St. John Neumann

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Are you searching for a spiritual home?

A place to worship within a community of faith?

Discover the Catholic Church

• it's history
• it's teachings
• it's sacraments
• it's traditions!

Discover a community centered around Jesus Christ in the Eucharist!

The reason I chose to become a Catholic has a lot to do with my wife, Kimberly.  Kimberly is already Catholic and I didn't have a religion.   I decided to ask how I would go about becoming a Catholic.  Week by week I started learning, understanding God's word and sharing my thoughts and experiences with others.  What a great feeling I had each week!  At the Easter Vigil, I felt like bonding with the Lord and was looking forward to committing myself to Him.  I wasn't sure what I was going to feel that night, but as the waters of Baptism flowed, I felt in my heart the true meaning of becoming a Catholic. Robert Ozella

What is the R.C.I.A.?

It is a process of conversion for those who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church, with the possibility of becoming a member of a community centered around prayer and the Eucharist.

The journey of faith begins in the fall with a period of inquiry:

• What do we know about God?
• Why should I pray?
• Why the Church?
• What is the Bible?

The journey moves into a period of instruction about:

• what the Catholic Church teaches
• the practices of the Church
• the traditions of the Church
• the Sacraments of the Church

For those who would like to join the Church, Lent is a time of preparation for receiving the sacraments of Baptism (if not already baptized), Confirmation and the Eucharist.  It is also a time of joy, as the whole Church celebrates its renewal and new life.

When I signed up for R.C.I.A., I thought I was simply joining the Catholic Church.  I quickly realized I had become closer to God and become closer to my family.  I wasn't joining a "church," but a much larger family in Christ.  Now I am able to join in the feast of Everlasting Life. Scott Williams

How can Catholics help?

• Pray for inquirers and those who are assisting them in the journey of faith.
• Invite people to attend and join in the Rite of Initiation.
• Become a welcomer or sponsor, or even an R.C.I.A. support person.
• Tell others about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
• Give the URL of this web page  to a person who is not attending any church.

Here's what others have said about RCIA:

"RCIA helped me bring a stronger belief in my spiritual life.  RCIA also helped shed light on long standing misconceived ideas of the Church's beliefs, practices and faith.  I always look forward to being here and participating in the discussions." -- Phil B.

"I came to RCIA seeking a new religion.  I certainly found the Catholic faith so very satisfying but more than a new religion I found a relationship with God I was not expecting.  I have begun to know Him in prayer and in every corner of my life. . . My life will never be the same."  -- Mark B

"For me this has been a wonderful journey. . . . I would recommend this to anyone that is feeling lost or not sure where the road of life is leading them." -- Brigitte S.

"Being in a group of people all doing the same thing made it a true uplifting experience.  The team members and staff were very inspiring to me. . . . I was brought up with no religion, new being part of the Catholic faith makes me feel whole."  Jim B.

Sign up here!