RCIA Coordinator: Joan How
Email: martinhow@compuserve.com

For those adults who have not yet received the sacraments, the Church offers a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults which guides them towards the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).

RCIA is the means through which adults become full members of the Catholic Church. It restores the ancient sequence of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist as the interlinked sacraments of Initiation.

It provides the model upon which the sacramental preparation in the parish is based. It emphasises that conversion to Christ is an on-going process, that it takes place within a community of the faithful, and that it is marked by the celebration of liturgical rites.

Adults who are interested in becoming Catholics or asking for adult confirmation meet weekly with other members of the Parish Community to study and discuss areas of Catholic Belief and Practice, and to pray and to reflect on the Word of God together.

They celebrate the stages of their journey into the Church by public rites, culminating in their full reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

The RCIA group meets on Thursdays at 8.00 pm in the Parish Hall. We welcome those interested in becoming Catholics or wanting to know more about the Catholic faith, those willing to sponsor and support enquirers, and Catholics who want to learn more about their faith.

Couples must contact the Parish Priest in person, after Sunday Mass at least six months prior to the proposed wedding date (regulation of the Archdiocese of Westminster). This includes couples getting married at another church in this country or abroad.

Each month, one particular CTS booklet is suggested for parishioners to buy, read and pass on to family and friends. It is at a specially low price of just £1 for that month only, and is available to the left of the CTS stand, on the window sill. There is a brief summary of the leaflet each month in the newsletter. Contact the Parish Office for more information.