Ongoing Adult Education

Parishes welcome new members into the Catholic Church through a process of education, faith sharing, and rituals known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

This process includes several stages marked by prayer, study, and discussion. Included in the process are several Rites, which take place within the context of the Mass. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) describes the RCIA 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."  Contact Fr. Ren for more information! 

The RCIA process can be adapted to meet the specific needs of children and youth

Small groups gather to read and reflect on Scripture, sharing faith through conversation, along with exposure to the visual arts, music, and poetry. 

Contact a team member to learn more: Susan, skmbayard@gmail.com; Peggy, phiggins36@comcast.net; Janet, jsvitello@aol.com; and Debbie, gantzdb@gmail.com. 

Members meet monthly for a brown bag lunch and a short program, usually with a guest speaker, designed to be informative about faith, spirituality, and parish life. This group was suspended during COVID but is avaiable to be reorganized if there is interest!

Contact Janet Testa at jltesta06@gmail.com if you would like to lead or help reorganize Wednesday Lunch Groups!

This group is an in-person discussion of the Sunday scripture readings with Prof. Pheme Perkins, Joseph Professor of Catholic Spirituality at Boston College. No familiarity with the Bible beyond what you might hear in church on Sunday is required.  This group meets Tuesdays from 10-11 AM in St. Zepherin Parish Center. 

Contact: Prof. Perkins,  e-mail  perkinsp@bc.edu  or text: 774-270-1286.