If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, please
contact the parish office at 547-3020 to find out which program is
appropriate for your needs.
Archived lectures and texts can be found on the Instruction Archives page.
Evangelization - Seminar Series
Continuing Education Courses
Sacramental Preparation Courses
Baptism - Infants
Our Baptism Preparation Series for parents who want their children baptized is held every other month. Godparents are welcome to attend these classes as well.
The next series' dates are:
Mondays, January 7th and 14th at 7:00 PM
Mondays, March 3rd and 10th at 7:00 PM
Mondays, April 28th and May 5th at 7:00 PM
Mondays, July 7th and 14th at 7:00 PM
This two-part class helps parents understand the implicatinos of having their child baptized into the Catholic faith. It includes reflections on the role of the "domestic church" in the faith formation of the child, the consequent faith development on the part of the parents as they nurture their child(ren), and the meaning of the various words, gestures, and sacramentals used in the Baptism ritural.
Baptism - Children Over Five
If your child is of catechetical age (i.e., the "age of reason") and you desire to have him or her baptized, it is expected that the child will
begin a period of formal instruction in order to prepare for being welcomed into the Church at Easter.
Called and Gifted Workshops
Offered once or twice a year, this weekend workshop provides a well-documented introduction to the theology of the laity and their mission in the church. It includes detailed descriptions of a variety of spiritual gifts (charisms) imparted to Christians at their baptism which enable them to carry out their mission. Each participant fills out a questionnaire that facilitates the discovery of his or her own particular combination of charisms.
Called and Gifted Interviews and Small Discernment Groups
Following each Called & Gifted Workshop, participants are strongly encouraged to have a personal interview with a facilitator trained in helping the participant select a charism to "discern" over a period of weeks or months. Small groups are then formed to assist in this ongoing discernment process. These groups meet every other week for five sessions.
Confirmation Program
Confirmation Preparation classes begin on Sunday, January 13th, 2008, and will meet twice a month until mid-May. This course offers proximate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation which is administered by the Archbishop (or his auxiliary) in late Spring. This course reviews the meaning of each initiation sacrament, the importance of the Mass and personal prayer, and the "education" provided by the Church Year. It also gives an overview of Catholic moral teachings.
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred at the Noon Mass on May 12th, 2008, with Bishop Elizondo presiding.
Exploring Catholic Beliefs - Series I
This ten week course offers a practical introduction to the Christian faith, and beliefs we hold in common with other Christians. It covers the Trinity, the importance of a personal commitment to Christ, and an introduction to the role of the Bible, prayer, and the faith community in the life of the believer. It includes a one day retreat on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and encourages believers to seek to live a Spirit-filled life.
Follow link to the Exploring Catholic Beliefs page.
Exploring Catholic Beliefs - Series II
This nine week course offers an overview of Catholic beliefs and practices. It provides catechesis on the structure of the Catholic church, the Mass and the sacraments of initiation, forgiveness and reconciliation, types of prayer, and the role of Mary and the saints in the life of the believer. The course is appropriate for new or returning Catholics, for those whose faith education took place primarily in their youth, and for non-Catholics wanting to learn more about the Catholic church.
Follow link to the Exploring Catholic Beliefs page.
Marriage Preparation [Evenings for the Engaged]
This six week series opens up a wide variety of topics for engaged couples to learn about and discuss. Topics include personality and family of origin differences; differing expectations of marriage; marriage as a vocation, a covenant, and a sacrament; communication and conflict resolution skills; moral issues, including family planning, spending priorities, personal vices harmful to marriage; the power of forgiveness; and the interfaith issues. Secondarily, the course aims to help engaged persons to discern if they ought to marry this person at this time.
First Penance and First Eucharist
Children are eligible to receive First Peance and First Eucharist at age seven, which is usually the second grade or older. Preparation classes
are held on Sunday mornings as part of Sunday School. If this time is impossible, arrangements can be made for home study.
Instruction Archives
The Instruction Archives index a series of educational lectures, articles and programs which touch on the rich tradition of our Catholic faith.
Follow link to the Instruction Archive page.
Marriage Enrichment Series
This monthly series offers ongoing fellowship for married couples of all ages and a review of important concepts and practical skills that keep a marriage healthy, holy and happy.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
This year-round weekly "process" is designed to facilitate Iinquiry into the teachings and practices of the Catholic faith for those baptized in other Christian denominations or for those who have never been baptized. After an appropriate period of inquiry, participants may choose to prepare to join the Catholic Church. The length of this period of "apprenticeships" depends upon the participant's previous faith background. Those interested may begin th inquiry process any time, attending classes on Thursday evenings or Sunday afternoons. The program is conducted by a teaching team under the supervision of the Pastor. To register, please call the Parish Office.
Mystagogia
This weekly (optional) follow-up to RCIA is intended to provide continuing fellowship and exposure to Catholic thought to newly received Catholics. Topics are chosen by the participants and may involve a period of extended study. The sessions are open to anyone interested in the chosen area of study.
Sunday Morning Adult Education Forum
Single sessions or mini-series which enable participants to expand their knowledge in the areas of Catholic beliefs, practices, ecclesial writings and church history. Other sessions focus on famous/influential Catholics of the past or present, or on practical ways Christians engage in today's culture, live their faith and pass it on to others. The class meets Sunday mornings from late September through mid-May.
A syllabus showing the proposed Adult Class Schedule for the calendar year is available on-line.
Sunday School - For Children and Youth
Weekly sessions from late September through mid-May. Offers religious education for children 3 through 18. Course content parallels national and diocesan curriculum guides for grades 1 - 8. Preschool and high school class content is more variable as there are no set standards for these levels.
Sunday School meets each Sunday morning from 10:30 AM until 11:45 AM in the school building.
The yearly cost is $25 per child for the first two children in a family, $10 for the third child, and any additional children are free. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs assistance.
Scripture Study - Evening Class
Evening Scripture Study classes are offered periodically throughout the year. These series enable participants to gain a deeper historical and theological knowledge of a particular biblical text. Participants learn principles of biblical interpretation through frequent application (e.g. guided homework assignments). A deeper familiarity with Scripture should bring participants to a stronger relationship with Christ and impart to them greater confidence in the beauty and intelligibility of the Gospel, leading to increased fervor for evangelization.
Spring 2008 offering: The Passion and Resurrection According to John, meets Sundays at 7:00 PM, April 13 - May 11th.
Scripture Study - Morning Small Group
This weekly Bible study enables participants to gain a deeper knowledge of a biblical text through the use of study guides and with a trained facilitator. Besides carefully studying a particular biblical text over an extended period, the course invites participants to reflect on the meaning and application of that text to their lives today. To find out more about this study group, please contact the Parish Office.
Vocations Discernment
Individual counseling for those seeking a clearer understanding of their personal vocation. Contact the Parish Office for details.
Welcome Back
This eight week course offered once a year provides a way for Catholics who have left the practice of their faith to ask questions and discuss problems/issues they have with the Catholic church. The course content is very much driven by the particular areas the participants want to discuss.
Follow link to the Welcome Back page.
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