Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Accompanying New Catholics on Their Journey into the Faith

There’s certainly a beauty to being raised in the Catholic Church and continuing to practice the faith into adulthood. But there’s also profound beauty in finding the Catholic faith as an adult and going through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, process. This April, several participants in our RCIA process will become fully initiated into the Catholic faith.

St. Timothy’s RCIA process is flexible, says Joseph Nieves-Serrano, Director of Faith Formation. Students meet all year, every Sunday after 9 a.m. Mass. There is a dedicated group of potential sponsors who step up to serve when needed, attending each class with the students.

“It starts with where they are and creates space for questions,” Joseph says. “When they are ready, they move to catechumenate, where we introduce them to the Mass, readings, and Bible study.”

Joseph has worked with the RCIA process at other parishes in the past. He’s continually impressed by the committed group at St. Timothy’s that supports this ministry. There are about 10 catechists, so RCIA students can be in separate groups based on where they are in the journey.

“This is a journey — that’s what I want them to know,” Joseph says. “It’s a process to become Catholic. There are different stages, and there is no rush to this.”

On Jan. 8, we celebrated the Rite of Welcoming alongside RCIA students who have already been baptized and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Please pray for them as they prepare to become fully-initiated Catholics.

Getting to Know Our RCIA Participants:

Jacalyn Sloop

Jacalyn Sloop recently enrolled in RCIA and says she has felt very welcome at St. Timothy’s.

“Attending Mass has provided much more peace to my soul than I ever imagined possible,” she says.

Jacalyn came to the faith while studying high-level math in college. She realized what she was learning could not have come together by coincidence.

Saleena Niehaus

Saleena Niehaus is excited to be going through RCIA. After watching along with her husband as their two daughters were baptized, she decided she wanted the same for herself. Saleena and her family have felt very at home here.

“Over the past several months, I have found the process informative, teaching the important lessons behind what makes the Catholic Church unique,” she says. “Everyone I have encountered within the program

has encouraged me to ask questions, and I never feel embarrassed for not knowing something.”

Nicole Suarez

Nicole Suarez was baptized Catholic in Colombia, but she was never confirmed. Nicole left a Mass this summer with feelings of relief, peace, anguish, and uncertainty.

Due to a desire to make the bad feelings go away, she enrolled in RCIA, and it’s made such an impact on her spiritual journey. She is committed to being confirmed in the Catholic faith.

“My ultimate goal is to one day walk up to the altar with my arms uncrossed, fully embracing my spirituality and my journey of faith,” she says.

Josh Funderburk

Josh Funderburk calls his RCIA journey “wonderful.” Attending classes has felt like coming home.

“I’ve never felt like an outsider,” he says. “No discussion has been off-limits, and all questions have been entertained. It has been a great introduction to the Christian faith through the lens of Catholicism and all of the sacraments and mysteries of the Catholic Church.”

RCIA is open to anyone — the baptized and non-baptized. If you were never confirmed, you are also welcome. Contact Joseph Nieves-Serrano at joseph.nievesserrano@sainttims.org or 813-961-1716, ext. 231 for more information.