We would be happy to talk with you about becoming Catholic! Contact Mary Pat Storms, [email protected] or 251-1113 The journey begins whenever you are ready.
Click here to complete our information form.
Why be Catholic?
We are a COMMUNITY where CHRIST is present in parents, children, teens, retired people, single people, married people, old and young: in everyone gathered to CELEBRATE feasts, births, deaths, weddings, life with RITUALS whose signs and symbols speak when we are too sad, tired, broken or excited and joy-filled, bringing to mind SAINTS who show us by their example how
ORDINARY PEOPLE can bring PEACE & JUSTICE to our families, ourselves, our world by sharing in the EUCHARIST that unites us with Jesus Christ and each other, in heaven and on earth. We are CHURCH where all are welcome as apprentices of Jesus to journey with us, sharing the task of building God’s Kingdom as DISCIPLES.
Our relationship with JESUS is personal, but never private.
How do I become Catholic?
Becoming Catholic is a life-long process of following Jesus Christ within the community we call the Church. This journey has several stages. Those who are first interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and perhaps making it their own are known as inquirers. We meet twice a month in the fall, reading, discussing and learning about Jesus and His Church. During this part of the journey, we continue our discovery of Jesus in connection with the Gospel proclaimed each Sunday.
At the first of the year, those who are ready to commit to the Catholic faith celebrate the Rite of Acceptance during which the parish community welcomes them as catechumens (unbaptized people) or candidates (those baptized in other Christian traditions.) We gather at Mass, with dismissal following the homily to further study the Scriptures and the Church.
Sponsors are fully-initiated Catholics who join the catechumens and candidates in their journey.
At the start of the season of Lent, candidates and catechumens participate in the Rite of Election at the Cathedral with the bishop. The Rite of Election marks an intensive period of preparation leading to Easter.
We continue meeting on Sunday mornings, celebrating rites called Scrutinies on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent. During Lent, candidates receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the group gathers for a retreat and preparation for the Easter Vigil.
At the Easter Vigil, those preparing for entrance in the Church are welcomed and receive the appropriate sacraments. Following Easter, we gather for Mystagogy, a time to reflect on the good God has worked in our lives. The journey of discipleship continues in many ways as we continually commit our lives to Jesus.