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FIND TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND GOODNESS
There is no question that is "off-limits" for the Catholic Church.
There is no person who cannot find their "fit" in the Catholic Church.
There is no person whom Jesus isn't calling to find Him more fully in the Catholic Church.
RCIA . . . .
At the conclusion of their journey to the sacraments, and full initiation into the Catholic Church, participants were asked what the RCIA process meant to them.
Linda, one of the participants responded with the following:
RCIA was everything! And nothing like I expected!
The RCIA journey was one of self-discovery, deep thought, it was joyful and surprising, and if brought me to a place of peace and love. The grace and kindness with which the teachers lead us brought a sense of understanding and acceptance of the main lesson: love. God is love, we are unconditionally loved by Him, and through Him we are able to truly love others.
What RCIA wasn't . . . . . .
Classroom lectures . . . instead it was discussions, questions, music, video, lots of laughter.
Memorizing Bible versus . . . instead it was learning how to understand and live within God's message in a modern world.
Adopting Catholic Law . . . instead it was realizing Catholicism is and what it says - it's derived from the word meaning "universal" and there is compassion and respect for everyone.
Strict, stodgy teachers . . . instead it was a group of people earnest in their desire to help us grow, but also not afraid to be a little silly to help us laugh.
Stressful . . . instead it was soothing.
Governed by a strict and stern priest . . . instead Fr. Chris participated with the same serious desire to guide as the teachers, and with a deep understanding of God's love for each of us.
Mostly, RCIA was a blessing and I'm so very grateful to have had the experience. I am a better Christian but also a better person because of it.
Linda
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What is a sponsor?A sponsor is a fully initiated Catholic who will walk with someone who is becoming Catholic. They will guide you, be your sounding board and help you find answers to your questions. Ideally, your sponsor is someone you admire for their faith, hope and love - and someone who challenges you to grow in faith, hope and love.
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What if I am already Catholic but missing some Sacraments?RCIA is also for you! Please email me below, wo we can discuss your specific next steps for becoming fully initiated as a Catholic.
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What is RCIA?RCIA stands for (Rite of Christian Initiation) is the official name for the process of becoming Catholic. This involves teachings, classes, meetings with a sponsor, rites within Mass and finally receiving your sacraments in the Church!
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How do I become Catholic?Becoming Catholic is a process that involves building your own personnel relationship with Jesus, investing in the Church community, receiving knowledge of Christ and His Church, and going through several different 'rites' to become fully initiated. For those who have already been baptized in another Christian denomination, at the end of your journey (really, just the beginning of a new journey) you will receive First Communion and Confirmation. If you have never been baptized, you will go through the same process, but you will also be received into the Catholic faith through Baptism. Being Catholic, however is a life long pursuit!!
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What does it mean to be Catholic?To be Catholice means to be pursuing a life fully alive in Christ. This means pursuing Jesus in personal prayer and especially in the sacraments building community in the Church, placing your whole life at the disposal of Jesus, and striving to live a life of holiness, as laid out for us by Jesus Christ, in the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. The life of a Catholic Christian is a radical life, make no mistake. But it is also the most joy-filled, amazing life you could possibly live. The question; "What does it look like for me to be Catholic/" Well, that a question only God can answer.
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How long does it take to become Catholic?This depends on each person, most people invest at least a year - it takes a long time to learn what it means to become Catholic, as well as to wrestle with questions and build relationships within the Church. But there is no set timetable or no rush. Some people take one year, others may take three or even many more! What matters is that you are walking lockstep with God. He will reveal the right timing for you.
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Catholic Social TeachingBroken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson Do Something Beautiful for God by Mother Teresa
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CatholicismWhy We're Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love - by Trent Horn Surprised by Truth - by Patrick Madrid Catholic All Year: Liturgical Living for Real Life - by Kendra Tierney Vibrant Paradoxes - by Bishop Robert Barron The Life of Christ - by Bishop Fulton Sheen
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Catholic LivingIn the School of the Holy Spirit by Fr. Jacques Philippe The Life of the Beloved by Henry Nouwen Men, Women and the Mystery of Love by Dr. Edward Sri Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting by Laura Kelly Fanucci Drinking with the Saints by Michael Foley
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ScriptureThe Gospel of Mark: Catholic Commentary - by Mary Healy The Memoirs of St. Peter - by Michael Pakaluk A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: Old Testament - by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre
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For MenThe Catholic Gentleman by Sam Guzman Be A Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be by Fr. Larry Richards Joseph's Way: The Call to Fatherly Greatness by Devin Schadt
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For WomenGo Bravely by Emily Hussem Be Brave in the Sacred by Mary Lenaburg Theology of Home I: Finding the Eternal in the Everyday by Carrie Gress Theology of Home II: Spiritual Homemaking by Carrie Gress
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The Blessed Virgin MarHail Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God by Scott Hahn Walking with Mary: A Bibical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Dr. Edward Sri The World's First Love by Bishop Fulton Sheen Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary by Brant Pitre
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For Non-Catholics20 Answers: Atheism by Catholic Answers Five Proofs for the Existence of God by Edward Feser From Fire by Water by Sohrab Ahmari From Islam to Christ by Derhya Little
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PrayerDeep Conversion: Deep Prayer by Fr. Thomas Dubay Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay Loved As I Am by Sr. Miriam James Heidland I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean D'Elbee
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The Moral LifeThe Sinners Guide to Natural Family Planning by Simcha Fisher Made This Way; How to Prepare Kids for Today's Tough Moral Issues by Leila Miller and Trent Horn Raising Upright Kids in an Upside Down World by Dr. Ray Guarendi
“That is our real ‘stature,’ our spiritual identity: we are God’s beloved children, always. So you can see that not to accept ourselves, to live glumly, to be negative, means not to recognize our deepest identity…God loves us the way we are, and no sin, fault or mistake of ours makes him change his mind…God counts on you for what you are, not for what you possess…In his eyes, you are precious, and your value is inestimable.”
-Homily at World Youth Day Mass in Krakow
