RCIA - Non-baptized 

Youth & Children

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Adapted for Children and Youth  

Youth who are not yet baptized or were baptized in a faith tradition that is not Catholic participate in a process of conversion called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (adapted for youth), also known as RCIA.

RCIA is for youth who are over the age of 7 (typically in 2nd grade) through age 17. Any child who is under 7 is baptized without going through RCIA.

RCIA prepares youth for initiation into the Catholic Church through a series of classes, rites, and liturgies culminating with the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist the night before Easter. Oftentimes, Confirmation is postponed if the child is not yet 14 at the time of Baptism and reception of the Eucharist.

RCIA classes are held on Sundays from 12:00 - 1:45 p.m.
 

RCIA Sponsor

A sponsor is someone who will journey with the youth as they grow in their Catholic faith into adulthood. The following are the requirements to serve as a sponsor:

• Sponsors must be practicing Catholic, fully initiated Catholics who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)

• Sponsors must be 16 years of age,

• Sponsors may be married or single. If married, the sponsor must be married in the Church, and if single the sponsor cannot be living with anyone outside of the sacrament of Marriage.

• A parent cannot serve as a youth's Confirmation sponsor.

A sponsor must fill out the following sponsor form: RCIA Sponsor Form.
 

Godparents

Each person going through RCIA selects a Godparent for Baptism and Confirmation. The criteria for selecting a Godparent are that the Godparent must be at least 16 years of age, someone other than the child's parent, a practicing Catholic who has already received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. If the person is married, they should be married in the Catholic Church. If the person is single, they cannot be living with someone outside of the sacrament of Marriage. The role of the Godparent is to accompany the child for all rites, special liturgies, Easter vigil, and beyond by serving as a Christian model and support for the person entering the Catholic faith.

For more information, please contact Maria Jones at: [email protected].