Becoming a Catholic

Would you like to know more about the Catholic Church?

Inquiry Classes - (for those interested in finding out more about the Church) Classes begin in the month of September and meet in the Large Meeting Room (look for signs in the gathering space to direct you to this room). During this time of Inquiry, attendees are especially encouraged to ask questions about the Church and its teachings. Attendance at these sessions is essential to making an informed decision about joining the Church. In December, persons who choose to continue in this process, participate in the Rite of Acceptance (or Welcoming). After this Rite, we will also meet most weekends for one of the Masses, and candidates* and catechumens* and a catechist* will be dismissed from Mass after the homily (sermon). During that time the catechist (team member) leads them as they study and reflect on the Scripture readings.

For those who continue on this journey of faith, Baptism (for those not previously baptized in other Christian traditions), Welcoming into the Catholic Church, Confirmation, and First Reception of the Eucharist, will be celebrated at the Easter Vigil.

Classes continue after Easter in order to give the new members a sense of what we do as Catholics, and the activities and ministries are available to them at St. Francis Parish. A closing family picnic celebration will be held in May, the Thursday after Pentecost.

Parish Community Bringing new members into our Church is the responsibility of the entire parish. Parish members encourage and welcome prospective members in many ways. Some of the ways people can get involved are:

Sponsors serve as companions to the Inquirers. The Sponsor should be a person of faith who is open to spiritual growth, and willing to travel with another on their faith journey. Sponsors are not expected to know everything about the Catholic Church. Sponsors attend a special meeting at the end of September, and then join us on Thursday evenings, in the month of October.

Hospitality People in the community are needed to provide snacks for the Thursday evening classes (things like donuts, bagels, cookies, bars, fruit, etc.). You will be called upon one or two times during the year.

Prayer Partners Provide prayer support and encouragement to the inquirers, catechumens and candidates.

………………………………………………………………..

* Some terms defined

Catechumen: One who is not baptized and is preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Candidate: One who is already baptized in another Christian faith and who is now preparing to be received into full communion in the Catholic Church. When he or she joins the Catholic Church, he or she will make a profession of faith, be confirmed and receive the Eucharist.

Catechist: One who teaches about the Scriptures and the tradition of the Catholic Church.