St. Thomas the Apostle
Mass Schedule
Mon. - Sat. 8 AM
Saturday 5 PM
Sunday 8 & 11 AM
Holyday Masses
Day Before 5:30 PM
Holyday 8 AM
Confessions
Sat. 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Adoration Chapel
Mon. - Fri.
9 AM - 11 PM
Blessing of expectant mothers and families after Mass on the 1st Sunday of each month.
Irondequoit Catholic Community
Celebrating 100 years
Irondequoit Catholic Community Web Site
Clustered Worship Sites:
Individual Worship Sites:
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Are you interested in becoming a member of the Catholic Church? Do you know anyone who is?The Church wishes to welcome all adults interested in the Roman Catholic faith. For those who think that they might like to become Catholic, the church offers the "catechumenate" which is a formal title for the whole process of preparing adults for initiation into the church.
The purpose of the catechumenate is to foster or to deepen one's conversion to Christ and to assist the new Catholic in becoming an active member of the church. It is a process that involves teaching and the good news of scripture, prayer, spiritual formation and direct contact with members of the church. It also involves our existing Catholic Christian community actively in prayer and support, as we prepare to welcome and help these catechumens on our common journey of growing in God.
Also, the R.C.I.A. is the process where already baptized Catholics, who as children, did not complete the sacraments of initiation (First Communion, Confirmation) can complete their commitment to, and deepen their relationship with Christ.
The process usually begins in the early fall with weekly meetings. The conclusion is the formal entry into the church and reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
The RCIA Process
No matter where you are on your faith journey, there is a place for you at St. Thomas.
Frequently Asked Questions About RCIA
1 - At this time I have no intention of joining the Church but I do want to learn more about Catholicism. Is there a place for me in the RCIA process?
Yes, the Inquiry group is for you. These weekly sessions provide you an opportunity to ask your questions and share with others in a relaxed environment. We all learn from one another and from our journey to know God better. There is no expectation for one to proceed from the Inquiry group into preparing to join the Church in the Catechumenate unless one asks to do so.
2 - I know that I want to join the Catholic Church. Where do I begin?
This depends on you and where you are on your faith journey. If you are fairly new to Catholicism or have limited experience with the Christian faith, you may still find it helpful to being in the Inquiry group for a time before moving into the Catechumenate gathering. Each person's journey is unique and the RCIA Team will assist you in utilizing the RCIA process at St. Thomas so that your journey is fruitful and fulfilling.
3 - Once I have decided to join the Catholic Church, why might it take 1-2 years? That seems like a long time.
When someone comes forward with an interest in joining the Catholic Church, that interest is then to be joined with knowledge about the Church's traditions and teachings, as well as a sufficient experience of the Catholic faith community. Joining the Catholic Church is not about passing a test on Catholicism; rather it is about learning and living the Gospel of Jesus in the context of the parish and wider Catholic community. This takes time and it is suggested that one wishing to join the Church experience at least one full liturgical year of the Catholic faith community.
Adult baptisms are celebrated each year at the Easter Vigil (the Saturday night before Easter Sunday), which occurs each year in the Spring. If one comes to the parish in December with a desire to be baptized and to join the Church, the following Easter would only be approximately 4 months away. This is not sufficient time for someone to experience the fullness of the Catholic faith Church and community. This "December seeker" would be welcomed into the RCIA process, would journey with a fellow group of seekers each week, and would most likely be baptized and initiated into the Catholic Church approximately 16 months later. If one comes to the parish in the spring having made a decision to join the church, depending on the level of preparation needed, that person may be deemed ready to be initiated into the church at the following Easter, which would be approximately 12 months later.
The goal in joining the Catholic Church is not to be baptized, although the Sacrament of Baptism is a priceless gift from our God. The goal is to grow in your love and awareness of God, to begin or build on your relationship with Jesus Christ, and to learn how the Catholic faith community lives out this call. Baptism is part of the journey but not a finish line to sprint towards. Joining the Church is a process of shaping our hearts, minds, and spirits so they look more like God's. The rich exploration of faith is not a race, but a journey to be savored, reflected upon, and celebrated.
4 - I am not baptized and am getting married to a Catholic. I wanted to join the Church before our wedding. Is that possible?
Remember, the goal is not baptism or even joining the Church. The goal is learning and living within the context of the faith community, which allows us to fully live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ as celebrated in the Catholic Church. If your wedding is not yet scheduled, you are invited to talk over this timetable with a member of the RCIA Team or a priest. If your wedding is already scheduled within the next 12 months, you will most likely be invited to put the time and energy needed into preparing for and beginning your marriage. This is also a very important and wonderful part of your faith journey! Having said this, you may simultaneously be attending the Catechumente sessions and preparing to join the Church, but racing to join the Church before your wedding does not respect you nor the unique faith journey that God is creating just for you.
5 - I was baptized, but not as a Catholic. I wish to join the Catholic Church. Am I still looking at 12+ months of preparation?
That depends on a variety of things. If you come to the Catholic faith community with a full experience of living the Christian life within the context of your previous faith community, you may be invited to study and understand the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism as well as obtain a clear understanding of the Catholic Sacraments. This may be sufficient preparation which builds upon your previous adult faith formation. On the other hand, if you come to join the Catholic Church with limited faith experience or knowledge, you will be better served with a fuller and more extensive experience within the RCIA process. The journey IS the way to faith! Your individual journey is the highest priority and just like any other relationship, our relationship with our God takes energy, intention, and time. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized adults into the Catholic Church can occur outside of the Easter season.
6 - I was baptized as a Catholic but never received my first Eucharist nor been confirmed. Where do I fit in?
You would be invited into the weekly Catechumenate sessions and to prepare to complete your initiation into the Catholic faith community. You would be encouraged to journey in the Catechumenate for a full liturgical year. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized Catholics into full initiation can occur outside of the Easter season.
7 - I was baptized as a Catholic and received my first Eucharist. I was never confirmed. Do I jump into the RCIA process too?
Yes, those who are solely preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will also find the Catechumenate sessions to be an excellent way to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Adult Confirmations can also occur throughout the year. The RCIA Coordinator can give you additional information.
8 - I am divorced. Is this an issue as far as the RCIA process is concerned?
Each situation is unique but these are important issue to understand and sort out. You are encouraged to talk with an RCIA Team member or a priest about your unique situation when you first inquire into the RCIA process.
9 - I understand that I need a sponsor?
Jesus taught his disciples the importance of community. It is meaningful that we walk this faith journey with companions. If you decide to join the Church or if you are a Catholic who wishes to complete your initiation, you will need a sponsor from the Catholic faith community. Basically a sponsor is a fully initiated Catholic who will serve as a companion, listener, and mentor. The sponsor will also help you to learn more about the parish and ways to live out the Catholic faith. If you already have someone in mind that is not from St. Thomas, a co-sponsor may be assigned from the parish. Those in the Inquiry gathering may also request a sponsor to assist in their journey at St. Thomas even though they have not decided to join the Catholic Church. Baptismal candidates will have an opportunity to choose a Godparent(s) as baptism approaches.
10 - Is there any cost associated with RCIA?
None whatsoever.
11 - So where do I start?
Once you have read through all of the RCIA information provided here, If interested, contact the Parish Center 342-2323. May God bless you on your continued journey of faith. Know that you are a welcomed seeker at St. Thomas.
