Each year the Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester sponsors a RCIA group that is tailored to fit the scheduling needs of undergraduate students, graduate students, and local residents. Anyone interested in this process should make contact with the pastor or another Newman Community staff member to discuss our program. The RCIA program starts late September, runs through Easter, and lasts a lifetime. For more information about the RCIA process, or to join the Newman Community's RCIA program, please contact Sr Jackie at jmreichart@gmail.com.
How Does One Become Catholic?
Some people become Catholic by being baptized as infants, growing up in Catholic homes, receiving formal catechesis and coming to share in the sacraments of the Church.
Other Catholics come to the church as adults, already baptized, having received their religious formation in another faith. They may have been contacted by a Catholic, but they probably made the first move by talking to a priest or sister or someone else about the Church.
For those who think they might wish to become Catholic, the Church has the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), which is the formal title for the whole process of preparing adults for initiation into the Catholic Church.
What is the Journey of Faith?
The RCIA program prepares those who wish to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and become a practicing Catholic.
How do I get into the Program?
If you or a friend are interested in pursuing the possibility of becoming Catholic or preparing for Confirmation, the first step is to make an appointment with the pastor. Please contact jmreichart@gmail.com.
What is Involved?
During your meeting, the pastor will ask you about your interest in the Catholic faith, what sacraments you wish to prepare for, suggest a basic text about Catholicism for you to purchase and outline the elements of our program that fit your needs. You will be invited to participate in the RCIA program, our program that offers an overview of the topics covered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as an opportunity for you to reflect on how to integrate the Catholic faith with your daily life.
You will also be invited to register with us, participate in some of our programs, attend Sunday Mass, meet periodically with a chaplain, participate in reflection on the Gospels and choose a sponsor.
What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is a confirmed Catholic who actively participates in the life of the church and is excited about his/her faith. Your sponsor walks with you through the Journey of Faith and shares his/her experience of being Catholic with you. Your sponsor also stands up for you at the time you receive the sacraments.
How long is the program?
That depends. If you are a practicing Catholic, are knowledgeable about the faith and are looking to be confirmed, one semester may be sufficient. If you are looking to be baptized and are unfamiliar with the faith, the process is usually longer. Respecting that each person is unique; the Christian Initiation Process does not have a time-line for an individual's conversion journey. For some this may be a matter of months; for others it may be over several years.
What can I expect if I have not been baptized?
You will be invited to explore your desire for baptism. You will meet periodically with a chaplain. Also you will be invited to become familiar with our parish by attending Mass and participating in one or more parish programs.
When you decide to seriously prepare for baptism you may ask to enter the Catechumenate. As a catechumen, you will be considered a serious pilgrim along your journey to incorporation into the Catholic Church and look forward to celebrating the three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. It is customary to be a catechumen for at least one year.
During your time as a catechumen you will continue to learn about Catholicism, attend Mass every Sunday, meet regularly with a chaplain and your sponsor, be encouraged to participate in a retreat and explore ways to develop your prayer life. You will meet with the pastor to discuss the appropriate time to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. These sacraments are ordinarily celebrated at the Easter Vigil, the night before Easter Sunday.
On the First Sunday of Lent preceding your initiation in to the church you will attend the Rite of Election presided over by our bishop. The bishop receives each catechumen and you will be invited to sigh the Book of the Elect. During Lent you will participate in many rituals celebrated at Sunday Mass. These rituals help to purify your mind and heart and strengthen you spiritually and witness to the community your desire and commitment.
How Is R.C.I.A. Organized?
The following steps are included in the Initiation Process
I. Period of Evanelization
and Precatechumenate
This is a time for hearing the first preaching of the Gospel.
FIRST STEP: Rite of Acceptance
into the Order of Catechumens
“Inquirers” who experience initial conversion and wish to become Catholic
are accepted as “Catechumens” or “Candidates” by the church through the liturgical
rite.
II. Period of Catechumenate
This period, which begins with the Rite of Acceptance, includes catechesis
and the rite connected with it. It may last for several years, and comes to
an end on the day of Election.
SECOND STEP: Election or
Enrollment of Names
In this liturgical rite, usually celebrated the First Sunday of Lent, the
Church formally ratifies the Catechumens' and Candidates' readiness for the
sacraments if initiation. At this point, they are known as the elect.
III. Period of Purification
and Enlightenment
This period is rather short and normally coincides with Lent.
THIRD STEP: Celebration
of the Sacraments of Initiation
Ordinarily the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
are celebrated at the Easter Vigil Liturgy.
IV. Period of Postbaptismal,
Catechesis or Mystagogy
While this period of fifty days, form Easter to Pentecost, completes the initiation
process, it is actually a passage into the mission and ministries of the Catholic
Church. This time is necessary for introducing a person into the rhythm and
life of the Catholic Church.
Your Next Step:
You can begin by contacting a staff person of the Catholic Newman Community or speak with an active member of the Catholic Newman Community. A meeting with a staff person to discuss your journey of faith will follow in due course.