For adults, youth, and children 7 years of age and older.

"RCIA" stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. When the Church uses the word "adult" in reference to Christian initiation, it includes children. In other words, there is no additional rite for children or teens. "Adult" refers to everyone who has reached the age of reason.

This is an ongoing process designed especially for:

• people who are interested in finding out more about being a Catholic Christian,
  
  
• those who have decided that they wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church,
  
  
• those who have been baptized in another faith, and would like to become Catholic,
  
  
• those who have been baptized Catholic, and would like to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (First Communion and Confirmation). ***
  
  

The "Inquiry" is a group for those who would like to know more about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, be baptized, and become an active member of the Catholic Church. This is a place to ask questions, find out more, and discern your call to Catholic Christianity. The dynamic in this weekly group is warm and welcoming, and discusses basic questions of faith, as well as being willing to address individual concerns. It usually meets on Sundays at 11:00 AM.

The "Catechumenate" is a group of people who have discerned that they are ready to take the next step toward becoming Catholic. This group meets weekly to journey together in faith, "breaking open" the Word of God that is proclaimed at Mass each week, and learning more about the tenants of the Catholic Faith. Opportunities are offered for individuals to enter into the life of the church through prayer, liturgy, service and outreach, and community building. All of this is preparation for encountering Jesus Christ in the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, the sacraments that complete their initiation in the Church.

When individuals discern, together with their sponsors and the leadership team, that they are ready to celebrate Baptism, they enter a special time of prayer and preparation during Lent, and will celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil liturgy on Holy Saturday.

Adults, Teens, and Children (over the age of 7) journey in separate but parallel tracks, joining together at special liturgies and ultimately at the Easter Vigil for Baptism.

Contact: Mary Birmingham 254-1595 x3068 mbirmingham@ascensioncatholicsch.org to find out more and to get started!

*** Adult Catholics who have been active in the life of the community, but for some reason were never confirmed, may prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation with others who also wish to complete their sacraments. These individuals will attend several formation days together and receive Confirmation together when the bishop comes to our parish to confer the sacrament.  Contact Deacon Tom Stauffacher at 242-4504 or proftom369@cfl.rr.com