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  • 150th Events
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    • About Us
    • Bulletin
    • Homilies
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    • Becoming Catholic
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    • School of Religion
    • Mission & Vision
    • Calendar
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    • Father Lucky Book
    • Spirit of Nativity Book
    • FORMED
  • Worship
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Holy Hour for Priests and the Parish
    • Novenas
    • Fatima Mass and Celebration
    • Holy Hour / Happy Hour
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Eucharist
    • Confirmation
    • Penance (Reconciliation)
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Marriage
    • Holy Orders
  • Ministries
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Faith Formation Classes
    • Nativity Adopt-a-Family
    • Thursday Group
    • Men's Prayer Group
    • Visiting the Homebound
    • Respect Life Committee
    • Altar Society
    • Legion of Mary
    • Extraordinary Ministers & Lectors
    • Altar Servers
    • Holy Hour / Happy Hour
  • Community
    • St. Vincent de Paul Society
    • Nativity Mixer
    • Nativity Men's Club
    • Italian Catholic Federation
    • Mid-Peninsula Catholic Moms
    • Vallombrosa Center
    • St. Patrick Seminary
    • St. Francis Center
    • St. Anthony Dining Hall
    • Archdiocese of San Francisco
    • Catholic Charities
    • San Mateo Pro Life
    • Western Association for the Order of Malta
    • EWTN
    • USCCB
  • What Catholics Believe
    • Our Faith
    • Being Catholic Today
    • Welcome Newcomers
    • Returning Catholics
    • What Is the Catholic Church?
    • We are the Church
    • What Do Catholics Believe? >
      • Catholic Essentials
      • Papacy & Christian unity
      • Scripture
      • Saints
      • Mary
      • Prayer
      • Liturgical Calendar
  • Nativity School
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    • Staff
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  • Online Resources-Prayer and Worship
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What is RCIA?

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
To find out more about the Church of the Nativity RCIA program, 
 2022-2023 brochure 
Adults interested in Catholicism are invited to attend the 2022-2023 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  We will have an introductory meeting on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m. (after the 11:30 a.m. Mass) in the O'Hare Center.  We will then decide as a class what day and time we actually want to meet from then on.

RCIA is a faith formation series for adults who have never been baptized or were baptized in another faith and are now considering becoming Catholic.  It is also for Catholic adults who never received First Communion and Confirmation.  We also welcome those who have been away from the faith and who wish to return.

We will meet weekly for study, prayer and discussion in preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 8, 2023.

We will accept new participants throughout September and October.  Nativity RCIA is in a period of reorganization, and our classes may vary in time and place.  Please contact Charlotte Pace at 650-799-9164, charmenlo@outlook.com or the rectory office at 650-323-7914.  We will need your email address to keep you informed of any changes. We look forward to welcoming you.

(Catholic adults who need Confirmation only are prepared by the archdiocese in a separate program. Please contact Charlotte for more info.)

RCIA Class Materials  2022-2023          Updated:  Jan. 19, 2023

  • Oct. 9:  The Mass Introduction ~ The Source and Summit of our Faith by Cameron Song Sellers (PDF 1.62MB)
  • Oct. 30, Homily:  Reaching the Turning Point in Our Lives, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 206kb) 
  • Oct. 30, Ch. 3-4:  On the Obedience of Faith, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 513kb)
  • Nov. 13, Ch. 6:  Man and Woman Before the Fall and After, by Aidan Cameron-Smith (PDF 1.72mb)
  • ​Nov. 13, Ch. 7:  The Good News God Has Sent His Son, by Aidan Cameron-Smith (PDF 414kb)
  • Nov. 20, Ch. 8:  Understanding the Paschal Mystery, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 6mb)
  • Dec. 4, Ch. 9:  Understanding the Power of the Holy Spirit, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 371kb)
  • Jan. 8, Ch. 12:  Why we honor Mary, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 400kb)
  • Jan. 15, Ch. 14:  Paschal Mystery, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 532kb)
  • Jan. 15, Ch. 17:  On the Holy Eucharist, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 536kb)
  • A Year's Journey (PDF 163kb)
  • Registration Form 2022-2023 (PDF 270kb)
  • Role of Sponsors 2022-2023 (PDF 282kb)
  • RCIA Detailed Schedule - Update (PDF 451kb) Updated 01/17/2023
  • Scripture Recommendations (PDF 339kb)
  • Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming (PDF 615kb)​​
  • Links to Resources for RCIA Participants (PDF 53kb)​​ 
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."

Likewise, the language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.

All are Welcome!
RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

RCIA is a Journey
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

Pre-Catechumenate
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.

Rite of Acceptance
The first Rite in the RCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance accepts new members into the worshipping community.

Catechumenate
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.

Rite of Election
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.

Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the RCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.

RCIA Team
People journeying through the RCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The RCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA, is a communal process
for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church.
This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church
​in the first and second centuries.

Contact Information

Charlotte Pace
650-799-9164
Email me
Or contact the Rectory office:
650-323-7914
email office

Request Information about Joining

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Contact Us 

Office hours:  ​Mon-Fri  9:00am-4:00pm
Phone:  650-323-7914
Fax:  650-323-3231

210 Oak Grove Avenue
Menlo Park, CA  94025

Email: ​nativityparish@sbcglobal.net
​
​Directions

Livestreamed Masses
YouTube Church of the Nativity Channel



Join Us for Mass
Schedule:

Weekday Daily Mass:
Mon-Fri:  7:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Saturday:  8:00 a.m.

Holiday observance:  9:00 a.m. 
(One Mass Only)

​Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday:   (8:00 a.m. Livestreamed), 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Holy Days:  7:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.                                   & 7:00 p.m.
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