The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is designed for non-Catholics who wish to learn more about the Catholic Church.
The RCIA process explores the meaning of faith and how Catholics express that faith in the community and in the world. It offers a chance to ask questions, raise doubts, acquire information, share, learn and grow. The process helps seekers to discern whether or not God is calling them to become Catholic. Those who complete the process celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism (if needed), First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
What’s the commitment? First of all, you’re not making a commitment to join the Catholic Church. You won’t be pressured into making any decisions; you can stop attending the meetings at any time. While many past participants have chosen to join the Church, others have not. That’s OK. The Spirit of God works in us differently, and the process requires that all involved respect those individual differences. You will continue to be welcome at the meetings and in the parish no matter what your decision.
For information concerning the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, contact the parish office, 847-362-1005 or email our Associate Pastor, Fr. Shemek Tomczyk, at [email protected].
Each of us who are part of the Catholic community of faith find meaning, fulfillment and hope in and through our relationship to the Lord and our relationship as sisters and brothers in the Church. Each of us, by our very call to discipleship by Christ, is called to share the good news we have found in Jesus and his Church with others. We need to be about the gentle art of inviting, welcoming and witnessing.
In relationships you have had over the years, maybe you have heard a family member, a friend or a neighbor express interest or ask questions about our Catholic faith tradition. A gentle invitation from you to consider participating in the RCIA process may be the moment of grace that will make a difference for someone who has felt drawn in the past and whose faith journey still causes them to search.
You might want to share this information about the RCIA with anyone to whom you wish to offer an invitation. Perhaps to give them support and encouragement, you might offer to accompany them to one of the meetings.