The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) helps adults explore the Catholic faith, with the goal of becoming full members of the Roman Catholic Church.
RCIA introduces you to a relationship with Jesus Christ. The RCIA process is about growth and change so that we can live more fully in relationship with God and each other. Participation in RCIA leads to receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and first Communion at the Easter Vigil.
Becoming Catholic is one of life's most profound and joyous experiences. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are infants, and, over time, they recognize the enormous grace that has been bestowed on them. Others enter the Catholic fold when they are older children or adults.
A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiation—baptism, confirmation, and the holy Eucharist—but the process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms.
A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One's initiation is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism. This is true for children who are baptized Catholic (and receive the other two sacraments later) and for adults who are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the same time.
Those who have been validly baptized outside the Church become Catholics by making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by confirmation and the Eucharist.
Before a person is ready to be received into the Church, whether by baptism or by profession of faith, preparation is necessary. The amount and form of this preparation depends on the individual's circumstance. The most basic division in the kind of preparation needed is between those who are unbaptized and those who have already become Christian through baptism in another church.
For adults entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), sometimes called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
For the past number of years we have worked with Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame in this journey of faith. We have combined resources and materials and have a dedicated team. It is truly a joy to accompany adults to the celebration of the Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
If you are interested in becoming a Catholic please contact the parish office at: secretary@saintdunstanchurch.org or Fr. Joe (650) 697 4730.