A Basic Course in the Catholic Faith

for those interested in becoming catholic (R.C.I.A.) and

for catholics to learn more about their faith

- Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall -

Fr. Kristopher Fuchs will be leading a basic course in the Catholic Faith this year at St. Mary’s on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Please note that the meeting times are not every Tuesday, but select Tuesdays throughout the year. This course is for adults who would like to become Catholic or complete their Sacraments of Initiation (First Holy Communion, Confirmation) as well as for Catholics who would just like to study the basics of the Catholic Faith.

Tuesday, September 22   Lesson 1: Salvation History

Tuesday, September 29   Lesson 2: The Apostles’ Creed, Article 1

Tuesday, October 6          Lesson 3: The Apostles’ Creed, Articles 2-5

Tuesday, October 13        Lesson 4: The Apostles’ Creed, Articles 6-8

Tuesday, October 20        Lesson 5: The Apostles’ Creed, Articles 9-12
 

Tuesday, November 10    Lesson 6: Commandments 1, 2, and 3

Tuesday, November 17    Lesson 7: Commandments 4, 5, 6 and 9

Tuesday, November 24    Lesson 8: Commandments 7, 8 and 10
 

Tuesday, January 19        Lesson 9: The Beatitudes - Promises of Happiness

Tuesday, January 26        Lesson 10: The Seven Sacraments

Tuesday, February 2        Lesson 11: The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation

Tuesday, February 9        Lesson 12: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
 

Tuesday, March 2             Lesson 13: The Sacrament of Penance

Tuesday, March 9             Lesson 14: The Sacrament of Matrimony

Tuesday, March 16           Lesson 15: The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Anointing

Tuesday, March 23           Lesson 16: Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
 

Tuesday, April 13             Lesson 17: The Mass: The Church

Tuesday, April 20             Lesson 18: The Mass: The Liturgy of the Word

Tuesday, April 27             Lesson 19: The Mass: The Liturgy of the Eucharist

- For Those Not Baptized -

In addition to the above classes in "A Basic Course in the Catholic Faith,"
those who are not baptized go through the following periods and steps
in their journey to become Christian.

Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
This is a time for inquiry and introduction to the Gospel values, 
an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
 

First Step: Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens

- Sunday, October 25th at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

Period of the Catechumenate
This is the time for the nurturing and growth of the catechumens’ faith and conversion to God.

- Presentation of the Creed - Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s

- Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer - Tuesday, November 17th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s

- Minor Exorcisms - Tuesday, November 24th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s

- Anointing of the Catechumens - Tuesday, February 2nd at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s

- Sending of the Catechumens for Election - Sunday, February 21st at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s


Second Step: Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names

- Sunday, February 21st at 2:00 pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory

Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This is the time immediately preceding the elect’s initiation. It is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

- First Scrutiny - Sunday, March 7th at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

- Second Scrutiny - Sunday, March 14th at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

- Third Scrutiny - Sunday, March 21st at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

- Preparation Rites on Holy Saturday - Saturday, April 3rd at 9:00 am at St. Mary’s

Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

- Saturday, April 3rd at the 8:00 pm Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s

Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy
This is the time following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday eucharistic celebration.

- For Those Already Baptized -

In addition to the above classes in "A Basic Course in the Catholic Faith,"
those who are already baptized participate in the following rites
as they prepare to complete their Sacraments of Initiation
 

Rite of Welcoming the Candidates

- Sunday, October 25th at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

Rite of Sending Sending of the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop

and for the Call to Continuing Conversion

- Sunday, February 21st at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

Recognition by the Bishop

- Sunday, February 21st at 2:00 pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory

Penitential Rite (Scrutiny)

- Sunday, February 28th at the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary’s

Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

- Saturday, April 3rd at the 8:00 pm Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s