RCIA - Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults - welcomes adults who are interested in exploring more about the Catholic faith and/or are thinking about becoming Catholic. We welcome new members year-round, either one-on-one or in small groups. In our meetings we provide an opportunity to explore your questions, thoughts, experiences and concerns.  No pressure is exerted in any way, and you will find yourself in a friendly and welcoming setting where you can comfortably contemplate this important discernment.
 
If you decide to continue on, members of the RCIA are invited to participate in several preparatory Rites, which usually take place during Sunday Mass. During Lent, RCIA members who attend weekend Mass are dismissed after the homily to reflect on the homily and the Sunday readings with a facilitator until the end of Mass.
 
Those who go through the process who have not yet been baptized (called catechumens) have the opportunity to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where they receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Those who are already baptized and choose to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church are received into Full Communion at the Easter Vigil as well.
 
 Those wishing to talk about this process, please contact Susan Fernandez.

We also offer a RCIA program for High School students. Please contact the Office for Youth and Families for more information, 203-438-7335.