"Teach all that the See of St. Peter, the Holy Church of Rome, is the foundation, center, and instrument of unity."
-Bl. John Henry Newman
“We also believe, and so we also speak…”
-2 Corinthians 4:13
Below are a few testimonials from some of our brothers and sisters that have experienced RCIA at St. Rita!
We hope that you can take part in the "life, love and truth" that are part of being a Catholic Christian. Our goal is to provide you with companionship, understanding, truth, mercy, and love all in the name of Christ. Through RCIA, the community of St. Rita has journeyed with countless men and women who have explored and joined the Catholic Church.
Read Some Testimonials!
"I always wanted to be a Catholic. As a child, I was drawn to Jesus and the Virgin Mary despite my purely secular upbringing. My grandfather, Dr. John F. Walvoord, wrote over 50 books on theology and helped to build the Dallas Theological Seminary. Although my grandfather spoke in churches all over the world, I can count on one hand the number of times I saw him preach. My family went out of town for Easter and we never attended church, not even on Christmas. In grade school, a friend asked if I was Jewish or Christian and I replied, "My name’s Currin." It was about that time that I realized I was missing something. In 2nd grade, my friend Hogan Johnson baptized me in the washroom sink. I asked my parents to join the Presbyterian Church so I could participate in Sunday school and Young Life. But I still felt something was missing. No matter how much I prayed and read and tried to form my own faith, I always fell short. In college, my spirit grew hopeless, like I was far away from God and somehow separated from His love. When I found my husband, we attended Mass at St. Rita and I felt as if the Church was speaking to me. The birth of our child was such an amazing gift that I began to fear my distance from God even more. I was afraid our son would grow up like I did, struggling to define his own faith without a community to call his own. The Eucharist intrigued me right away and I began to wonder if Communion was what I had been missing, both as the Body and Blood of Christ and as a gift of acceptance from the Church. Through my Catholic Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, and my commitment to worship, I am now growing in my faith and my closeness to God, which is the greatest gift my family and I could ever hope to receive from RCIA. Turns out I wasn’t so far from God’s love after all. Thank you RCIA, for welcoming me with such kindness and open arms."
–Currin, RCIA Class of 2014
"To me, this was a homecoming. I was raised Methodist, but at the age of 14 was sent to a Catholic boarding school near Searcy, Arkansas. The Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis, showed me the difference between professing one's faith and living it. After years of no church, we joined the Episcopal Church and attended regularly for several years. About 8 years ago, we became high church Anglo-Catholics and attended regularly. I thought RCIA would be a waste of my time, as I already considered myself a Catholic. I was so very wrong. RCIA was for me a very instructional and spiritual experience. I come to the Mother Church with great joy. I feel like I am at home at last."
-Ken, RCIA Class of 2013
"For me, it was all about timing. I had spoken with my boyfriend (a cradle Catholic) about the faith and expressed interest in joining him in the Church. When the time was right, I found St. Rita's RCIA! (all on my own) It was a God-send! (literally!) The people I met, the experiences I had, and the lessons I learned all seemed to fit. I looked forward to "school" every single week and was fascinated how many people were on my same path! I had always tried to change something about myself because I was not happy with who I was nor who I had become. I changed my hair color, where I lived, the friends I had, even my clothes. As the time grew closer for my first confession and I became emersed in the faith, I realized...I didnt need to change any of those things, I just needed to believe and be part of something bigger than me. RCIA has given me that experience! For the first time, I let go of who I was and became the young woman I was meant to be. My boyfriend and I now experience Mass together and are able to share and talk about things on a deeper level (and I can understand it)! Joining the Catholic faith couldn't have come at a better time, and RCIA at St. Rita couldn't have been a better decision!"
-Joanna, RCIA Class of 2012
"Kind, loving people greeted me at every RCIA meeting; people who walk the walk, gladly giving of themselves to Mother Church while managing to help carry another generation of Christians through the perils and pitfalls of the world. I grew smaller as I got to know them, and they grew bigger in my eyes as I realized they are heroes serving the Lamb of God. The teaching of the Catechism was world class, sincere, personal, and engaging. I am so grateful that I was led to St. Rita's RCIA, and I am humbled to be in the presence of so many selfless servants of Christ Jesus. Thank you Blessed Mother for leading me to St. Rita's, which is a beating heart of the Blessed Catholic Community giving Christ's Truth to the world."
-Glenn, RCIA Class of 2011
"My experience was so wonderful. I loved the friendliness and openness of everyone. Everyone was so friendly and willing to welcome us into the church. Especially on the night of the Easter Vigil. People came up to us we didn't know and welcomed us…When I became a mother, I wanted to make sure that my children knew God. I wanted them to grow up knowing God just as I did as a child. I had to find a place to be and a place to worship with my family. I have found that here at St. Rita's. They say children are a blessing (and they truly are), but they have also led me to worship here at St Rita's...and that truly is a blessing! Thank you!"
-Erika, RCIA Class of 2010
"My journey through the RCIA program was a wonderful experience. Each week, I looked forward to our RCIA meeting. The presentations by our team leaders and the group discussions gave me a new perspective on my spirituality and how I should handle the challenges of daily life. Attending Mass at Easter Vigil was an especially emotional moment for me. While the reception of the Sacraments made me feel I had reached the end of a long journey, I soon realized that it only marked the beginning of a new life of spiritual growth and awareness. For anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or perhaps converting to Catholicism, I highly recommend Saint Rita's RCIA program."
-Bill, RCIA Class of 2010
"After the Easter Vigil, Sister Stephania said to me, “Welcome home!” It was at that moment I felt clearly that for many years I had been renting a room in God’s house but that it was through coming fully into the Church that I have finally bought the house! I just love my neighbors and have truly felt the embrace of God’s love through my RCIA family and fellow St. Rita parishioners."
-Madeline, RCIA Class of 2010
“After the birth of my daughter, whose father is a devout Catholic and member of St. Rita, I decided to attend RCIA. I wanted to raise her in one church, and I also want her to attend a faith-based school. I was previously Methodist. When I started RCIA, I was open-minded but had many questions about some of the “rules” of the Catholic Church. Not only were all my questions fully answered, but I found I was able to understand and embrace the reasoning for the traditions and beliefs. Going through RCIA at St. Rita was educational, enlightening, and a truly meaningful experience. I’m now very proud to be Catholic and very pleased to be raising my daughter in the St. Rita community.”
-Kris, RCIA Class of 2010
“Entering from the Episcopal Church, I expected confirmation in Catholic faith an administrative experience: I did not expect the spiritual experience—and not one that would continue to grow and expand to this day. RCIA continues to be an integral part of my faith journey.”
-Nick, RCIA Class of 2002