RCIA – Becoming Catholic
At St. Brigid, we offer an adult and a children program in which you can study to become Catholic.
If you are searching to learn about the Catholic faith and how you can live it out in your life, please take time to read through the following information. If this is the path for you, please contact those listed on how you can start your journey soon.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The process of RCIA brings adults to the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
This process is successfully used for persons who are unbaptized; for baptized Christians who have been members of another denomination and seek to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church; and for baptized Catholics who are uncatechized and need either Confirmation and/or Eucharist. The initial period of inquiry begins with an interview with the parish RCIA team and the pastor. The time is intended to be relaxed and informal, giving those interested in the process an opportunity to explore and question.
RCIA Spring 2015
The yearly cycle of conversion, begins in late August/early September. For the unbaptized candidates and those candidates for conversion from another religion, the classes help them to understand what it means to be Catholic and to discern their desire to enter the formal process of the RCIA. For those baptized Catholics needing the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, this becomes a time of renewed commitment, ongoing formation, and deepened awareness of God’s presence.
The period of the Catechumenate provides an opportunity to learn the basic elements of the Catholic faith and become familiar with the practices and traditions of the Church. Particularly helpful are the times of reflection set aside to process the learning experience and the effects of our relationship with God and with others. Periodic Rites celebrated with the community mark the stages along the way and affirm the progress of the participants.
The group meets on Sunday morning with several Saturday reflections scheduled into the process.
Information on our RCIA Fall Program…click here. For more questions about starting on your spiritual journey in the Catholic faith, please contact Debra Schneider, Coordinator of Adult Faith, at 210-696-0896, ext. 209.
RCIA for Children
At St. Brigid, the Rite of Christian Initiation Adapted to Children and Youth is a two (2) year process.
Unbaptized children less than seven (7) years of age celebrate the Rite of Baptism for infants. Children not baptized Catholic, seven (7) years of age and over, enter the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) Adapted to Children/Youth and celebrate Baptism or Profession of Catholic Faith, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil after a minimum two year preparation. During the first year of this preparation, the children are placed in regular faith formation groups appropriate to their school grade. In the second year, they join other children, not baptized in the Catholic faith, in a multi-grade group of RCIA Adapted to Children or Youth.
For more information about your child beginning the RCIA process here at St. Brigid and starting and continuing their spiritual journey in the Catholic faith, please contact Sister Gemma Abonge, Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth, at 210-696-0896, ext. 206.
