Ministries - Religious Education

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

Coordinator: Grace Fernandez | 951-689-1131 | Email | Registration Form

  • A faith journey where you build a personal relationship with Jesus.
  • You are guided and supported during your journey by the RCIA/RCIA-AC Team, your Sponsor and the faith community.
  • You will become familiar with the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

RCIA/RCIA-AC is only the beginning of your faith journey, not the end.

It IS NOT:

  • A series of classes
  • A program
  • Something you will ever graduate from or complete.

Adult R.C.I.A and Confirmation Registration Requirements

  1. Register online for adult confirmation sessions
  2. Is St. Thomas your home parish? If yes, are you a registered parishioner of St. Thomas? If you are not registered you need to register before you begin your confirmation process.
  3. If St. Thomas is not your home parish. You will need to provide a letter from your home parish stating you are an active member and that you have permission to attend the confirmation process here at St. Thomas the Apostle.
  4. Provide the following sacramental certificates; Baptism, first Holy Communion and if married certificate of Holy Matrimony.
  5. Chose a Confirmation sponsor and have them sign the sponsor agreement form.
  6. Once you have steps 1-5 completed contact the Confirmation Coordinator to set up your initial journey meeting.

Requisitos de registro Para Adultos de RICA o Confirmación

  1. Regístrese en línea para las sesiones de RICA o Confirmación para adultos
  2. ¿Es Santo Tomás el apóstol su parroquia? Si es así, ¿es usted un feligrés registrado de St. Thomas? Si no está registrado, debe registrarse antes de comenzar su proceso de confirmación.
  3. Si Santo Tomás el apóstol no es su parroquia. Deberá proporcionar una carta de su parroquia que indique que es un miembro activo y que tiene permiso para asistir al proceso de confirmación aquí en Santo Tomás el apóstol.
  4. Proporcione los siguientes certificados sacramentales; Bautismo, primera comunión y si está casado certificado de matrimonio.
  5. Elija un padrino para su Confirmación y pídale que firme el formulario de acuerdo del padrino.
  6. Una vez que haya completado los pasos 1 a 5, comuníquese con el Coordinador de Confirmación para programar su reunión de viaje inicial.
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Riverside, CA
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Riverside, CA

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - Adapted for Children (RCIA-AC)

RCIA-AC is for children who are not baptized Catholic and are 7 years old or older.(you will be asked on the registration form if your child was baptized under a different faith).

Parents rest assured that we are not here to ask why your child was not baptized as an infant nor to pass judgment.

RCIA-AC is a journey where we partner with you to prepare your child to receive Jesus and become full members of the Catholic faith community through the sacraments of Baptism, 1st Holy Communion, and Confirmation.

You are your child’s first and MOST valuable catechist (teacher of the principles of the Catholic Faith). Since this is a partnership, parents are required to take an active role by attending weekly sessions with their children.

We recognize that each child is an individual and on a very personal faith journey. Therefore, each child, along with their family, is interviewed by a member(s) of the RCIA Team to determine their readiness. Based on this readiness, we work with parents to determine the estimated time it will take for your child/children to receive the sacraments of Baptism, 1st Holy Communion, and Confirmation. The average is 1-2 years. (We are a kid friendly office, so please feel free to bring your little ones.)

All 3 sacraments are received at one time during one single Mass. Yes, your child will be confirmed at the same time that they are baptized. Depending on the number of children receiving sacraments in a given year, the day and time of this Mass will change from year to year. It is traditionally done at the Easter Vigil but not always.