RCIA

Please note that you can still join the RCIA course for this year. Please contact the Parish Office for more information

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16

RCIA is the parish programme led by priests and parishioners that helps non-Catholic adults who would like to learn more about the Catholic faith, and also Catholics over the age of 18 who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults course begins on the 9th October at 7pm-8:30pm. For anyone who is interested in making this journey of faith Programme with the opportunity of being received into full-communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, please get in touch with the Parish Office and encourage them to come to the first session. For more information and planned dates for 2025 please see the website.

"The rite of Christian initiation is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully." (From the RCIA Introductory Materials.)

The Catholic faith has been continuously proclaimed for over 2000 years following the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles. The Church Jesus Christ founded still exists today and is the means established by Him to spread His message of love, reconciliation, and right living to every corner of the world. It exists in every country and as well as being a hospital for sinners and a school for saints is one of the world’s largest providers of healthcare and education. In a communion of love and obedience with the Pope in Rome, Catholics everywhere seek to worship Almighty God and follow His commandments through the teachings of the “body of Christ” on earth: the Catholic Church.

The group meets at St Augustine Church over the year between 7:30 and 9pm. (Except during November where they will be at New Hall School Barn starting at 7pm with the lecture from Fr Andrew beginning at 7:30pm) 

The 2025/26 Sessions are below:

SESSION 1                            9th October 2025    
Introductory Session

SESSION 2  (At New Hall The Barn 7pm)            6th November 2025    
What is distinctive about Matthews Gospel  1 (Jesus)

SESSION 3 (At New Hall The Barn 7pm)            13th November 2025    
What is distinctive about Matthews Gospel  2 (Bible)

SESSION 4 (At New Hall The Barn 7pm)            20th November 2025    
The Parable of the Labourers (Faith and surprises)        

SESSION 5 (At New Hall The Barn 7pm)            27th November 2025    
Matthew's interpretation of Easter Day (God)

SESSION 6                                                  4th  December 2025    
What is the Church and its role in our lives?

SESSION 7                         8th January 2026    
What is the meaning of Mass?
            
SESSION 8                          15th January 2026    
What what are the Sacraments and why do they matter?

SESSION 9                           22nd January 2026    
What is sin and forgiveness in Catholicism?    

SESSION 10                          29th January 2026    
What role does Prayer play in Catholic life?

SESSION 11                           5th February 2026
Who is Mary and what are the roles of the Saints?

SESSION 12                           12th February 2026    
What is the meaning of this life and what is the Catholic vision of the afterlife?

SESSION 13                            26th February 2026
What is a Catholic moral and ethical framework and how does the Church address social issues?

SESSION 14                            5th March 2026    
What is the meaning of vocation?

SESSION 15                            12th March 2026    
What is the community of the Church?

SESSION 16                            19th March 2026    
What is the Sacrament of reconciliation?

SESSION 17                            26th  March 2026    
What does Holy Week teach us about how to live?            

SESSION 18                            2nd April 2026    
Final questions and preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation        

The sacrament of confirmation will take place at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 4th Apr 2026.

You are always welcome to speak to any Priest about Catholicism, whether you are Catholic or just have questions you would like to explore further.