Frequently Asked Questions (RCIA)
At this time I have no intention of joining the Church but I do want to learn more about Catholicism. Is there a place for me in the RCIA process?
Yes! We all learn from one another and from our journey to know God better. Please join us for the next Intro to the Catholic Faith class and we can discuss what path may be best for your continued journey.
I know that I want to join the Catholic Church. Where do I begin?
We invite you to begin by attending one of our Intro to the Catholic Faith classes! If you cannot attend at this time, please set up an individual appointment with Joan Sheppard, our Director of Faith Formation, and we'll talk about options for you. Each individual’s journey is unique and the RCIA Team will assist you in utilizing the RCIA process at Good Shepherd so that your journey is fruitful and fulfilling.
Once I have decided to join the Catholic Church, why might it take 1-2 years? That seems like a long time.
The RCIA, like all aspects of our spiritual journey, works on God’s time and not ours. Just as each individual is unique, so each faith journey is unique as well and can’t be rushed. The time it will take to complete your initiation depends on many factors: any background you may have in Christianity in general or Catholicism in particular, any sacraments received, general knowledge levels, and how you feel as you progress through the process.
At this point, try not to worry about how long it will take. The goal in joining the Catholic Church is not to be baptized, although the Sacrament of Baptism is a priceless gift from our God. The goal is to grow in your love and awareness of God, to begin or build on your relationship with Jesus Christ, and to learn how the Catholic faith community lives out this call. Baptism is part of the journey but not a finish line to sprint towards. Joining the Church is a process of shaping our hearts, minds, and spirits so they look more like God's. This takes time and it is suggested that one wishing to join the Church experience at least one full liturgical year of the Catholic faith community. The rich exploration of faith is not a race, but a journey to be savored, reflected upon, and celebrated.
I was baptized, but not as a Catholic. I wish to join the Catholic Church. Am I still looking at 12+ months of preparation?
That depends on a variety of things. If you come to the Catholic faith community with a full experience of living the Christian life within the context of your previous faith community, you may be invited to study and understand the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism as well as obtain a clear understanding of the Catholic Sacraments. This may be sufficient preparation which builds upon your previous background. On the other hand, if you come to join the Catholic Church with limited faith experience or knowledge, you will be better served with a fuller and more extensive experience within the RCIA process. The journey IS the way to faith! Your individual journey is the highest priority and just like any other relationship, our relationship with our God takes energy, intention, and time. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized adults into the Catholic Church can occur outside of the Easter season. If you would like to discussion your situation in more detail, contact Joan Sheppard at the parish office.
I am not baptized and am getting married to a Catholic. I wanted to join the Church before our wedding. Is that possible?
Remember, the goal is not baptism or even joining the Church. The goal is learning and living within the context of the faith community, which allows us to fully live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ as celebrated in the Catholic Church. If your wedding is not yet scheduled, you are invited to talk over this timetable with a member of the RCIA Team or a priest. If your wedding is already scheduled within the next 12 months, you will most likely be invited to put the time and energy needed into preparing for and beginning your marriage. This is also a very important and wonderful part of your faith journey! Having said this, you may simultaneously be attending the Catechumenate sessions and preparing to join the Church, but racing to join the Church before your wedding does not respect you or the unique faith journey that God is creating just for you.
I was baptized as a Catholic but never received my first Eucharist nor was I confirmed. Where do I fit in?
You would be invited into the weekly Catechumenate sessions to prepare to complete your initiation into the Catholic faith community. You would be encouraged to journey in the Catechumenate for a full liturgical year. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized Catholics into full initiation can occur outside of the Easter season.
I am divorced and remarried. Is this an issue as far as the RCIA process is concerned?
Each situation is unique but these are important issues to understand and sort out. We will help you determine whether there are any obstacles for you at this time, and we'll work them out together. You are most welcome at Good Shepherd, and we encourage you to bring this up with an RCIA Team member or the pastor when you first inquire into the RCIA process.
I understand I need a sponsor?
Jesus taught his disciples the importance of community. It is meaningful that we walk this faith journey with companions. If you decide to join the Church or if you are a Catholic who wishes to complete your initiation, you will need a sponsor from the Catholic faith community and we will help you in the process of choosing one. A sponsor is a fully initiated Catholic who will serve as a companion, listener, and mentor. The sponsor will also help you to learn more about the parish and ways to live out the Catholic faith.
I was baptized as a Catholic but never received my first Eucharist nor was I confirmed. Where do I fit in?
We offer a 10 week series of classes throughout the year for baptized, catechized Catholics completing their Sacraments of Initiation. Contact Joan at j.sheppard@gs-cc.org for more information about the schedule of classes.
Yes! We all learn from one another and from our journey to know God better. Please join us for the next Intro to the Catholic Faith class and we can discuss what path may be best for your continued journey.
I know that I want to join the Catholic Church. Where do I begin?
We invite you to begin by attending one of our Intro to the Catholic Faith classes! If you cannot attend at this time, please set up an individual appointment with Joan Sheppard, our Director of Faith Formation, and we'll talk about options for you. Each individual’s journey is unique and the RCIA Team will assist you in utilizing the RCIA process at Good Shepherd so that your journey is fruitful and fulfilling.
Once I have decided to join the Catholic Church, why might it take 1-2 years? That seems like a long time.
The RCIA, like all aspects of our spiritual journey, works on God’s time and not ours. Just as each individual is unique, so each faith journey is unique as well and can’t be rushed. The time it will take to complete your initiation depends on many factors: any background you may have in Christianity in general or Catholicism in particular, any sacraments received, general knowledge levels, and how you feel as you progress through the process.
At this point, try not to worry about how long it will take. The goal in joining the Catholic Church is not to be baptized, although the Sacrament of Baptism is a priceless gift from our God. The goal is to grow in your love and awareness of God, to begin or build on your relationship with Jesus Christ, and to learn how the Catholic faith community lives out this call. Baptism is part of the journey but not a finish line to sprint towards. Joining the Church is a process of shaping our hearts, minds, and spirits so they look more like God's. This takes time and it is suggested that one wishing to join the Church experience at least one full liturgical year of the Catholic faith community. The rich exploration of faith is not a race, but a journey to be savored, reflected upon, and celebrated.
I was baptized, but not as a Catholic. I wish to join the Catholic Church. Am I still looking at 12+ months of preparation?
That depends on a variety of things. If you come to the Catholic faith community with a full experience of living the Christian life within the context of your previous faith community, you may be invited to study and understand the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism as well as obtain a clear understanding of the Catholic Sacraments. This may be sufficient preparation which builds upon your previous background. On the other hand, if you come to join the Catholic Church with limited faith experience or knowledge, you will be better served with a fuller and more extensive experience within the RCIA process. The journey IS the way to faith! Your individual journey is the highest priority and just like any other relationship, our relationship with our God takes energy, intention, and time. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized adults into the Catholic Church can occur outside of the Easter season. If you would like to discussion your situation in more detail, contact Joan Sheppard at the parish office.
I am not baptized and am getting married to a Catholic. I wanted to join the Church before our wedding. Is that possible?
Remember, the goal is not baptism or even joining the Church. The goal is learning and living within the context of the faith community, which allows us to fully live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ as celebrated in the Catholic Church. If your wedding is not yet scheduled, you are invited to talk over this timetable with a member of the RCIA Team or a priest. If your wedding is already scheduled within the next 12 months, you will most likely be invited to put the time and energy needed into preparing for and beginning your marriage. This is also a very important and wonderful part of your faith journey! Having said this, you may simultaneously be attending the Catechumenate sessions and preparing to join the Church, but racing to join the Church before your wedding does not respect you or the unique faith journey that God is creating just for you.
I was baptized as a Catholic but never received my first Eucharist nor was I confirmed. Where do I fit in?
You would be invited into the weekly Catechumenate sessions to prepare to complete your initiation into the Catholic faith community. You would be encouraged to journey in the Catechumenate for a full liturgical year. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized Catholics into full initiation can occur outside of the Easter season.
I am divorced and remarried. Is this an issue as far as the RCIA process is concerned?
Each situation is unique but these are important issues to understand and sort out. We will help you determine whether there are any obstacles for you at this time, and we'll work them out together. You are most welcome at Good Shepherd, and we encourage you to bring this up with an RCIA Team member or the pastor when you first inquire into the RCIA process.
I understand I need a sponsor?
Jesus taught his disciples the importance of community. It is meaningful that we walk this faith journey with companions. If you decide to join the Church or if you are a Catholic who wishes to complete your initiation, you will need a sponsor from the Catholic faith community and we will help you in the process of choosing one. A sponsor is a fully initiated Catholic who will serve as a companion, listener, and mentor. The sponsor will also help you to learn more about the parish and ways to live out the Catholic faith.
I was baptized as a Catholic but never received my first Eucharist nor was I confirmed. Where do I fit in?
We offer a 10 week series of classes throughout the year for baptized, catechized Catholics completing their Sacraments of Initiation. Contact Joan at j.sheppard@gs-cc.org for more information about the schedule of classes.