Signs of God's grace in our lives.

We recognize that the Sacraments have a visible and invisible reality, a reality open to all the human senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith.

The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot "see" is God's grace, His gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of His son.  His initiative is called grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in His life and shows us His favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

RCIA celebrates the reception of all or some of the Sacraments of Initiation

through one's deepened conversion to Christ, and so leads them into living

in full Communion with the Catholic Church.

• RCIA is for anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith.
• RCIA offers personal preparation and discernment in a small group format.
• RCIA meetings run from September to Holy Week in the Spring, meeting on Sunday mornings from 8:45 - 9:50am between Mass times in the Heritage Room at Immaculate Conception Church.

For adults wishing to be baptized:

Preparations will lead individuals through what's called the "catechumenate", a process of introduction to Christ and His Church, as well as the beginnings of a life-long walk with Christ, through prayer, scripture, and Sacrament.

For adult Christians wishing to become Catholic:

Preparations will lead candidates towards a deeper appreciation of the baptismal grace that we share, as well as open them to the richness of the Traditions of the Catholic Faith.

Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. In most cases, these individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although preparation may be with Catechumens (unbaptized Christians) preparing for baptism, the Candidates and Catechumens are usually received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

For more information contact RCIA Leader, Sue Davis, at (319) 830-2761.

For more information about RCIA click here.