One of the most vital evangelization ministries in the Church is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the formation process for adults and children over the age of seven who desire to learn about the Catholic faith and who are considering becoming Catholic.

Sharing in this desire to accompany those in the Diocese of Trenton in their journeys of faith to the Church and serving as a resource to parishes as they carry out their RCIA ministries is Stephen Bulvanoski, the Diocese’s newly-named RCIA coordinator.

Bringing fresh insights, excitement and ideas to his post, Bulvanoski reflected on how “The RCIA is all about conversion, helping others to learn about Jesus.” He added that he also views the RCIA as a way of strengthening his own ongoing conversion experience as a faithful, practicing Catholic.

Bulvanoski, who currently resides in Oceanport, is a native of nearby Middletown. He attended St. Mary Parish, New Monmouth, and is a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft.

After high school, he pursued a priestly vocation and entered the seminary to become an Oblate of Mary Immaculate in Washington, D.C., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in theology. Upon determining that he was called to serve in other ways, he embarked on a career ranging from social work to business and sales. Now 66, he and his wife raised four children.

All along, however, Bulvanoski’s desire to serve the Church had never wavered. Since joining Precious Blood Parish almost 30 years ago, he has been an actively involved in a host of ministries including the parish council, social concerns and spirituality committees, Renew faith sharing and Scripture study. A few months ago he was happy for the opportunity to join the RCIA team, which is led by Maire Merritt, a parish pastoral associate and someone whom Bulvanoski has worked with in other capacities in the parish.

“It is a journey that is set up in a very organic way,” Bulvanoski said of the RCIA, then spoke of how it as being one of the greatest legacies of the Second Vatican Council and how it provided for the renewal of the process for forming and initiating adults into the Church.

In Precious Blood Parish, Bulvanoski enjoys companioning the two people who are preparing to receive their Sacraments at Easter Vigil 2016, and now on the diocesan level, he looks forward to working with parish teams and finding out “how I can best support their efforts.” He has been familiarizing himself with colleagues and parish RCIA teams by attending the special RCIA institute that is being held over the course of several months in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold. He was also present for a recent workshop on the RCIA that was facilitated by Father Paul Turner, a nationally-known author and scholar in the RCIA in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.

Bulvanoski noted his delight to having “walked into a very organized” diocesan RCIA process and extended appreciation to former diocesan coordinator Eileen Hart as well as Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish and former director of the diocesan Office of Worship, and Mercy Sister Eleanor McCann, former office associate director.

A few ideas Bulvanoski has in mind to implement in the near future include hosting a spirituality day for RCIA teams and a spirituality day during Lent for RCIA elect and candidates. He is also looking to explore ways to provide more resources and support efforts to Spanish-speaking communities.