Mission Statement

"GO, make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out anything I have commanded you."

And with the support and prayers of godparents, sponsors, the entire parish community. Welcomes adults in the way of Jesus, as it on the Catholic faith and tradition. It offers a series of initiation stages and rites in the parish liturgical celebrations for learning, praying, personal change, and spiritual growth. The reception of the initiation sacraments offers a share in Christ's mission to transform the world into a kingdom of truth, grace, holiness, love, justice, and peace.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

• Is God calling you to follow Him?
• Are you seeking more significant meaning in your life?
• Are you experiencing restlessness?
• Are you interested in inquiring about the Catholic Church?
• Have you been baptized? But haven't you completed your Christian initiation through the reception of the sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist?
• Have you been distanced from the Catholic Church and are desirous of re-integrating yourself into the life of the Church?

Here at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, we have a process that enables people to explore a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith.

This process introduces our inquirers and candidates to Jesus and our Catholic teachings about God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We also explore the Catholic understanding of the Bible and become more familiar with Scripture, the Church, Sacraments, Commandments of God, Precepts of the Catholic Church, and Prayer.

We travel through all phases of our Catholic beliefs, traditions, rituals, and practices during the RCIA process.

Each person who chooses to become Catholic makes his or her faith journey with a godparent or sponsor. The godparent or sponsor has the opportunity to deepen his or her faith life as he or she shares experiences during this journey with the catechumen or candidate. The godparents or sponsors don't have "the answers" but instead have a living faith which they share with the catechumens and candidates in the process.

The RCIA journey begins with the Inquiry Period, and the Easter Vigil Celebration in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.

Whether you would like to become a Catholic or you know of someone who would like more information about the Catholic faith:

 Please call (626) 357-3010

History of RCIA

In the early Church, the need for vigilance in admitting new Christians arose during the age of persecution when Christians were tortured and persecuted because of their faith. Then the Church encouraged careful religious and moral training. 

In recent years the Church had discovered in its ancient tradition of Catechumenate a great treasure. The bishops assembled at the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council recognized it and, by decree, restored the Catechumenate. In 1972, the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship fulfilled the mandate of that decree with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults' promulgation. No longer would new members come into the Church merely through individual instruction or private convert classes. Instead, they would undertake the journey of conversion and faith during the community of the faithful.

In 1974 a "provisional" English translation of the new rite was approved by the American Bishops for use in the United States dioceses. The RCIA, as it soon came to be known, became mandatory in the dioceses of the United States of America on September 1, 1986, when the final rite was published.