Welcome!

Faith is a way of seeing. It is a way of understanding, answering, and living the fundamental questions of life. To be Christian and Catholic is to see, celebrate and live in a particular way. If your heart is leading you to seek a deeper relationship with God, if you are curious about what Catholics believe, then the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the place to start. 

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process established for the universal Church for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. This initiation process also involves a parish community experiencing a renewal in faith as it prepares and welcomes new members into the Church. The Rite speaks of conversion as a “spiritual journey.” Centered on fostering a deep relationship with Jesus and the Church he founded, this journey takes place through distinct stages over a period of time suitable to bring about a thorough catechesis, significant experience of the parish community, and commitment to the liturgical and moral life of the Catholic faithful.
 
The process usually takes about nine months from September to after Easter. At the end of the experience, those who wish to become Catholic may do so. Because each person's journey of faith is unique, their situation is taken into account. At Easter time, those wishing to become Catholic celebrate Baptism (if they have not been baptized before), Confirmation and their first Eucharist.

RCIA is for . . . 

  • Those who are not baptized and wonder what being baptized means for them in light of sacramental teaching.
  • Those who have been baptized in other faith traditions and would like to explore what it means to be Catholic.
  • Adult baptized Catholics seeking Holy Communion and Confirmation.
  • Everyone on their own personal journey of faith with doubts, struggles and a sincere hunger for a new encounter with faith.

Topics and Events Include . . .

Weekly sessions will begin in the Fall. Exact schedule to be determined.
  • Welcome
  • Tour of the church
  • Explanation of the Mass
  • The Bible
  • The search for meaning
  •  Jesus and the trinity
  • Discipleship
  • Church history
  • The church today
  • Mary, saints, and angels
  • Prayer
  • Baptism
  • Eucharist
  • Anointing of the sick
  • Holy orders
  • Marriage
  • Reconciliation
  • Confirmation
  • Growth in virtue
  • Moral decision making
  • Social teaching and respect of life
  • Last things: judgments, heaven, hell
  • Chrism Mass
  • Easter celebration

Interested?

Download and complete the Inquiry Form (see below). For questions and to learn more contact:
Fr. Tony Galati at 503-281-6461, frtony@stcharlespdx.org
Leif Kehrwald at 503-351-9889, lkehrwald@stcharlespdx.org
Becoming Catholic Inquiry Form
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