What is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, is a program for adults to learn more about the Catholic faith. RCIA is a chance for people to learn the basics of what it means to be Catholic, to ask their burning questions, and to seek ways to be more open to God in their lives. Though it is geared toward adults who are discerning to join the Catholic Church, adults who are already confirmed members of the Church are an integral part of leadership. Any adult is welcome to participate in this faith sharing and learning experience.

Some questions past RCIA participants have asked:
 Should I be giving money to the panhandler on the street?
 How does God want me to help my alcoholic relative?
 What do I say when my child asks me ‘Why did God let those people die in the hurricane?’
 I would like to read the Bible more, but I don’t know how to start. What’s the best way to
do that?
 Why do Catholics dip their fingers in the water at the beginning of mass?
 Why does the Catholic Church teach that it’s wrong for my homosexual friends to be married?
 Can I still be Catholic if I disagree with some of the Catholic teachings?

The RCIA program was developed for adults who are considering becoming Catholic and for Catholics
who were never confirmed or received their first communion. Every year people at all different stages
in their faith lives join together to explore what they believe, learn more about what the Catholic
tradition teaches, and learn from each other’s life experiences. In the last few years, some people who
have gone through the process at Corpus Christi grew up Christian but not Catholic. Some grew up
with no religious tradition but are now married to a Catholic. Some were raised as secular Jews or
Buddhists. Some life-long Catholics have even joined in because they wanted to explore their faith as
an adult now.

What if I’m not sure I want to become Catholic or be Confirmed?
Not a problem! The initial meetings are designed to answer some basic questions, give you a feel for
what the journey will be like, and see if it suits what you are seeking in your life. If at any time the
process doesn’t feel like a good fit, you are encouraged to go on your way with our blessings.

If I’m already a Confirmed Catholic, is RCIA right for me?
Many of us stopped learning about our Catholic faith when we received the sacrament of confirmation in our early teens. It’s not uncommon for us to realize as adults that we want to know more about our faith, to wrestle with some of the more difficult questions we have, and to grow closer to God. The RCIA group is an opportunity for you to really explore your faith from an adult perspective now that you have more life experience. It is also a chance to see your faith through the eyes of people exploring it for the first time. Together we’ll help each other grow closer to God.