The faith community of

Saint Joseph Catholic Church

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)

“Jesus said to his apostles, ‘God, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’” Matthew 28:19

Welcome to the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children! The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) program is the process for a child to become Catholic and prepares children for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist if they have not been brought into the Catholic faith by Catholic Baptism as infants. This program is for children between the ages of seven and seventeen.

The program’s goal is to help children understand the foundation and essential teachings of God and the Catholic Church through the Word of God (Bible), Church Traditions, the Sacraments, prayers, and other Church teachings. Through these classes, we hope to help them deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, who truly loves and cares for them. In addition, we hope to gradually prepare them to enter the worship assembly (Mass) with a profound understanding and great joy of being a part of the Body of Christ, the Church.

EXPECTATIONS: 

  1. Parents/ Child(ren) are required to attend, weekly, the 10:00 am Sunday Mass for the Liturgy of the Word. After the homily, the children are led, by their catechists, from the church to the classroom for their session which ends at 12:00 pm. Sessions begin in October, 2023 and conclude at Pentecost Sunday in May, 2024.
  2. Parents/ Child(ren) attend the First Reconciliation Retreat/ practice and First Reconciliation prayer service to receive the Sacrament.
  3. Parent/ Sponsor (or Proxy)/Child(ren) attend all the prayer services and Masses for the Rites before and during Lent, services/Masses during Holy Week leading to Easter, Rehearsal for Easter Vigil Mass, and Easter Vigil Mass to receive the Sacrament(s).
  4. Parents/ Child(ren) are encouraged to engage, come together, and participate in the Family of Faith Bonding Sundays, Community Outreach, and Activities to grow in relationship with St. Joseph Parish’s faith community.
  5. Child(ren) learn, recite, and demonstrate understanding of: The Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Grace before meals, Act of Contrition, Ten Commandments, Seven Sacraments, steps of going to Confession, Nicene Creed, and be familiar with the responses during Mass.
  6. A Sponsor is selected and must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic in good standing, and at least 18 years of age. He/ She may not be the candidate’s parents.