We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.  —Apostles’ Creed

Non-baptized men and women wishing to become a Catholic go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults—the R.C.I.A. program.

It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the R.C.I.A. are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The R.C.I.A. process follows the ancient practice of the church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism.

The three sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist – closely combine to bring us, the faithful of Christ, to his full stature and to enable us to carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the Church and in the world.

If a person has been baptized in another Christian tradition, the initiation process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist or Holy Communion.

To learn more about the STVBS R.C.I.A. program, contact Deacon Tony Miller (amiller@syrdio.org).

Here are some links you may find of interest on the Catholic faith:

Catechism of the Catholic Faith

Syracuse Diocese – Being Catholic

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops