Returning to the Church / Becoming Catholic
Chris Deaver, Director
410-592-6206 x106
The Goals of Adult Faith Formation
Guided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) document, “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us,” the goal of discipleship is to bring all Christians to a living faith, which learns, adapts, and grows, an explicit faith, which is rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus in the Christian community, and a fruitful faith, which is productive and open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
ChristLife – “Discovering Christ”
On Sunday evenings beginning February 9, 2014, we will conduct “Discovering Christ”, the first of three 7-week faith-sharing experiences in the ChristLife program. In the fall, we will gather for “Following Christ” and then experience “Sharing Christ” in the spring of 2015. This three-part series challenges us to know our faith, to live our faith, and finally to share our faith, and it dovetails with our three-part vision of “Preaching like Paul, Serving like Peter, Faithful like Mary”. All are welcome to connect with ChristLife! REGISTER HERE!
Becoming Catholic – the RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process whereby adults come into full membership in the Catholic Church. RCIA serves the non-baptized, those baptized into a non-Catholic Christian denomination, and those baptized Catholics who were not raised in the faith.
The RCIA consists of four phases of formation on the journey toward membership in the Catholic Church. The Inquiry is the stage for those who are opening themselves to God’s call to learn more about the Church. The Catechumenate is a period of formation in knowledge and practice of the Catholic Faith. Enlightenment & Purification is an intense spiritual preparation for the initiation into the Church. Finally, Mystagogy is the time of deeper penetration into the Catholic faith after officially joining the Church at Easter.
RCIA candidates are contacted during the summer, and classes begin in September each year. Not sure if the RCIA is for you? Contact us and we can chat about where you are heading in your faith journey.
Adult Faith Formation Team
The Adult Faith Formatin Team (AFFT) assists the Director of Adult Faith Formation in setting the vision and carrying out programs of adult religious education and formation within the parish. The Team meets on the fourth Monday of January, March, May, September, and November. All are welcome to come and share their thougts about adult ministry at St. John’s.
Evangelization Committee
Guided by the U.S,. Bishop’s document, “Go and Make Disciples,” the Evangelization Committee seeks to bring all parishioners to the fullness of the Baptismal call to spread the Gospel. This is assisted by modern media such as websites, Facebook, YouTude, and other multi-media formats. The Committee meets on the fourth Monday of January, March, May, September, and November.
Scripture Studies
The parish currently sponsors three scripture study groups, which meet at different times and are studying different material. All are welcome to join any or all of these groups:
Parish Book Club
The Parish Book Club meets periodically on Friday evenings to discuss various Catholic and inspirational books. Past selections have included Father Elijah, by Michael O’Brien, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, by Scott Hahn, and The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. Check the parish bulletin for details about upcoming discussions.
Celebration of Saint John
To celebrate the founding of our parish (May 19, 1822), we gather together for an evening of fellowship and fun on the closest Saturday to our parish anniversary. After the 5:00 pm Mass, we hold a pot-luck supper in the Parish Hall. Information related to the history of our parish is displayed. This is a family-friendly evening of celebration that is enjoyed by both young and old.
Seminars and other days of faith formation
At various times during the year, we will host parish missions, days of prayer, and other seminars to support our growth in the Catholic faith. Also, educational information and flyers are placed in the parish bulletin. If you have ideas, resources, programs or suggestions that you would like to pass along, please feel free to do so. We are always looking for new ways to support parishioners and friends on their faith journeys!
