Welcome to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Congratulations on taking the first step in developing your faith! In this note, you will find a list of guidelines and requirements for your journey through Our Lady of Good Council Church’s RCIA process. Please do not be overwhelmed by these requirements. Should you have any questions or concerns, we will be very happy to assist you.
 
 The following list of requirements is for those of you who are considering whether you would like to receive Sacraments in the Catholic Church. If you have already received all of your Sacraments and are here to learn more about your faith, you do not have to fill in a registration form.

 If you are here to learn more about the Catholic faith and are considering whether or not you would like to receive Sacraments, please fill out a registration form. Enrollment in the RCIA class is not a commitment to the Church. We will understand if you decide during any point of the RCIA process that you are not ready or willing to receive your Sacraments.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THOSE RECEIVING SACRAMENTS
*Please begin to work to obtain the following applicable documents immediately.
 
General information sheet (registration form): Is required.
[CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FORM]

Application packet:  [CLICK TO DOWNLOAD PACKET]
 
Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate is required only if you are to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church. In other words, if you are going to be baptized or if you were baptized in another faith and will now be received into the Roman Catholic Church.
 
Baptismal Certificate: A copy of your Baptismal certificate is required if you are baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and will be receiving further Sacraments. If you were baptized in another faith, we do ask you for a copy of that Church’s certificate or some other form of proof. If another form of proof is needed because your Baptismal certificate is impossible to obtain, please speak with an RCIA catechist.
 
1^st Communion Certificate: If you have already received your first Holy Eucharist within the Roman Catholic Church, we require a copy of this certificate if it is not already noted on your Baptismal Certificate (usually located on the back of the certificate).

 
Marriage License: A copy of your marriage license is required if applicable.
 
MANDATORY ATTENDANCE
 
RCIA Classes: The RCIA process normally takes two years to complete. However, here at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church our program has been designed to be completed within a shorter period of time. It is therefore vital that you attend every scheduled class. Classes are normally conducted at 7:00 PM each Tuesday (subject to holidays and other changes).  If you are not able to attend class due to illness or personal commitments, please call our office at 455-3012 and leave a message.
 
Sunday Masses: The RCIA participants attend the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass. A section at the front of the Church is reserved for the RCIA when in session. Attendance is required. Again, if you are not able to make it, please call our office at 455-3012 and leave a message.

People interested in joining the Catholic church usually do so through a process call Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Below is a brief description of the RCIA process.

What is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, is a series of classes that present an adult exploration of the Catholic faith. RCIA is a chance for people to learn the basics of what it means to be Catholic, to ask their questions, and to seek ways to more fully open their lives to Jesus Christ. RCIA is primarily for adults considering becoming Catholic and for Catholics who were never Confirmed. RCIA prepares men and women to make a conscious choice whether or not they want to receive the sacraments of initiation offered by the Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). At Our Lady of Good Counsel, we offer opportunities for others to join in this process. We do this in recognition that faith is a lifelong journey, and that many people who have been Catholic their entire lives are now ready to ask new questions as adults.

What if I’m not sure I want to become a Catholic or be Confirmed?
Not a problem! In fact, we’re assuming that this is the case. Our RCIA is structured in a way that invites you to make small commitments until you’re sure you want to proceed. The initial meetings are designed to answer some basic questions, and give you a feel for what the journey will be like. After the first few classes, we’ll explore the core Christian message while beginning to answer your questions. Around December, we invite you to begin to decide where you’d like this process to take you.

If I’m already a Confirmed Catholic, is RCIA right for me?
Many of us stopped learning about our Catholic faith after we received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our early teens. However most of us don’t really pursue our spiritual journey until much later in life. It’s not uncommon for us to realize as adults that want to know more about our faith, and answers to some of the more challenging questions we may have. RCIA is an opportunity for you to really explore your faith. It is also a chance to see your faith through the eyes of people exploring it for the first time. Together we help each other grow closer to Jesus Christ.

What is the time commitment for RCIA?
Usually meetings take place twice a week from early fall to a few weeks following Easter. Specific schedules are decided upon each year to suit the needs for the participants.

I still have questions. Who can I talk to?
Contact Deacon Jeff Calamayan at 808.455.3012