Curious about the Catholic faith? Interested in becoming Catholic? Want to come back to the Church? Need to receive the Sacraments of First Communion or Confirmation?

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil,  thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). 

If you are over the age of 18 and want to learn more about the life, beliefs, and teachings of the Catholic Church, please register for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program by calling  our office at 724-287-1759.

Here are terms you will encounter during the RCIA process:

CANDIDATE - is a person baptized in another Christian denomination who is now seeking to join the Catholic Church.

CATECHUMEN - an unbaptized person seeking to become Catholic.

RITE OF ELECTION - during the Lenten season, the catechumens are invited to a special service at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. They are greeted by Bishop David Zubik, and joined by catechumens from throughout the Diocese. This is a beautiful way for the catechumens to see the universality of the Church. As we know, Catholicism is much bigger than one parish or region.

SCRUTINIES - on three consecutive Sundays at the 10am Mass at St. Paul Church (All Saints Parish), the candidates and catechumens will be invited to enter the Sanctuary. Over these three weeks they will be presented with the Nicene Creed and Lord’s Prayer. This is our opportunity to see those seeking to join our parish, pray for them, and encourage them on the journey.

EASTER VIGIL - the evening before Easter Sunday, the Church celebrates the Easter Vigil. This is the most solemn, and longest, Mass of the year. During the Vigil, our candidates and catechumens will receive the sacraments and make their profession of faith.

FULL COMMUNION - in order to be a full member of the Catholic Church, a person needs to be baptized, confirmed, receive Holy Communion, and make a profession of faith. During the Easter Vigil, the sacraments received by our candidates and catechumens may vary depending upon their faith background. What is certain is by the end of Holy Saturday night, all will be new members of All Saints Parish!

Click here for this year's RCIA schedule.

Information: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults/