If you are seeking God’s chosen path for yourself, or helping a friend or family member discern their path, and wonder if that path is leading to the Catholic Faith, we invite you, your friend or family member to participate in a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Simply inquiring about the Catholic Church does not obligate you to become a member. Before any formal process begins, there is a time of Inquiry during which your questions are answered and the basic teachings of the Catholic Faith are explained. There is also the opportunity to speak with persons who have journeyed through the RCIA process.
RCIA is a process of Faith development and catechetical instruction in which adults and children of catechetical age enter into full membership with the Roman Catholic Church community. This gradual process, endorsed by the ancient practice of the Church, is suited to the spiritual journey of adults. It depends on God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individual, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place.
The process of initiation moves through four stages: the periods of pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. Each stage is punctuated with liturgical rites marking a person’s passage through the process.
In the early church, the initiation process applied only to unbaptized persons. Although a clear distinction must always be made between the baptized and the unbaptized, the Rite of today is intended not only for the unbaptized, but also for persons baptized in other Christian traditions and for persons baptized Catholic who never received the other initiation sacraments. Unbaptized Catechumens and baptized Candidates most often travel together through the periods and rites of the initiation process.
RCIA Questions and Answers - Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Catholic Church and RCIA.
Recommended Reading - two books that are highly recommended for those who are beginning their RCIA experience.
Instructional Materials - An overview of the books we will use as we study the Catholic Church and its teachings.
Forms, Downloads, and Websites of Interest - Lots of helpful information.
RCIA Sponsor Informations - Have you been asked to be a sponsor, or would you like to volunteer to be a sphonsor?
2022 - 2023 Participant Information (Password Required)
Photo Gallery - Photo albums from RCIA classes and events from the past few years.
Bernard M. "Butch" Feldhaus was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee on June 11, 2016 ,at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, TN, by Bishop Richard Stika.
He began his journey to the diaconate at the close of a 35 year career with the Tennessee Valley Authority as an Electrical Engineer and Senior Manager in Emergency Prepardness.
Through the years, Deacon Butch served has the Church in many capacities, including Music Ministry, Litrugy, Youth Ministry, and as a Catechist.
Deacon Butch is married to his wife of 33 years, Mary Beth. He enjoys cave exploring, hiking, serving on the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue service, and traveling.