Do Right, Love Goodness, Walk Humbly with Your God. - Micah 6:8

RCIA

RCIA


For Adults (See testimonials below)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process established for the universal Church for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.  RCIA is for persons in need of Baptism, persons baptized in another Christian tradition who desire to become Catholic and persons baptized Catholic in need of First Communion and Confirmation.  The Rite speaks of conversion as a "spiritual journey."  Centered on fostering a deep relationship with Jesus and the Church he founded, this journey takes place through distinct stages over a period of time.

The initial inquiry period at Holy Family begins in September.  The first phase of the journey of initiation is a time for seekers to hear the mystery of Christ proclaimed.  The inquirers consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts.

If you or someone you know would like further information please contact Barbie Byrne, Pastoral Associate, at (330)688-6412 x 272 or via email at byrne@holyfamilystow.org.


For Children

You may already know that the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process through which adults enter the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.  But did you know that this process is not just for Adults?

It is also the process through which children who have reached the use of reason and are of catechetical age (7 years old and older) become Catholic. After a period of learning and spiritual growth, children become members of the Church at the Easter Vigil, receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  In addition, children ages 7 and older who have been baptized in another faith tradition (e.g. Lutheran, etc.) are also included in the RCIA for children process, making a Profession of Faith and receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Therefore, if you child is age 7 or older and has not been baptized, or was baptized in another faith and you would like him/her to become a member of the Catholic Church, please contact Barbie Byrne for information about the RCIA for Children.  If your child is younger than age 7, contact Barbie to arrange for Baptism or Profession of Faith.

Barbie Byrne, Pastoral Associate, (330)688-6412 x 272 or via email at byrne@holyfamilystow.org.


TESTIMONIALS

 “The heart is restless until it rests in THEE”-St. Augustine

This quote is perfect in that, after being raised in the absence of any religion and with a constant internal restlessness most of my life that I finally stepped into a Methodist Church in my 30’s.  Over several years of Bible study, leading Bible studies, speaking all over NE Ohio, launching a Women’s Ministry and challenged by 2 Cancers, my heart remained restless and while I was connecting dots, I still had MANY questions and I was anti Catholic, anti Mary, and anti Eucharist.

It was, however, after a year of questioning my sister(who converted to Catholicism) that I could no longer ignore the restlessness.  It was after a life altering visit to the Adoration Chapel that I listened to the prompting and met with Fr Klonowski and Barbie Byrne.   The RCIA journey began for me and my family, to which, like a rocket ship, launched us into the dedicated months of informative and transformative classes.  RCIA revealed the Truth that I no longer could deny regarding Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Mary, the Eucharist and all the Holy Sacraments.  RCIA provided answers to my and my family’s questions.  We Joyfully and with all our heart went to our first confession, heard the beautiful words “Welcome Home” and entered the Catholic Church On May 6th 2018 and it has been an amazing journey ever since!!! 

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I was raised in a strict Christian household where we attended a non-denominational religion.  My family always had a strong faith, however I did not fit in and was the rebellious type when it came to church and rules.  I thought the people at church were judgmental towards me as a teenager and I turned completely from God and faith when I became a legal adult and could leave home.  I started partying in college and went down a path sinking deeper into worldly ways and struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for many years.  I could feel God's pull at my heart strings and I knew there was a better way to live but I didn't know how to make it back, I figured myself a lost cause and wasn't sure God wanted a sinner like me.  After series of emotional and spiritual bottoms including legal troubles and divorce, I found my way into recovery in the rooms of A.A. and started to understand addiction as a disease and the cure was having a relationship with a higher power.  As I continued to define that journey I came back to a Christian understanding of God and wanted to have a relationship with Jesus.  I had known about God as a youth but never had a relationship.  I began exploring many churches around the area eventually found my way into RCIA here at Holy Family.  So many of my questions were answered regarding the Bible, Traditions, Saints and Sacraments of the Church.  I was able to question things without judgement and there was a structure to find conviction in my faith.  As Jesus states in Mark 2 vs 17 " Those who are well do not need a physician but the sick do, I did not come to call the righteous but the sinners." I found answers to this calling in RCIA and my Catholic Faith.  We all sin in some way and this program helped me find reconciliation within and take up my cross and follow Jesus in a new way of life.