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Welcome To St. Edward's Catholic Church! Founded in 1893 by the people of Mason County and staffed through the years by various priests of the Archdiocese of Seattle and some priest monks of St. Martin's Abbey of Lacey Washington. |
Father Ron Belisle, Pastor
322 North 3rd St.
Mass Times:
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Christian Education
Calendar 2007-2008
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The Catechumenate names the process by which interested persons gradually become members of the Catholic Church, or how unconfirmed Catholics complete their initiation.
The Christian Initiation of Adults is a journey of faith:
"From the awareness of stirring of faith and curiosity within one's heart, through all those stages of asking and seeking, through beginning involvement with Christian/Catholic people, through hearing the Gospel proclaimed and by faithful reflection and prayer on this Word of God, through study and discussion about the Catholic experience, through doubts and hesitations, through involvement in the works of charity and justice with those already committed to the Catholic way of life, through discernment of God's call for them as individuals, through the steps of commitment, through the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist) to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in communion with Catholics throughout the world."
The RCIA contains five main stages or phases:
Period of Inquiry has as its purpose a time to become acquainted with the Catholic Church and to hear the good news of salvation from Jesus Christ our Savior; it is a time to look within at one's life story and see connections to the gospel story of good news. This reflective process becomes a continuing, on-going method used by inquirer and member alike. This period lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years, if necessary. For some there may be marriage complications from the past that will need to be considered. It is well to bring this up early.
Are you interested in some online reading for the Period of Inquiry? Listed is an excellent summary of Catholic teachings on the Church and its life. Follow the links below:
Period of catechumenate embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership. For a person to enter this phase, s/he must already have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and sincerely desire to become members of the Catholic Church. During this phase, the catechumens now gather with the Catholic community on Sundays for the first part of the mass, during which, together, we hear the Scriptures, respond to them, and reflect on the meaning of God's Word for us personally and as community through the homily. After the homily, catechumens are dismissed , and with their Catechist, continue a process of reflection and application of the Scriptures to their own lives. During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated; the person comes to know more and more deeply the love of God in their own lives and in the midst of the church community. For the nonbaptized, this phase may last as little as six months
Are you interested in some online reading for the Period of the Catechumenate? Listed is an excellent summary of Catholic teachings on the Church and its life. Follow the links below:
The Period of Purification corresponds to that time known in the Catholic Church as Lent; the six-weeks of preparation for Easter become the days of prayerful time for catechumens and candidates, who are now known as the Elect, as they prepare for the moment of welcome as full members and are established as such by the Sacraments of Initiation. This period is begun by the Rite of Election, usually celebrated with the Diocesan Bishop; by this rite they are accepted as candidates for the Sacraments by the Bishop, representing the fact that this decision is not theirs alone. Normally this rite takes place early in Lent. Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at the Sunday Eucharist for the catechumens and candidates; they are called "scrutinies"; these prayers for strengthening in grace and virtue and for purification from all past evil and from any bonds which hinder them from experiencing the love of God. Throughout this period, the Elect are invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of works of charity and in the practice of fasting. During this period, the common reflection on the Scriptures continues; the readings of Lent were chosen with the themes of continuing conversion in mind. Toward the end of the period, the Church continues the custom of "handing over" to the Elect the Creed (the summary of our faith) and the Lord's Prayer (which represents its practice of continuing prayer after the command of Jesus who taught us to pray).
Are you interested in some online reading for The Period of Purification? Listed is an excellent summary of Catholic teachings on the Church and its life. Follow the links below:
The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night-watch of prayer, singing and hearing the Word of God. By the waters of baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ. Anointing with special holy oil called chrism seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit and participation at the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist marks full membership in the church.
The Period of Mystagogy lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season, fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process. Those who have just shared in the sacraments of initiation are now called Neophytes and during this period of Easter joy they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This period of time reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together.
Are you interested in some online reading for The Period of Mystagogy? Listed is an excellent summary of Catholic teachings on the Church and its life. Follow the links below:
By means of this process non-baptized persons become Catechumens, who will become full members of the Catholic Church by means of the Sacraments of Initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.
A baptized person from a Protestant tradition who is preparing for reception into full communion in the Roman tradition, or an unconfirmed person is called a "candidate." By this we mean that this person is a candidate for the Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation and a candidate preparing to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Since candidates are already baptized, the liturgical rites that mark the steps of the formation process are different. There are rites of welcoming by the parish community, recognition by the bishop, a call to continuing conversion and a penitential rite of Reconciliation. Reception into full communion in the Catholic church takes place with a profession of faith, Confirmation and Eucharist.
The Rite of Christian Initiation is the church's way of ministering sensitively to those who seek membership. For that reason some people will need more time than others to prepare for the lifetime commitment that comes with membership in the Catholic Church. The length of preparation is negotiated between the pastor, the catechist and the catechumen or candidate. It seems reasonable to experience the yearly calendar of Catholic practice at least one time around in order to make an informed decision.
What is the first step?Any person who is seriously thinking about become a Catholic-Christian or who would simply like more information can contact the pastor at St. Edward church (360-426-6134).
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Parish Staff Pastor:
Father Ronald Belisle: Dir.of Religious Education:
Mary Chapman Maintenance Engineer: Joe Zimny Parish Office (360) 426-6134 Web site originally created in July, 1998
Composer: Father Ronald Belisle |
| Last updated March, 2008. |