Becoming Catholic
Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)
Simon Peter answered Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68-69
Has there been a prompting on your heart to go deeper in faith? Are you an adult who has never been baptized, baptized in a different denomination, or an adult Catholic missing any sacraments? Have you felt the pull to become Catholic or simply fall more in love with Christ and His Church?
Inquire today! Please reach out to Lauren to schedule a time to meet and talk further, and to discuss next steps.
RCIA is the normal way in which adults and children of school age become full, active participating members of the Catholic Church. Children and teens follow a process similar to the adults but adapted for their own peer group.
The process to become Catholic involves 4 phases:
Phase I - Precatechumenate Begin attending sessions in the summer of 2023. During this time, the discussion centers around how God communicates with us, who Jesus is, what the Church is, and sharing time to ask questions about the Catholic faith. There is never any pressure to become Catholic, and this step does not have a timeframe. It is based on one’s own heart and response to conversion with the desire to continue forward.
Phase 2 - Catechumenate Attend 10:00 am Mass on Sunday mornings, followed by Scripture and catechesis sessions to develop a deepening awareness of God’s call and our response as lived out in the Catholic community. It is a time of nurturing, growth in faith, and continued conversion. This phase will introduce approaching the Word of God and a greater invitation to understand and live Catholic teaching, as well as what changes need to be made in our lives to respond to God’s inspiration, and what Baptism and the rest of the Sacraments in the Church mean.
Phase 3 - Purification and Enlightenment The days of Lent are the final period leading up to the Easter Vigil. This phase is a time of interior reflection, intensely centered on continued prayer, conversion of heart, and study leading up to the Easter Vigil, as well as joining in our faith community’s practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. At the Easter Vigil, adults receive all three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion.
Phase 4 - Mystagogia This is a period of time to reflect on the experiences of the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Church and a life lived in Christ, particularly now going out to be a part of the community and the world and serve Christ through the Church’s mission and outreach.
Baptized Christians Who Desire Catholic Sacraments
The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life. (CCC 1212) The Church is called to enable the People of God, through proper catechesis, to become effective witnesses of the Gospel.
Prince of Peace also offers a 9-week guided journey of faith for those who have been baptized Catholic, or Baptized in another Christian faith (with water and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and have been attending Mass regularly with family or friends, and are involved in the community, who are looking to grow deeper and desire for full communion with the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion at Pentecost. More information on that journey of faith and how to sign up can be found here: Adult Sacramental Preparation
We understand that each person’s journey is different, and God speaks to our hearts and lives in an individual way in different timeframes. Please contact Lauren to schedule a meeting so we can learn how to best accompany you based on where you are! We are praying for you!
The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and will provide appropriate spiritual formation to meet each person's needs. The ultimate goal of our process is to integrate the newly initiated into our vibrant faith community and help each person live a life of love and service to others, founded on the ever-deepening relationship and love of Christ and His Church.
LAUREN SCHELLER
Coordinator of Adult Ministry
lscheller@popplano.org