Curious about Catholicism?

 We welcome you to explore the Catholic Faith,
the first, oldest and full expression of Christianity.

Let's get coffee

We'd love to chat with you, share facts about our community with you,
and answer your questions. 
See below.

What does the process of becoming catholic look like?
Our community is excited to share with you more about our 2,000 year old Catholic faith through a process called the
​Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. RCIA is rooted in ancient Christian history, which is designed to prepare adults to enter the Church. It seeks, however, to do more than simply give interested persons information. Catholicism is a way of life, and becoming Catholic is a journey in faith that involves entering into relationship with a worldwide community of God’s people. RCIA is for any adult who is interested in becoming a Catholic (no matter one's religious background, if any), and for any baptized adult Catholics who has not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or First Eucharist. 
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If you have a teen or a child who would also like to go through the process, 
please contact Marysa Alvarez for children 5th grade and under.
Please contact Fernando Cartagena, Director of Youth Ministry for 6th grade and older. ​​
 "The RCIA experience at Saint Clare was simply amazing. I had questions about Catholicism so I joined the class to learn more, and boy did I learn more! The classes had a great balance of history and academic knowledge coupled with deep theological thinking and inward reflection. It was a true heart and head changing experience. My two favorites were the weeks we spent dissecting the Mass and the retreat we did as a group delving into prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. What a great experience."
       - RCIA Participant 2017
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RCIA does not have a set timing. Rather, it is a spiritual journey which may be different for each person because of their background and life experiences.  RCIA is made up of a series of four periods along with a few formal public celebrations known as Rites.  

The RCIA process usually lasts about nine months and includes:
  1. Weekly sessions that include learning more of a certain aspect of the Catholic belief, prayer, and more.
  2. Three Sunday morning rites (during our Sunday Masses).
  3. A Saturday day retreat.
  4. Sacraments and reception into the Church, normally at Easter. 
  5. ​A period of continued discovery for the six weeks following Easter​.
The process toward becoming Catholic starts with the Alpha course in September which cover the most essential elements that all Christians believe.  We then continue in the RCIA into what we believe particularly as Catholics. Some topics in the RCIA include:
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  • Divinely Revealed: A God who Reveals Himself to Us in Scripture and Tradition. 
  • The Church: Why One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic? 
  • The Sound of Heaven: Saints, Angels and the Four Last Things
  • What About Mary? The Importance of the Blessed Virgin 
  • Sacramental Economics: Grace, Law and Justification
  • Heaven Kisses Earth: Liturgy and the Mass
  • Why Sacraments? Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist and their Role in the Initiation Process
  • Forgiven: The Reality of Sin and the Healing Power of Reconciliation
  • Anointed: Anointing of the Sick and the Value of Redemptive Suffering
  • Called to Serve: Holy Orders, Marriage and Discerning Your Vocation
  • Virtue: A Path to Greater Freedom (Theological and Cardinal Virtues)
  • The Dignity of the Human Person: The Basis of All Moral Teaching
  • God Likes Sex: A Theology of the Body
  • The Commandments
  • ​Catholic Social Teaching: Justice, Faith and Living in the World
  • Praying as a Catholic: Prayer Styles and Spiritualities​​ (Saturday retreat February 10th). 

"Catholicism is a way of life.
Becoming Catholic is a journey of faith that involves entering into relationship with a worldwide community of God's people.”

Get in touch

If you're interested in learning more, getting coffee with someone who has recently gone through RCIA or would like to talk with a staff member or our Pastor, please fill out the form below.