The Rite of Christian Initiation

Adults

Adults who are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church are prepared through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

• Any adult not yet baptized and who wishes to become Catholic,
• any adult baptized in another Christian church who wishes to become Catholic,
• and any adult baptized in the Catholic Church, but not raised in the faith and who seeks complete Initiation (Confirmation, First Eucharist)

is invited to prepare for full initiation into the Church through this process.

Baptism of Children and Youth (Ages 7-18)

Preparation for Baptism for children and youth ages seven through eighteen is done with their families and parish sponsor families. They also participate in Christian Formation with their peers.

The process is designed for each individual, with group and family experiences. Initiation for these children and youth follows the principles of the adult initiation process rather than those for infant baptism. Contact the Director of Christian Formation for more information.

Baptism of Children

The Sacrament of Baptism celebrates the very essence of our Christian Faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It initiates one into the Body of Christ, the parish faith community. Since the parents’ decision to bring their children into the church entails the important responsibility of raising their children in the faith, St. Matthias has the following policy in place to insure that parents have an understanding of the commitment they are undertaking.

Baptism Policy

The Catholic parents of children to be baptized must be registered and practicing members of St. Matthias Parish. They should worship with the community on a regular basis. They should also exercise responsible stewardship of their time, talent and treasure in witness to Jesus Christ and service to our community.

The parent(s) are required to attend two sessions of preparation if this is a couple’s first child or if they have not attended sessions in the past three years. These sessions will be concerned with the rite itself and the role of the family in nurturing the Catholic faith and Catholic teachings on Baptism. Parents are encouraged to attend these sessions before the birth of their child.

The registration for baptism will be accepted and finalized when the above requirements have been met.

Baptisms are normally celebrated at any Mass (Saturday or Sunday) on the fourth weekend of the month and at 12:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month. This schedule may change due to calendar conflicts. Please call the Parish Office for the exact dates. 

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation usually is celebrated during the junior year of high school during the Easter season. Ninth and tenth graders are expected to participate in the parish Christian Formation program as a prerequisite for the immediate preparation during the eleventh grade.

Eleventh graders participate in monthly sessions to prepare for Confirmation. Sessions meet one Sunday night a month from 6:30-8:30, October through April. They do three service projects, work in a journal that they share with their sponsors, have a meeting with a member of the pastoral staff, and participate in an overnight retreat.

Youth who are older than eleventh grade or who have special needs are invited to participate in the process.

Adult Confirmation

This program for adults generally runs from September through April with sessions held twice a month. Any Catholic adult who has never been confirmed and would like to begin preparation for the sacrament to complete his/her initiation should call the parish office for more information. 

First Eucharist

First Eucharist is usually celebrated in the second grade. This preparation includes ongoing formation in the Christian Formation program or in St. Matthias School, who work in partnership with the home.

Because parents are the primary faith formers of their children, the immediate preparation is done in the family. Parents participate in three adult sessions designed to enrich their own faith and to help them work with their child at home. They receive a book to complete with their child. There is a Rite of Commitment during Mass to begin the process in January and a Saturday evening Family Workshop in spring. First Eucharist is celebrated at parish Masses on two weekends in late April/early May.

Children who are older than second grade or who have special needs are welcome to join the preparation. Appropriate materials will be used.