• Member Login
St. Benedict Cathedral
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Parish Staff
    • Pastoral Council
    • School Council
    • Stewardship Council
    • Finance Council
    • Join the Parish
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Contact Us
  • Ministries
    • Youth & Young Adult Ministry
    • EMHC Guidelines
    • View All Ministries
  • Sacraments
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
    • Baptisms
    • Becoming Catholic
  • News
    • New Parishioners
    • Weekly Bulletin
    • Newsletter
    • Faith Formation
    • One God, One Community
    • St. Vincent De Paul
    • Church Tours
  • Parish Prayers
  • Giving Opportunities
  • School
You are here: Home / Becoming Catholic

Becoming Catholic

Becoming Catholic

through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

 

 Have you ever thought about being Catholic?

If your answer is yes chances are that God is calling you to conversion – not the conversion from one religion (or no religion) to another religion but a deeper conversion from sin and the pursuit of a wider knowledge and understanding of Him. It is a conversion that is brought about through learning the truths of faith that came down to us from the early Church Fathers, and a conversion through repentance, prayer, the Bible, tradition, liturgy, and worship.

 What’s different about the Catholic Faith?

For starters, the Catholic Faith is the Christian Faith that has Christ as its founder. He established the Church and made Peter its head as the first Pope when He told him: “Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build My Church”  (Mt 16:18). It is the only Christian religion that has as its unifying force an unbroken chain of popes who are Christ’s vicar here on earth. Because of his authority given by Christ there is an unbroken line of succession of bishops and priests.

It is a sacramental Church, the only religion whose liturgies center around the seven sacraments. Church teaching comes from the Bible (including the Old Testament) and many of its practices and liturgies come from tradition. The Mass is the center of Catholic worship where bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ through the action of the priest. The Church and its priests have the power to forgive sins. That power was given by Christ to His apostles and their successors when He said: “Whose sins you shall forgive will be forgiven, whose sins you shall retain shall be retained” (John 20: 21-23).

Some Reasons People Become Catholic

Often people become interested in the Catholic Church because of the attractive lifestyle of a Catholic who lives the faith. Many people are influenced by the joy, generosity, and helpfulness that they see in a Catholic believer. Sometimes marriage to a practicing Catholic inspires interest and when one sees the love of God and neighbor, devotion and goodness in the spouse, that person wants to be similar.

For some, attending a Catholic Mass or visiting a Catholic Church prompts feelings of a Presence not felt anywhere else. Some see people at prayer when attending a Catholic Service.

No matter the source of the attraction, it is always an invitation from God to look into the Catholic Faith.

What is RCIA?

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) has its origin in the early Church and was restored after the Second Vatican Council, a process of learning the teachings of Jesus, the Trinity, the Bible, Church history and teachings, liturgies, Christian principles, prayer and devotion, and a constant call to conversion, especially through the liturgical Rites that are an integral part of the RCIA process

How does one become Catholic?

The RCIA is the Church’s ordinary way of bringing adults into the Catholic Church. However, it is not the only way. RCIA formation consists of weekly group sessions in faith formation, each session lasting about 90 minutes. Some people prefer a one-on-one session for various reasons, such as an inability to attend weekly due to work schedules, or feeling too uncomfortable in group settings. The preparation time in most situations is less than one year depending on one’s Christian background.

Deacon David Rice, along with trained catechists, teach and give witness to the principles, beliefs, and values of the Catholic Faith in weekly group sessions from September to Pentecost. Looking into the Catholic Church is open to people of all faiths, baptized and unbaptized, as well as to those of no faith.

RCIA Formation

Catechumens are only those people who do not know Christ through baptism. They are the unbaptized. Candidates for Full Communion are baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

Catechumens and candidates in our parish usually begin their faith formation in September, with classes held weekly until Pentecost Sunday (early June of the following year). Classes, dates and times may vary according to individual needs.

All those who are interested in becoming Catholic must have a sponsor. The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic and willing to attend most of the weekly meetings. The sponsor’s job is to give support and to answer questions. The parish can provide a sponsor for those who do not have one.

The RCIA team (deacon and catechists) make a great effort to create a learning environment where the participants feel comfortable and at ease and where questions and comments are always welcome.

Participants are expected to acquire a current edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and a copy of the Revised New Amaerican Bible (RNAB). Other materials and supplies are provided free of charge. There is absolutely no pressure to become Catholic — that decision is left to the individual’s discernment as to where God is leading.

Questions

If you have questions about the RCIA or any other aspect of the Catholic Church, please feel free to contact the parish staff of St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714, cathedral@evdio.org, (812) 425-3369.

Fr. Godfrey Mullen gmullen@evdio.org

or Deacon David Rice drice@evdio.org

      Rest assured that we are praying each day that God will help every person on earth know the path of freedom and peace, faith and hope — the path through Jesus Christ to heaven!

If God is calling you to the Catholic Church, we hope you’ll have the courage to take the first step and contact us. You’re always welcome at St. Benedict Cathedral.

Our Sacred Purpose

at St. Benedict Cathedral is to become HOLY DISCIPLES, generous with God’s gifts for building the kingdom, on the path to heaven.  In the midst of a welcoming community in the Benedictine tradition, we embrace the teachings of our faith by celebrating Word and Sacrament as we grow in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

RSS Engage

  • Parish Mission is ON for tonight February 15, 2019
    Hello. The Parish Mission will go on as planned this evening, beginning at 6PM in the Woodward Center. Dinner is at 6:00. Talk at 6:30. We'll be leaving before 7:30.
  • A message from Fr. Godfrey February 14, 2019
    Video: bjy8c1zd04 An excerpt from POPE FRANCIS: REJOICE AND BE GLAD CHAPTER THREE: IN THE LIGHT OF THE MASTER GOING AGAINST THE FLOW 91. In living the Gospel, we cannot expect that everything will be easy, for the thirst for...

Visit us on Facebook

Contact Us

St. Benedict Cathedral
1328 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47714

(812) 425-3369
(812) 425-3378 Fax
cathedral@evdio.org

Parish Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00-11:30, 12:30 4:00
Friday 8:00-Noon

Also Visit

St. Benedict Cathedral School: Reaching Minds. Touching Hearts. Shaping Souls.

Catholic Diocese of Evansville:
The Catholic Diocese of Southwest Indiana

 

Saint Meinrad Archabbey:
A community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Monks

Sisters of
St. Benedict:

A community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Sisters in Ferdinand

 

The Message Online:
SW Indiana's Catholic Community Newsletter

Sycamore Education:
A communicaction tool for school families - More Details

Copyright 2019 Saint Benedict Cathedral, Evansville, Indiana • WordPress Hosting by Lieberman Technologies • Log in