plan for me but most days I’m content to be just where I am. God is so good.  -Dale Hinkley (RCIA 2017)