RCIA

The Rite of Christian initiation (RCIA) prepares you to enter into the Catholic Church by celebrating what are called the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

If you were already baptized in another Christian tradition, the initiation process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.

If you would like to participate in catechetical instruction in preparation for being received into the Catholic Church or if you would like to learn more about the Catholic faith, you are encouraged to contact the Religious Education Office at St. Theresa Catholic Church for more information.

*If you are Catholic and were not married in the Catholic Church, you are encouraged to register for Marriage Convalidation prior to registering for RCIA. Likewise, if you are divorced and remarried, regardless of faith background, you are encouraged to meet with a priest and begin the annulment process prior to registering for RCIA.

Click here to Register for RCIA

RCIA 2024 Fall Schedule

From the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 204 §1. The Christian faithful are those who, inasmuch as they have been incorporated in Christ through baptism, have been constituted as the people of God. For this reason, made sharers in their own way in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and royal function, they are called to exercise the mission which God has entrusted to the Church to fulfill in the world, in accord with the condition proper to each.

2. This Church, constituted and organized in this world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church governed by the successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him.

Can. 205 Those baptized are fully in the communion of the Catholic Church on this earth who are joined with Christ in its visible structure by the bonds of the profession of faith, the sacraments, and ecclesiastical governance.

Can. 206 §1. Catechumens, that is, those who ask by explicit choice under the influence of the Holy Spirit to be incorporated into the Church, are joined to it in a special way. By this same desire, just as by the life of faith, hope, and charity which they lead, they are united with the Church which already cherishes them as its own.

2. The Church has a special care for catechumens; while it invites them to lead a life of the gospel and introduces them to the celebration of sacred rites, it already grants them various prerogatives which are proper to Christians.

Register for Fall RCIA beginning, Monday, November 11 at 7:00PM:

Name*
First Middle Last
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Maiden Name
Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Home Phone*
Work Phone
Cell Phone
Email
Date of Birth*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
City of Birth*
State of Birth*
Father's Name*
First Middle Last
Mother's Name*
First Middle Last
Mother's Maiden Name*
Current Religion*
Were you ever baptized?*
What religion?*
Name of Baptismal Church*
Address of Baptismal Church*
Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Were you confirmed in the Catholic Church?*
Name of Confirmation Church*
Address of Confirmation Church*
Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Marital Status
Are you:*
- Single
- Married
- Separated
- Divorced
Name of Spouse*
First Middle Last
Spouse's Maiden Name
Religion of Spouse*
Did your wedding take place in the Catholic Church?*
What church did your wedding take place in?*
What was your religion at the time of the wedding?*
Are you engaged to be married?*
Name of Fiance*
Religion of Fiance*
Has your fiance been baptized?*
Has your fiance been married before?*
Date of Wedding*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Any prior marriages for you?*
Any prior marriages for your spouse?*
How many?*
Prior Marriage 1
Widowed or divorced?*
Name of former spouse*
Current Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Date of Marriage*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name of Church of Marriage (if civil marriage, write "Civil")*
Was the marriage blessed in the Catholic Church?*
Name of Catholic Church*
Date of Divorce*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Have you applied for an Annulment in the Catholic Church?*
If you have been previously married in any religion and have not sought an annulment, please contact the parish office as soon as possible to meet with a priest and investigate the annulment process. In certain circumstances, the annulment will have to be finalized prior to being received into the Catholic Church.
What diocese?*
City*
State*
Did the Catholic Marriage Tribunal give an annulment?*
Date of Annulment*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Prior Marriage 2
Widowed or divorced?*
Name of former spouse*
Current Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Date of Marriage*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name of Church of Marriage (if civil marriage, write "Civil")*
Was the marriage blessed in the Catholic Church?*
Name of Catholic Church*
Date of Divorce*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Have you applied for an Annulment in the Catholic Church?*
If you have been previously married in any religion and have not sought an annulment, please contact the parish office as soon as possible to meet with a priest and investigate the annulment process. In certain circumstances, the annulment will have to be finalized prior to being received into the Catholic Church.
What diocese?*
City*
State*
Did the Catholic Marriage Tribunal give an annulment?*
Date of Annulment*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Prior Marriage 3
Widowed or divorced?*
Name of former spouse*
Current Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Date of Marriage*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name of Church of Marriage (if civil marriage, write "Civil")*
Was the marriage blessed in the Catholic Church?*
Name of Catholic Church*
Date of Divorce*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Have you applied for an Annulment in the Catholic Church?*
If you have been previously married in any religion and have not sought an annulment, please contact the parish office as soon as possible to meet with a priest and investigate the annulment process. In certain circumstances, the annulment will have to be finalized prior to being received into the Catholic Church.
What diocese?*
City*
State*
Did the Catholic Marriage Tribunal give an annulment?*
Date of Annulment*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Prior Marriage 4
Widowed or divorced?*
Name of former spouse*
Current Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Date of Marriage*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name of Church of Marriage (if civil marriage, write "Civil")*
Was the marriage blessed in the Catholic Church?*
Name of Catholic Church*
Date of Divorce*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Have you applied for an Annulment in the Catholic Church?*
If you have been previously married in any religion and have not sought an annulment, please contact the parish office as soon as possible to meet with a priest and investigate the annulment process. In certain circumstances, the annulment will have to be finalized prior to being received into the Catholic Church.
What diocese?*
City*
State*
Did the Catholic Marriage Tribunal give an annulment?*
Date of Annulment*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

RCIA 2024-25 Meets at 7:00PM in the Zelie Room on Mondays.

RCIA Fall Schedule 2024-25

Additional Reading

Dei Verbum: “De Divina Revelatione: the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation of Vatican Council, Promulgated by Pope Paul VI, November 18, 1965.

Lumen Gentium: “Dogmatic constitution on the Church: Lumen Gentium, Solemnly Promulgated by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, on November 21, 1964.

John, Paul II. On the Family: Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris Consortio, of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Episcopate, to the Clergy and to the Faithful of the Whole Catholic Church Regarding the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World. Washington, D.C.

Forms Checklists

Complete the RCIA Registration Form, then:

For those seeking Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation:

Selection of Confirmation Saint
- Research the life of a Saint to whom you feel connected
- Submit Saint selection to Fr. John
Godparent Forms
Sponsor Form (if your confirmation sponsor differs from your Godparents)

For those seeking Confirmation:

Baptism Information
- Obtain proof of baptism from church of baptism
- Submit forms to Fr. John

Selection of Confirmation Saint
- Research the life of a Saint to whom you feel connected
- Submit Saint selection to Fr. John
Sponsor Form

For those who wish to have their marriage Convalidated:

Recently issued baptismal certificate for self and spouse (within six months)
Copy of marriage license
Completion of Marriage Preparation with a priest to establish freedom to marry
4 affidavits (2 for self and 2 for spouse) to establish freedom to marry (obtained at Marriage Preparation)

REQUIREMENTS FOR GODPARENTS

Two godparents, one male, one female may be used.
At least one godparent must be a practicing Roman Catholic. The Code of Canon law defines the requirements for Godparents.
1. At least 16 years of age
2. Must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion,  and Confirmation
3. If married, must have been married according to the laws and  regulations of the Catholic Church. If single, must not be  cohabiting with someone without the benefit of Marriage
4. Must regularly attend Holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of  Obligation.
5. Must have the Pastor of their parish complete St. Theresa’s  Godparent form.
A second godparent (Christian Witness) may be of another Christian faith (i.e. Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc) and must have a letter from the Pastor of their Christian Church. Obviously the Catholic Church does not have competence to issue a letter or verify whether a baptized member of another Christian Faith is suitable to act as Christian Witness. Therefore no such letters will be accepted.  (A BAPTISED CATHOLIC WHO LEFT THE CATHOLIC FAITH AND CONVERTED TO ANOTHER FAITH MAY NOT BE A CHRISTIAN WITNESS)

RCIA

Register for Fall RCIA beginning, Monday, November 11 at 7:00PM:

Marital Status

Prior Marriage 1

Prior Marriage 2

Prior Marriage 3

Prior Marriage 4