Become a Catholic
- Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)
- The process by which Adults become Catholic
- Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church?
- Are you not baptized but recognize a need for spirituality in your life?
- Are you baptized Catholic or baptized into another religion but never received any formal religious education?
- Are you married to a Catholic and attend Mass but just don't know what the next step is to become one of the Catholic faithful?
Maybe you have been looking for enrichment in your life in all the wrong places.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the place for you. Every year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior. "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-30.
For more information on becoming a Catholic, call your local parish and ask about the RCIA program. At St. Norbert, contact Chris Meyers (Dir. of Faith Formation) or call St. Norbert Parish Office 314-831-3874.
What Catholics Believe ~ Each Sunday we pray this Creed together as a community
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, (Gen 14:19) of all things visible and invisible. (Col 1:16) I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God, (Luke 1:35) born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father. (Heb 1:3) Through him all things were made. (John 1:2-3) For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: (John 3:13) and by the Holy Spirit he was incarnate of the virgin Mary, (Matt 1:18) and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, (John 19:16) he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Cor 15:3-4) He ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51) and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Col 3:1) He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim 4:1) and his kingdom will have no end. (Luke 1:33) I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, (Acts 2:17) who proceeds from the Father and the Son. (John 14:16) who with the Father and Son is adored and glorified. Who has spoken through the prophets. (1 Peter 1:10-11) I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. (Rom 12:5) I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38) and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. (Rom 6:5)
Amen
Why be Catholic?
The Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus Christ founded (Mt 16:18-19) as Fr. Mike Schmitz explains below. This Church has a visible structure that started with the Apostles (Eph 2:20) who then were succeeded by the bishops (Acts 1:20, 25-26).
The Church of the New Testament is hierarchical (Eph 4:11) and has bishops, priests, and deacons (1 Tim 3:1, 8; 5:17; and Acts14:23), who were entrusted with the teaching of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:2). The Church has the authority to teach on behalf of Christ (Lk 10:16) because Jesus delegated this power to His Church (Mt 28:18-20), which also has the authority to legislate and discipline the faithful followers of Christ (Mt 18:17-18).
The Church is necessary to settle disagreements about what Jesus taught in order to preserve Christian Unity (Eph 4:3-6; 1 Cor 1:10; Jn 17:17-23; and Rom 12:5) and the truths that were revealed to us by Jesus Christ (1 Tim 3:15), which affects our salvation.
