RCIA is designed for adults who have been Baptized Catholic, have not received any further Sacraments, but wish receive them; for adults who have been Baptized Christian (with water and in the name of the Holy Trinity) but wish to come into full communion with the Catholic Church; and for those adults who have not been Baptized but whish to be Baptized Catholic and become members of the Church.
Classes are tailored for the individual and offered to suit your schedule. They are held once or twice/month. Those adults who need Baptism will be Baptized at the Easter Vigil. During their faith formation journey, the adult will take part in a three step process: The Rite of Acceptance into the order of catechumens, the Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names, and finally, the celebration of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil.
In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults’ introduction we read: “The rite of Christian initiation is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.”
If you or anyone you know:
(a) Have been Baptized into a Christian Faith by water and in the name of the Holy Trinity and wish to become Catholic
(b) Have been Baptized Catholic but have not yet received your other Sacraments, or
(c) Have never been Baptized
contact Art Calvo at 267.668.8332 to set up an appointment for classes tailored to your schedule.
Children’s Initiation Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Initiation Program is designed for children ages 6-17 who may require more formation than the would receive in CCD or a Catholic School. Typically, the children would fall into three categories:
Those who were Baptized into a non-Catholic Christian Church and are seeking incorporation into the Catholic Church (the Church); Those Baptized Catholic but have received no further Sacraments and are seeking full incorporation into the Church; and/or Those never having been Baptized and seeking full Communion into the Church. Normally, children will meet with the Director of Religious Education at their parent’s convenience (usually after school) for a year. Sacraments will be offered when the DRE and the pastor feel they are ready with Confirmation being offered in the fall with the others to be Confirmed or at the Easter Vigil, depending on the circumstances of the child.
Saint Martha Parish has had children in the CHIP program every year for the past four years.
