Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at 303 Keller Ave., North Judson, IN 46366-1209 US - How does a person become a Catholic?

There are several ways. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person's needs. In general, though, people who are becoming Catholic fall into three categories: infants and young children; people who, whether baptized or unbaptized, have had little or no affiliation with or religious training in the Christian faith; and baptized people who have been active members in other Christian denominations. The church offers unbaptized adults a process of formation in the the Catholic Christian faith called Christian initiation, or catechumenate. After the interested person contacts the local Catholic church, he or she may be invited to meet with other people who are exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic. These people have the opportunity to ask questions about the church and to hear about the message of Jesus Christ and how it is lived out in the Catholic Church. A person may continue to participate in these sessions a long as he or she wishes. No commitments are made or expected during this time. If the person decides to pursue the process of becoming Catholic, he or she enters the catechumenate. Unbaptized persons in the catechumenate are called catechumens. Baptized adults who have never been formed in the Christian life also participate in the catechumenate process. They are called candidates rather than catechumens. Even though the process is the same, the Catholic church takes care to respect the fact that these people truly are baptized. Only when there is a good reason to doubt that the person's baptism took place or was celebrated validly (a rare occurance) will such a person be baptized before entering the Catholic Church. Baptized persons are received in the Catholic Church, when they are ready, by making a profession of faith, receiving the sacrament of confirmation and sharing in the eucharist. The climax of the catechumenate process usually occurs at the Easter Vigil. [The above information is published in pamphlet form by Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622. They are also available free of charge in the vestibule of our church.] Anyone interested in becoming a Catholic Christian or who would like more information can contact our parish office at 896-2195. You may also contact us by email at cyril@catholicweb.com. Classes are generally available one night per week from September until Easter. If you have doubts or questions about the Catholic Faith, visit the "Links" section accessible on the left side of this page. Many of the websites listed are hosted by converts to the Catholic Church. At one time, they probably asked the same questions that you may have now!

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