Interested in finding out more about the Catholic Faith or are you considering becoming a Catholic? The Catholic Church welcomes new members of all ages. It is never too late to become Catholic and we welcome inquirers and candidates any time of the year.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly "RCIA") is the Catholic Church's process for teaching and initiating older children and adults who have not received the sacraments or grew up Protestant or "unchurched." It begins with simple "inquiry," where we present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite you to follow Christ in His Church. Then there is a formal preparation period culminating in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Meeting times are flexible to your schedule, though most meet for an hour on Sunday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish in Newburyport. We have a team of dedicated "catechists," or disciple-teachers, take inquirers and candidates through the Gospel message, the Creed (Doctrines/Beliefs), our Sacraments, the moral life and growing in prayer and discipleship.

We would love to hear from you and to help you on your faith journey. The Director of Lifelong Faith Formation, Aaron Giard, is available to meet or talk over the phone about this process. Please call 978-462-2724 x 405 OR email agiard@hriccatholic.org.

Here are some links that may help you on your faith journey:

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) page: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/christian-initiation-of-adults

Archdiocese of Boston website information page on becoming Catholic: https://bostoncatholic.org/why-be-catholic

Catholic answers on how to become Catholic: https://www.catholic.com/tract/how-to-become-a-catholic

Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) how to become Catholic: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/how-to-become-a-catholic-1036

Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) teachings of the Catholic Church: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings

Monthly magazine exploring faith and family living: https://www.catholicdigest.com/

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catechism of the Catholic Church: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church

The Vatican's Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Catholic Encyclopedia: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/