RCIA

The RCIA process is for you if…

• You are not baptized but are interesting in learning more about becoming Christian
• You have been baptized in a non-Catholic ecclesial community (e.g. Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, etc.) but are interested in joining the Catholic Church
• You have been baptized as a Catholic, but you never received the sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation

There are three tracks for Adults, Teens, and Children.  See further below for more information on Teen and Children’s RCIA.

What’s the first step?

If there are Inquiry classes currently taking place, then you can just show up!  Before that, or shortly afterward, you should call John Kovacs in the parish office to set up an initial interview, 281-286-7729, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Where does Inquiry meet?

The classes currently meet from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights in the Parish Office Conference Room.

What’s the current Inquiry schedule?

What exactly are the stages of the RCIA?

Period 1:  Inquiry

The Inquiry period is “on-going”, in the sense that any time of the year is a good time to begin!  We offer 11-session cycles of classes, 2 or 3 times per year, depending on the need.  But in the “down” times, there is plenty to do to begin this exciting journey!

Transition to Period 2: The Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming

Period 2: Catechumenate

The Catechumenate is a time of pastoral formation and guidance.  It is a time of “formation of mind and heart” that is gradual and complete, following the rhythm of the liturgical year and supported by celebrations of the Word.  It is a time when the candidate becomes appropriately acquainted with Church dogmas and doctrines, through a systematic catechesis, but also a time for a profound appreciation of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate.

Those in the Catechumenate stage participate in “Breaking Open the Word,” which takes place during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, after the homily until the end of Mass.

The systematic catechesis currently takes place on Wednesday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in Room 1 of the School.  Please Note:  the Catechumenate class will move to Sunday mornings, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass, starting in August 2013.  After the Breaking Open the Word ends, around 10:15 a.m., we'll take a break for 15 minutes, then begin the systematic catechesis from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Here is the current schedule (which started last year):

Transition to Period 3:  The Rite of Sending and Election

Period 3:  Purification and Enlightenment

The stage of Purification and Enlightenment coincides with the liturgical season of Lent.  It is a time of spiritual preparation through prayer and interior reflection that focuses on conversion of mind and heart.  Those in the process, along with the entire community, are called to move away from sin and be drawn into the mystery of God’s love.

We continue to meet Sunday mornings at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, with Breaking Open the Word.  And the systematic topics on Wednesday evenings continue.  (These classes will move to Sunday mornings starting in August 2013.  See Period 2 above for more information.)

Transition to Period 4:  Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil

Period 4:  Mystagogy

This is a time to grow deeper in our understanding of the Paschal Mystery and to actively live it through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the Eucharist and doing works of charity.  The period of Mystagogy really lasts our entire life, as we continually embrace and celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in our own lives.

During the period of Mystagogy, we continue to meet on Wednesday evenings for our weekly classes, which continue until Pentecost.  (These classes will move to Sunday mornings starting in August 2013.  See Period 2 above for more information.)

RCIA for Teens and Children

The RCIA process is adaptable for children between the ages of 7 and 17 who want to become Catholic or complete their initiation into the Catholic faith.  It follows the form of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, but adapts it to the age and needs of the young people in the process.

There are two tracks:  Teen RCIA for those who are in high school or middle school, and Children’s RCIA for those who are in elementary school.

Both teens and children who have not been baptized before, regardless of their age, will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil:  Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

If a child or teen has been baptized before, but in a non-Catholic ecclesial community, then he will receive First Eucharist only (and not Confirmation) if he is younger than the age when youth normally begin the process of preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  If this is the case, then when the time comes, he can enter the normal process to prepare for the Rite of Confirmation with his peers (normally in 9^th or 10^th grade).  Those too old for this (that is, those who would finish the RCIA process after starting the 9^th grade) will receive both their First Eucharist and Confirmation through the RCIA.

Whether baptized or not, the entire RCIA process for teens or children will take between one and two years.

In addition to the instruction given through the RCIA process, teens and children are required to be enrolled in an appropriate faith formation program:  LifeTeen or Edge for the high-schoolers or middle-schoolers, and the Family Faith Formation or Children’s Faith Formation for the elementary-schoolers.  This is a requirement, since the RCIA process will be for them a supplement to their ordinary faith formation program.

To begin the process, contact John Kovacs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an initial interview.  For children, the parents will be expected to participate in the entire process.  For teens, the parents may be asked to participate, depending on the teen’s situation, but will at least be asked to give their consent.

Updated 3-22-13
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