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Becoming Catholic

The Church is communio; she is God’s communing with men in Christ and hence the communing of men with one another.

~ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ~

Children and Youth

Christian Initiation for Children and Youth

Weekly catechetical classes in a sharing atmosphere that teach the Catholic faith to any child who wants to become Catholic and who has not gone through the traditional catechetical program. It is also for baptized Catholics who are beyond grade six who have only been baptized and wish to celebrate First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.

The length of preparation is approximately one year and the Easter Vigil is generally the time for  Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  Those baptized in another Christian denomination can also be received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

Catechetical sessions for children (2nd-6th grade) are held during regular RE class times.

RE Class times: Sunday 10:00am or Tuesday 4:30, or Tuesday 6:00 pm or Wednesday 4:30 pm.
Catechetical sessions for teens (7th-12th grade) are held Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 pm in Durrie Hall.

If you have more questions or want to sign up, contact the Family Life Ministry office at 303.420.1232 ext 204.

Learn More

Becoming Catholic is one of life’s most profound and joyous experiences. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are infants, and, over time, they recognize the enormous grace that has been bestowed on them. Others enter the Catholic fold when they are older children or adults. This tract examines the joyful process by which one becomes a Catholic.

A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Communion—but the process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms.

A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One’s initiation is deepened by Confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism. This is true for children who are baptized Catholic (and receive the other two sacraments later) and for adults who are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the same time.

Those who have been validly baptized outside the Church become Catholics by making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by confirmation and the Eucharist.

Before a person is ready to be received into the Church, whether by Baptism or by profession of faith, preparation is necessary. The amount and form of this preparation depends on the individual’s circumstance. The most basic division in the kind of preparation needed is between those who are unbaptized and those who have already become Christian through baptism in another church.

For children who have reached the age of reason (age seven), entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) or Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT).

From time to time it’s important to remind ourselves of the basic questions at the heart of our faith. Whether you’re a longtime Catholic or someone looking to learn more about the Catholic faith, we think you will find the quick videos below informative and inspiring.

Who Is Jesus?
What is the Catholic Church?

Questions About RCIA?


Family Life Ministry Office