The Diocese of Reno recognizes that Adult Faith Formation must be a priority in order for the faithful to continually mature as Catholic Christians and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our parishes continually strive to become more dynamic communities of faith, where adult members are immersed in lifelong catechesis and are convinced of their mission in building up the Kingdom of God.

 Adult Faith Formation is not a program; it is a process, an approach, a philosophy which evolves as the needs of our people evolve: 

• allows for growth in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer and study (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, 5)
• must be situated not at the periphery of the Church's educational mission, but at its center (OHWB, 42)
• leads to a living, explicit and fruitful faith (OHWB 49)

ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF FAITH FORMATION

The primary role of the Office of Faith Formation is to affirm the priority of adult catechesis and to provide leadership, workshops, personnel, services and resources to assist parishes in developing adult faith formation processes.

This office is enthusiastically committed to an ongoing, dynamic vision of Adult Faith Formation as well as supporting parish efforts to implement the mandates of our 2nd Diocesan Synod.

WE AFFIRM

• That the call to place adult faith formation at the center of the Church’s catechetical mission involves a necessary conversion and a paradigm shift from past priorities and commitments

• The central importance of the family in our adult faith formation efforts

• The connection between adult catechesis and the daily challenge to Catholics to engage in the advance of the mission of the Church

• To continue to support parishes as they strive to foster an environment which allows for adult faith formation to flourish

The RCIA is primarily intended for those who are unbaptized and with no or very little history with a church, and who prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

The RCIA is the inspiration and the structure of how a community ministers to someone who sets out on the path to adult initiation (and children of catechetical age) in the Catholic Church. This is a process of discovery and self-reflection, in which you explore the meaning of Christ in your life, and how that works with the Catholic Faith.

It is not to be so much an educational process, but one of transformation. There are four major periods in the initiation process, separated by various liturgical rituals, which express and celebrate what is occurring at each stage in the process. Click the button below for more detailed information.