Curious About Becoming Catholic?
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Who to contact
Deacon Scott Pearhill 208-410-8173 / dcnscott1@gmail.com
Thomas Smith tsmith@hscc.org. -
Video: A Story of Faith
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US Bishops on Christian initiation
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Christian Initiation (RCIA)
Holy Spirit Catholic Community welcomes you as you seek to enrich your faith life and explore the possibility of becoming a Catholic disciple of Jesus. Our Catholic Community shares and celebrates this journey with you through a process called The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Who is this for?- Seekers who are curious about Catholicism
- Adults never baptized who desire to become a Catholic.
- Adults already baptized in another Christian faith who now desire to become Catholic.
The Details… join any time.We meet most Sundays until the summer when our schedule reduces a little. Those who are prepared will receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil on April 3rd, 2021.
- There is no cost to participate. A Bible, Catechism, a participant binder and online learning resources will be provided.
- The first session is scheduled to begin in the St Anthony Room (upstairs in the Parish Life Center) on October 4th at 12:30pm following the 11:00 am Mass at St. Anthony’s Chapel.
- Each session will last approximately 1 ½ hours.
To setup an introductory meeting with staff before you begin, please contact the Parish Office 208-232-1196 or Deacon Scott Pearhill at 208-410-8173 / dcnscott1@gmail.com, or Thomas Smith at tsmith@hscc.org.
Common Questions:
What is the first step? It's easy! Contact Deacon Scott at 208-410-8173 or dcnscott1@gmail.com. Or, call the parish office at 208-232-1196 or email holyspirit@Holy Spirit Catholic Community.org. Or drop by and see us: 524 N 7th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201.
How long does it take? The Rite of Christian Initiation is not a program of exact timing. Its a gradual process of a spiritual journey and will be different for each individual. Let's meet so we can answer your questions more specifically.
What if I just have questions and am not wanting to join the Catholic Church at this time? The first stage is for asking questions without any commitment.
What if I was baptized in another church but now wish to be received into the Catholic Church? Our parish RCIA process is what you are looking for! Let's meet to discover what your process will look like.
What are the steps of Christian Initiation For Adults (RCIA)?
- Inquiry/Seeking For many the journey begins with seeking. A person considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. For some, this involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church. We call this first leg of the journey "Inquiry" or "Seeking".
- Learning and Growing: Catchumenate If a seeker desires to follow Jesus more closely in the Catholic Church, he or she becomes a "catechumen," an ancient term that means "learner". In this step, catechumens consider what God is saying to them in Scripture, what changes in life are needed to respond to God's call, and what being a disciple of Jesus means.
- Preparation for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist: Purification & Enlightenment Usually, the days of Lent are a period of intense preparation for receiving the sacraments of initiation, marked by prayer, study, retreat and spiritual direction. This step in the journey of faith is known as the period of "Purification and Enlightenment". Now the disciple of Jesus is called "Elect" and the parish community is called upon to pray for them as Easter draws near. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night when the Elect receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
- Unfolding the Mystery: Mystagogy The new Roman Catholic Christians continue their formation and education in a period of post-baptismal learning, called Mystagogy. The new members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn about sacred Scripture, Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition, they discern how they will serve Christ, helping the Church's mission and outreach.