What is RCIA?:
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a restoration of an ancient process for incorporating unbaptized persons into Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The process was restored after the Second Vatican Council but did not become widely available in the United States until late in the 1980s. The local Catholic bishop determines how RCIA will be administered in the parishes under his care.

1. Please contact the parish office for registration details and information. 
   Sylvia Salinas 713-864-2653

2. Parish Office Walk-ins are welcome for more information Monday - Friday from
   8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
   215 E 10th st 
   Houston, TX 77008

or

3. Please fill out the RCIA form below..

Who needs to attend RCIA?:
People who have not received the sacrament of Baptism must attend RCIA for an extended period — generally, a year, however, the length of the process depends greatly on your readiness for the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

I’m already baptized in another denomination. Do I need to attend RCIA?:
That depends. The Catholic Church doesn’t re-baptize people who are already baptized. If you are baptized but never received any instruction in the faith, you should receive instruction now and finish any sacraments you didn’t complete. We strongly recommend RCIA, even if you have been well instructed in another faith tradition since you will need to learn how the beliefs and practices you grew up with differ from the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. If you are a baptized and confirmed Catholic returning to the practice of the faith, you should talk to the pastor of the parish about how to proceed. We recommend that Catholics who have been away from the Church for many years (say, 10 or more) go through RCIA for the instruction.

I think I was baptized, but am not sure. What kind of information do I need to join RCIA?
If your church or congregation kept records, you’ll need to obtain a copy of your baptismal record — a certificate or a letter from the pastor there. Because locating records can be difficult or time-consuming, you should try to obtain these records as early in the process as possible. We must see these records to confirm your baptismal status before you’re received into the Church.
If your church or congregation did not keep records or no longer exists, we can make other arrangements. Please contact a member of the All Saints parish staff.

I’ve been divorced but am not remarried. Can I become Catholic?
Certainly. Unless you plan to marry, you do not need to obtain an annulment.

I’ve been divorced and am remarried, and my spouse is divorced and remarried. Can I become Catholic?
You and your current spouse need to begin the annulment process, and you should begin it as soon as possible even if your spouse is not considering entry into the Church. Please contact the parish staff for information on how to proceed.  Of course, you can attend RCIA instructions while the annulment process is ongoing. But reception into the Church has to wait until the annulment process has been completed.

How long does RCIA last?
Inquiry sessions (also known as Pre-Catechumenate) take place all year long Inquiry is designed to help you decide whether you want to continue since RCIA is a serious commitment. The formal RCIA experience begins in September and runs through the weekend of Pentecost, five weeks following Easter. Unbaptized persons who have had no previous religious instruction are required to complete minimum catechetical cycle, participate in the Days of Reflection and Community Service projects. 

Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,  First Eucharist, and Confirmation) occurs at the Easter Vigil. If you have been baptized in another faith tradition you will not be re-baptized.

Please note that Baptism and reception into the Church occur at Easter, but RCIA does not end until Pentecost. The period immediately following reception in o the church at Easter is known as the Period of Mystagogy.

The Neophyte year is a “soak-in” period for new Catholics.  This is a time for you to consolidate what you have learned, and to explore more about life in the Catholic Church.

My schedule doesn’t permit me to attend your sessions. What should I do?
There are a couple of options. We may be able to arrange catechesis in a private setting with a qualified parishioner. Also, other parishes meet at different times, and you may prefer to attend RCIA one of them. We can provide information on when and where other parishes in the area offer instruction.

I heard I need a sponsor in order to become Catholic. What is that, and how do I get one?
A sponsor is a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church who accompanies you on your journey through RCIA. The sponsor has the job of helping you through the process, and of verifying at the main rites that you are ready to take the next step. For baptism, the sponsor is called a "godparent," with more serious responsibilities toward the catechumen being sponsored.

At All Saints, sponsors are expected to attend the sessions with the candidate they are sponsoring. If you know someone who meets these criteria, you can simply ask them to sponsor you. If you don’t know anyone, the parish will provide a sponsor for you.
 
I know who I want my sponsor to be, but that person doesn’t live locally and can’t attend sessions. Can that person still be my sponsor?
Yes. However, we will provide someone locally to represent that sponsor, accompany you on an ongoing basis and instructions and the rites with you. At the Easter Vigil, the sponsor you prefer will then stand in the local person’s place as your official sponsor.

I have children. Do you provide child care?
Unfortunately, no. If you need childcare, you should arrange your own.

What texts do you use and how do I get them?
We use the Scriptures and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  If you have a Bible of your own, please bring it. We would like you to own a Catholic edition of the Scripture, so we will provide it.  We provide other materials — a syllabus of subjects covered, handouts, and occasionally printed materials, as well. We also provide a notebook for you to put handouts into.