While many Catholics are baptized into Christ and his Church as infants, today many are coming into communion with the Church as adults. This is accomplished through a modern process adapted from the practices of the ancient Church called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

After Christianity became legal in the 4th Century, it became advantageous for people to identify with the religion of the empire. To guard against ignorant or even false conversions, the Church set up a process of catechism (religious teaching) to ensure that they understood what they were doing. Becoming Catholic meant breaking away from the surrounding pagan culture. This is often true in the world today as well.

RCIA involves several stages in order to meet people where they are in their Christian faith. It begins with “Inquiry” which is a time to ask questions, begin to learn the basics of Catholicism, and experience the life of the parish.  Those who choose to move forward toward becoming Catholic go on to the “Catechumenate” for a more intense time of formation. This process is completed Lent with the third stage called “Purification and Enlightenment” culminating in reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.  Following initiation, the newly formed Catholics enter the period of “Mystagogy” - a time to deepen the understanding of, and participation in, the sacraments.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming Catholic, contact our RCIA Coordinator!

If you are a baptized Catholic who has left the Church, know that you’re never too far from God’s love! Whatever your reason for leaving, God is ready to receive you back. God desires communion with you in the body of Christ – his Church.
One of Jesus’ most famous parables illustrates this very point. In the story of the Prodigal Son, we find a young man who disrespected his father and squandered his inheritance in a life of sinful indulgence. When he realized what he had done, he was too ashamed to come back to his family as a son, and so volunteered to return as a servant. As he approached, his father ran to him, embraced him, and welcomed him back to the family with a great celebration.

​“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants,
“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand,
and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry;
​for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” 
(Luke 15:20-24)

Like the father in the story, God the Father awaits his children’s return to fellowship with him. God is ready to welcome you home, and so are we! As a Catholic, you may simply need to go to Confession to be reconciled and return to practicing your faith, but it is best to speak with a priest first.

If you are interested in returning to the Church, please contact our parish staff for guidance.