RCIA

When an adult wishes to become a full member in the Catholic Church, the procedure that we follow is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA. This process is broken into three major steps.

First is acceptance into the order of Catechumens. In this step, the individuals are taught the doctrine of the Catholic Faith in preparation for the reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. At St. Mary’s, we have RCIA classes on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.. The candidates are also dismissed from Mass after the Liturgy of the Word with their leader in order to discuss and pray over the readings for the next Sunday Liturgy.

Second is the Election. In this step, the candidates are presented before the bishop and are officially "enrolled" as ones to be received into the Church. Every first Sunday of Lent at 2:30 p.m. Catechumens come from all over the diocese to declare before the Church their intention to be received into the Church. Also at this time, the newly elected Catechumens undergo the scrutinies during the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent.

Third is the actual reception of the sacraments and welcome into full communion with the universal and local Church. At this stage, those welcomed into the Church are called Neophytes to indicate that they are "newly planted" into the Church.

St. Mary’s has a dedicated team of catechists who walk with the Catechumens through the whole journey until they are fully received by the Church community. Sr. Mary Teresa LaBrake, GNSH, Pastoral Associate leads the team. If interested in attending or helping the team, please call the Cathedral rectory at 393-3930.

Directions and Mass Schedule

Mass Attire

THE ORDER OF MASS

At Mass, we are given the Body and Blood of Christ to eat and drink - this strengthens our soul with abundant heavenly grace.  We believe that we are taking into our bodies the very God who created and saved us!

Through volunteering at church, we are given the opportunity to put into action what Christ asks of us - feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, and bury the dead.  There are a variety of ways St. Mary's Cathedral fosters these mandates.  To see the various ministries you can be involved in, check out some of the links below.

If you are a Catholic already and wish to come back to church, the first thing to do would be to contact the rectory by email, or call and ask to speak to a priest.  You could also attend the Come Home program sponsored by the Diocese of Ogdensburg.  Never forget, the Church is here to care for your spiritual needs.  Please do not be afraid to get the process of coming back to church started.

If you are not Catholic and wish to become a full member of the Catholic Church, the primary way is to join the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).  Sr. Mary Teresa LaBrake, GNSH, leads the group on Tuesday evenings at 7:00.  If you are interested in learning more about the process or enrolling for the next offered program, contact us by email, or call the rectory at 315-393-3930.

We look forward to helping you in any way possible with your journey to the Catholic Church.  Know that our prayers are continually with you!

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