Persons who are not baptized in any faith tradition and who desire to explore and perhaps pursue full initiation into the Catholic Church do so through the RCIA.  This process includes the following stages:

Inquiry: Asking questions, exploring Catholic faith, no obligation
Catechumenate:  An initial commitment to formal formation in Catholic faith.
Election: The final stage of preparation, ritualized in the Rite of Election, signifying that the Catechumen has been chosen for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Full Initiation:  The celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

For persons already baptized in another Christian faith tradition, the process is similar, except that the Catholic Church recognizes any baptism celebrated with the water and the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The RCIA process may last between 9 months and nearly two years, depending on the needs and inclination of each participant.  A person may join at any time during the process; formation topics are cyclical.

For children age 8 and up, the process is similar but adapted to the young person’s developmental needs.

RCIA Registration Form

For more information about the RCIA process:
Contact Rick Hardy.