RCIA
To all interested in becoming Catholic.
This years programme begins with an introductory session on Wednesday 7th of October at 7pm in Our Lady Immaculate Parish Hall. Come and meet the catechists and find out more about this years programme.
Whether you are seeking Baptism, looking to enter into full communion with the Church, or simply wishing to deepen your spiritual journey and knowledge about Catholicism, you are most welcome.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16
25th September 2026
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your families are well.
I am very pleased to invite you to take part in our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme for 2026–2027.
RCIA is a journey for adults who would like to discover more about the Catholic faith, whether you are not yet Catholic, are simply curious about the Church and its teachings, or are a Catholic over the age of 18 who has not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Perhaps you have been thinking about becoming Catholic for some time, or perhaps someone has simply planted a seed of curiosity in your heart. Wherever you are on your journey, you are very welcome.
The RCIA journey is led by our priests and members of the parish community. It is an opportunity to ask questions, explore the Christian faith, discover the person of Jesus Christ and learn more about the life and worship of the Catholic Church. There is no expectation that you need to have all the answers, and coming along does not commit you to becoming Catholic. It is simply an opportunity to come, listen, learn and discover.
As we journey together, those who wish to become Catholic may have the opportunity, at the appropriate time, to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
The RCIA process beautifully describes this journey:
“The rite of Christian initiation is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.”
The Catholic faith has been handed down through more than two thousand years, rooted in the life, teaching, death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the witness of His Apostles. At the heart of the Church is the invitation to encounter Christ, to discover His love and mercy, and to grow in a life of faith, hope and love.
The Church is a community of people from every nation and every walk of life. It is, as we often say, both a hospital for sinners and a school for saints, a place where we come as we are and allow God to transform us.
Our First Session
Our RCIA programme begins on:
Wednesday 7th October 2026 7:30pm–9:00pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall
If you are interested in exploring the Catholic faith, I warmly encourage you to come along to this first session. You will have the opportunity to meet members of the parish team, ask questions and find out more about the journey.
If you would like more information, please come to the introductory session and after that contact the Parish Office. Further information and the planned dates for the programme can also be found below.
Please feel free to invite someone you know who may be searching, asking questions about faith, or simply wondering what it means to be Catholic.
Above all, please know that you will be very welcome among us. We look forward to meeting you and, if you choose to do so, walking this journey of faith alongside you.
Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all those who are seeking, open our hearts to God's love, and lead us ever closer to Christ.
With every good wish and prayer,
God bless,
Fr Bartolomeu Blaj
Parish Priest
Chelmsford Linked Parishes
The group meets at Our Lady Immaculate Parish Hall between 7:30 and 9pm.
The 2026/27 Sessions are below:
Session 1
7th October 2026
Session 2
14th October 2026
Session 3
21st October 2026
Session 4
4th November 2026
Session 5
11th November 2026
Session 6
18th November 2026
Session 7
25th November 2026
Session 8
2nd December 2026
Session 9
9th December 2026
Session 10
16th December 2026
Session 11
6th January 2027
Session 12
13th January 2027
Session 13
20th January 2027
Session 14
27th January 2027
Session 15
3rd February 2027
Session 16
10th February 2027
Session 17
24th February 2027
Session 18
3rd March 2027
Session 19
10th March 2027
Session 20
17th March 2027
The sacrament of confirmation will take place at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 27th March 2027.