The Rite of Christian Initiation – R.C.I.A. – is primarily a journey of faith. It is a restoration of the ancient practice of initiation in the church. It is focused on conversion, whereby the candidates (individuals interested in becoming Roman Catholic) enter into an extended period of intellectual formation and life conversion through prayer, study and reflection upon the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. It is a communal journey in which the local church community welcomes the new members in the parish community. The RCIA is not a program but a sacramental process in which candidates are fully initiated into One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic faith. The program has begun at St. Joseph’s Hall on Thursday nights beginning at 6:30pm. These are joint sessions with St. Ann’s and St. Joseph’s parishes. All fallen away Catholics, non-Catholics and practicing Catholics who want to learn more about the Catholic faith are invited.

The K-8 Religious Education Program strives to catechize our children through sharing the basic elements of the Catholic faith and preparation for the reception of Sacraments. This is done in a classroom setting using a variety of teaching techniques. A student that is catechized throughout their elementary school years should finish 8th grade knowledgeable about the following areas: Traditions and history of the Catholic Church; key stories of Scripture; Catholic morality; Prayer; and the Sacramental life of the Catholic Church. All youth (K-12th grade) are required to be part of religious education. It is the obligation of parents to insure their child’s participation. On the day of a child’s baptism, each parent promised God and the Church they would bring the child up according to the law of Christ and His Church- This MUST be fulfilled.