Brisbane RCIA numbers nearly double as 454 adults enter the Catholic Church
Brisbane RCIA numbers have nearly doubled compared with the previous year.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane is welcoming a near doubling of new Catholics as compared with the previous year.
A total of 454 adults, up from 241 last year, will be baptised and confirmed at Easter Masses across south-east Queensland this weekend.
Archbishop Mackinlay welcomes growing number of new Catholics
In his Easter message, Brisbane Archbishop Shane Mackinlay speaks about the growing number of people entering the Catholic Church.
“This response is a witness to the vitality of our parish communities and their effectiveness in proclaiming the Gospel and living out Jesus’ mission,” Archbishop Mackinlay says.
“The experience of liturgy, service and welcome in our parishes is attracting others to ‘come and see’, and is giving them an opportunity to hear God’s Word, to respond to his call, and to live as part of the Christian people.”
Why Brisbane RCIA numbers are growing
Archdiocese of Brisbane adult formation director Melissa Ledwich says for some people the call to join the Catholic Church comes from a personal prayer experience and for others it is a long journey of exploring different faiths.
For many others it is the influence of podcasts like Fr Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year and online evangelists like Bishop Robert Barron, Mrs Ledwich says.
“Something I’m learning more is that people on a spiritual journey often simply and quietly turn up for Sunday Mass to have a look around and ‘try it out’, to see what the experience is like,” she said.
What is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process through which adults explore the Catholic faith and prepare to become members of the Catholic Church. The journey includes learning about Catholic teaching, prayer, Scripture and the life of the Church, as well as opportunities to ask questions and discern whether they are called to enter the Church.
For those who decide to become Catholic, the journey reaches a significant moment at Easter, when catechumens are baptised and candidates are received into full communion with the Catholic Church. They are then confirmed and receive the Eucharist, completing their initiation into the Catholic community.
The increase in Brisbane RCIA numbers highlights the role of parishes in accompanying adults who are seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith and discover a place within the life of the Church.
RCIA communities helping people discover the Catholic faith
At Acacia Ridge parish, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) co-ordinator Deacon Hugo Silva said what many people were “searching for is ultimately the truth — not simply information, but the person of Christ and the fullness of truth found in His Church,”.
He said a number of the people in his parish’s RCIA program had taken the next steps after an experience of “belonging and community”.
This article was first published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane and has been adapted and republished to EWTN Australia.
