What is RCIA?

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

What Adults Need to Know Before Becoming Catholic

RICA- Proceso en Español

Here at Nativity, an adult can begin RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, process at any time.
First, please contact Vicki Hawkins, our Faith Formation Director (813) 689-9101 or vicki@nativitycatholicchurch.org
When you enroll in Nativity's RCIA program, interested adults will spend time in an Inquiry group where they will be able to learn much about and ask questions regarding the Catholic faith, and they will have the opportunity to share their own faith journey.
You will have an RCIA sponsor, a current Catholic adult, who is willing to share your faith journey and guide you through your preparation.
After Inquiry, one becomes part of the Catechumenate and attends 10:30 Sunday Mass together as a group, and after the homily, you will gather together to reflect on Scriptures and their lessons for our daily lives.
Members of the catechumenate also gather as a group on Wednesday nights from 7pm-8:45pm in the St. Francis room in our Social Hall.
Those who are coming from another Christian denomination are asked to also participate in the Inquiry and Catechumenal process by coming to Wednesday night classes and Sunday, 10:30 Mass. They will join the Catholic faith by offering a “Profession on Faith”, and then receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

After this wonderful discovery and faith-filled process, at the Easter Vigil those Catechumens seeking Baptism are baptized during that Mass.

Preparación para recibir los sacramentos (Bautismo, Confirmación, Eucaristía y Penitencia) se ofrece los miércoles por la noche de 7:00p.m. a 8:30 pm. Estas clases se ofrecen para los jóvenes no bautizados mayores de 8 años de edad. Adultos no bautizados y bautizados reciben instrucción en la fe en ese momento también.

Además de las clases de miércoles por la noche, los participantes en RICA asisten a la misa en español de las 12:30 p.m. los domingos. Después de la homilía, los miembros son 'despedidos' de aquellos reunidos en la misa para hablar de las escrituras y las lecciones que la palabra de Dios tiene para vivir una vida cristiana Católica.

El tiempo de permanencia en RICA variará dependiendo de la persona. Para obtener más información, o para registrarse, póngase en contacto con Vicki Hawkins, Directora de Formación de Fe

The length of time spent in Inquiry and Catechumenate will vary depending on the individual. For those who are unbaptized, the time involved is at least a year. For baptized Christians from other churches, the preparation time usually is shorter.

Individuals seeking Baptism are baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Eucharist during the Great Easter Vigil. Those Christians seeking to join the Catholic Church by making a Profession of Faith do so during Mass three or four times a year.

The length of time spent in RICA will vary depending on the individual. For more information, or to register, contact Vicki Hawkins, Director of Faith Formation

How can I volunteer and get involved?

You can join our Catechumenate team, Inquiry team, sponsor someone, be a prayer partner, or facilitate scripture sharing.

Is volunteer training provided?

YES! Training is provided for all RCIA ministries via the Faith Formation Office.

What is a Catechumen?

An unbaptized person who desires to become Catholic through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

What is a Candidate?

Someone who was baptized in the Christian faith and are seeking to become full members of the Catholic Church through Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

What is Inquiry?

The first step in RCIA. Typically, adults spend two months discussing their faith lives and learning basic information about the Catholic Church.

What is the Catechumenate?

The second step in RCIA. It includes weekly meetings as well as weekly Sunday Mass attendance with the catechumen group. During Mass, Catechumens and Candidates are dismissed for Scripture Sharing after the homily.