Adults who join the Catholic Church are welcomed into the Church through a process of conversion, faith development, and ritual celebration. Commonly referred to as the RCIA, or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, this initiation process begins as an individual is moved to ask questions about the Faith and comes to inquire if Christian life in the Catholic Church might be "right" for his/her own life.

This first "inquiry" phase actually lasts as long as an individual wishes to explore initial questions of faith. In our parish, we currently offer a series of "inquiry" sessions each fall. Participants are given the opportunity at the end of this time to make a commitment to developing a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church. If the individual is not ready at that time to make such a commitment, he/she may continue at the "inquiry" level.

A person who moves into the second phase spends time in deeper faith exploration and study of Catholic traditions. After a period of purification and enlightenment, one may be brought into full communion with the Church through the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter. If a person who was baptized in another Christian tradition (that baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and wishes to join the Catholic Church, there is no re-baptism; that person reaffirms his faith and receives the sacraments that are appropriate for his situation.

Participation in inquiry sessions does not imply a commitment to join the Church. It is recommended that anyone who is seeking a greater understanding of the Catholic Church begin to become involved with a particular Catholic parish so that information about faith and the Church is not seen as being isolated from real life experience.

Each inquirer is offered a sponsor who attends sessions with them and shares his or her own faith experiences with the inquirer.

If you are interested in finding out more about the RCIA at Saint Henry Parish call the parish office.