RCIA Program
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Do you have a friend or neighbor who is interested in becoming Catholic?
It could be someone who was baptized Catholic, and would like to again
practice their faith, or someone who would like to simply learn more about the faith.

Are you searching for a faith community that integrates worship, fellowship and ministry?

Are you seeking baptism in a Christian Church?

Are you someone who has been baptized in another Christian Faith tradition,
but would like to explore the Catholic tradition?

Are you seeking information about your spouse’s or child’s Catholic Faith?

Are you an adult Catholic desiring the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist?

If you answered “yes” to any one of the above questions
then you are invited by the faith community of St. Bartholomew to join us for a period
of inquiry about the Catholic Faith. You may do so by contacting the parish office at 
799-5528 or by contacting  Laurel Grassin-Drake, 9 Wainwright Dr., Cape Elizabeth,
ME  04107  799-1533.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which people become
members of the Roman Catholic Church. 
There is a traditional structure that is flexible enough to meet the needs of the individual seeking
conversion while providing a strong foundation and understanding of the Catholic Faith.  The
tradition involves the following the period of Inquiry in which people search for answers to questions
regarding the Catholic Faith; the period of the Catechumenate which is designed for those who
believe in Jesus Christ and have expressed their desire to enter the Church; the period of
Enlightenment which is a time to continue to explore the Catholic Faith with a focus on prayer,
scripture and preparations to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.  Following are
some commonly asked questions about becoming Catholic that might help to clarify the RCIA process:

Will there be pressure on me to join the Church if I attend the inquiry classes?
No.  The purpose of the process is to provide you with the information and experience you need to
decide whether God is calling you to the Catholic way of life.  You are the only one who can make
that decision.

What if I just want to learn about the Catholic Church without joining?
We welcome people who just want to understand what being Catholic is all about.  It is not unusual
for people to seek a better understanding of the Catholic Faith in order to relate to their spouse,
children or others who are Catholic.

Does it take long?
The decision to become a Catholic Christian is a lifetime decision which affects the way we live our
whole lives.  It impacts our business decisions, our family life, our relationships.  And so it is worthy
of careful examination in order to be sure that this is the right choice.  The Christian life is an ever-
deepening relationship with the Risen Christ, present within us and in the community of believers. 
Like any relationship, it takes time and attention to develop and deepen.

Can I stop the process at any time if I don’t feel ready?
Yes.  Faith is a personal journey and only you can determine your relationship with God.
The community is here to help you understand where you are in that journey, but never to lead you
to an end that is not totally yours.

Prayer of Trust  -  by Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me. 
I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think
that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire
to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this you will lead
me by the right road though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for
you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.