Joining The Catholic Church

Information for Individuals Interested in Becoming Catholic

Holy Angels Parish welcomes individuals or families who are interested in joining the Catholic faith community and anyone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.

For individuals who have never been baptized or catechized in the Christian faith, or for individuals who have been baptized in a Christian faith other than Catholic, the three Sandusky Catholic parishes provide the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult. This rite offers a combination of personal preparation and discernment in a small group format, combined with public liturgical ceremonies which celebrate an individual's gradual incorporation into the Catholic faith community.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is modeled on the initiation ritual of the ancient Christian community. It is an experience of personal formation and spiritual growth which incorporates prayer, study, reflection and discernment in a combination of public rituals and community experience. It is the principle way that the Catholic community welcomes and prepares new members.

The RCIA meets weekly, usually on Tuesday evenings, and may last nine months or longer. It generally concludes with a solemn public celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil in the local parish.

Participants in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults are assigned an individual sponsor, a member of the community who will accompany them on their journey through the initiation process.

Click here for more about the RCIA.

About Marriage and Initiation

According to Catholic teaching, an individual is not free to marry unless any previous marriage has been annulled. In most cases, this also applies to any previous marriage of a non-Catholic partner.

Individuals who have divorced and remarried may enter the RCIA process, but must have their previous marriage annulled and their second marriage validated before they celebrate initiation in the Catholic Church.

Individuals who have divorced but not remarried may enter the RCIA process and celebrate initiation in the Catholic Church. They must have their previous marriage annulled before entering a second marriage.

An "annulment" (or Declaration of Invalidity) by a church tribunal declares that a particular marriage did not meet the Church's criteria for a full, permanent sacramental marriage because one or both partners were unable to understand or unwilling to fulfill the requirements for such a marriage relationship. Click here for more information about an Annulment.

You should clarify your marital status with the pastoral staff before you begin participation in RCIA.

For more information, contact the Parish Office at (419) 625-3698.