Opportunities for Christian Enrichment

The information in this brochure will help you identify opportunities the parish has developed to enrich your faith both spiritually and mentally. After you have reviewed the information please use the registration sheet to sign up for one or more sessions. The registration sheet contains information regarding the dates and times of the sessions. For more information, contact parish staff or members of the parish council for further information.

GETTING STARTED IN OUR FAITH

(Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

The RCIA is a four-stage process designed to welcome, instruct and support adults preparing to embrace or confirm Catholic Christianity. Adults baptized in other Christian faith traditions are also engaged in this process. The RCIA process has two distinct components. One component provides information about Catholic teachings and doctrine – the elements of the Faith which are uniquely Catholic; the other component is worship, prayer, community, and reflection – the nurturing of one’s universal (catholic) faith life. The RCIA may take as long as three years depending on the participant.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN (RCIC)

The purpose of RCIC is identical to RCIA, to welcome, instruct and support. RCIC welcomes children age six through seventeen who are non-baptized or baptized with no additional sacraments. RCIC places family in the center of the process because the participant’s most important community is the family. This is a one to two year process depending on the child.

INFANT BAPTISM

Baptism is the first sacrament of the church and provides an opportunity for parents to introduce and immerse their child (up to age five) into the faith life of the believing community, seals the child with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and sets the child on the path to salvation. Parents, the primary evangelizers of their child, attend baptism formation sessions to prepare for the sacrament of baptism.

TEEN CONFIRMATION

High school age teens are invited to accept responsibility for their faith journey, their walk with God. Confirmation formation invites teens to develop a richer prayer life, explore moral issues, learn about Church teachings and take an active role in the faith community. Confirmation formation is a two-year process.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

See Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

FIRST EUCHARIST

See Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or Children (RCIC) depending on age.

GROWING IN FAITH AND UNDERSTANDING

FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

ADULT OFFERINGS (Sessions geared toward supporting the spirituality and consciousness of Catholic adults)

Scripture Study Group

We offer two types of Scripture study formats. Both provide an informal atmosphere to read, explore and deepen your understanding of the Word of God. One format, Sunday Morning Scripture Discussion, is lectionary-based (based on the designated readings for each Sunday). The other, Scripture Study, chiefly explores one book of the Bible at a time.

Catholic Basics

This course is designed to nurture new and not-so-new Catholics with a simple look at the doctrine, tradition, and lifestyle of Catholics. We will use the United States Catholic Catechism as our foundation for discussion. We will discuss topics such as prayer, the Bible, Church teachings and lifestyle.

Returning Catholics Series

This is a ten-week series, starting before Lent each year, designed for those who are considering a return to active participation in the Catholic faith. Each week different areas are presented for discussion, such as: why people stop practicing their faith, changes in the Church, active participation and reconciliation. The series closes with the Lenten communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Brews & Views (Formally Theology on Tap)

The idea behind Brews & Views is “take it to the people”. People, especially young adults, go to bars and pubs to socialize and the Kerry House Pub on Piedmont Avenue is no different. Consequently, St Leo the Great sponsors two “six-packs” (six sessions) of Brews & Views per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Who says religion and alcohol don’t mix?

Divine Mercy Prayer and Formation

St Faustina Kowalska, a polish nun, wrote a diary of about 600 pages in which she recorded revelations she received about God’s mercy. This prayer group seeks to learn more about the mercy of God and spread the message of God’s Divine Mercy for the world.

Legion of Mary

In 1921, Frank Duff, led by a sincere devotion to Mary, gathered a group of devotees to pray, to nurture their faith and to answer their baptismal call to “spread the word”. This small group was the beginning of the worldwide apostolate of the Legion of Mary. The Legion of Mary uses the Roman Legion as a model for order and discipline and to remind the members, legionaries, that they are a part of a vast army/legion.

Christian Meditation

The modern world believes that meditation is a concept of the Eastern religions, but meditation has been a part of the Church for centuries. Christian Meditation seeks to quiet our lives and enable us to find Jesus at our center.

Social Justice Committee

The Church has served the needs of the poor and underprivileged for all time. The bishops constantly call us to action on the part of those in need. The Social Justice committee works, in the parish community, to keep us mindful and involved in this work of God.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN OFFEREINGS

On-Going Formation (Post Eucharist Catechesis)

•  Teens (Grades 9 – 12)

As in life, with age comes more responsibility. Teens are invited to develop a more adult faith and to move forward in their understanding and relationship with the Trinity. We will explore the Catholic faith by exploring the teachings of the Church, life experiences, moral theology and other significant ideas and beliefs based on the age and needs of the participants.

•  Young Teens (Grades 6 –

Young teens will be encouraged to study the rituals of the Church, such as the Mass and the Sacraments. Then, after studying these visible signs of God at work, they will be asked to put that knowledge into action by applying it in everyday life. Young teens will design prayer services and study the saints.

•  Children (Grades 3 – 5)

A Christian is a disciple of Christ and to be a disciple of Christ we first need to know what Christ did, what he said, and why. Children will use the weekly Sunday Scriptures to come to know Jesus better, then begin to develop the skills necessary to make Jesus’ actions their actions.

First Reconciliation Preparation (See Sacraments for Our Faith Journey)

Teen Confirmation (See Getting Started in Our Faith)

SACRAMENTS FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY

RECONCILIATION (Confession, Penance)

This is a sacrament of healing – healing a broken relationship with God. The action of asking for forgiveness, confessing our sins, receiving absolution and doing penance enable us to continue our journey toward God. Priests are available on Saturdays from 3:30PM to 4:30PM in the Reconciliation Chapel (located off the vestibule of the Church). You may schedule an appointment with a priest for individual confession and counsel. We also celebrate Communal Reconciliation Services during the Advent and Lenten seasons.

•  First Reconciliation Preparation

Children, ages ten and older, are encouraged to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession of sinfulness or Penance. They will prepare by completing a preparation booklet with the help of family, attending five preparation sessions to further explore the nature of sin and the mercy of God, and by participating in a readiness interview. The First Reconciliation will take place at the Lenten Communal Reconciliation Service.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

This sacrament of healing is another sign of God’s love for us. We remember that Jesus “went about doing good and healing”. One of the most important parts of our human bodies to heal is our spirit. Physical healing can happen only after we are at peace with our loving God. If you are in need of this life-changing sacrament, please phone the parish office (654-6177) to make arrangements. In addition, we offer Communal Anointing of the Sick services throughout the year.

HOLY MATRIMONY

Holy Matrimony, marriage, is a covenant relationship. “The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God.” (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults) It is also a Sacrament of Service, which means it is a sacrament directed at the salvation of others. Engaged couples, seeking the Sacrament of Marriage, should begin the process at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. Couples must complete a marriage preparation course and other Church requirements.

HOLY ORDERS

This Sacrament of Service actively involves men in the salvation work of God. There are three degrees or “orders” in the Sacrament of Holy Orders; they are bishop, priest, and deacon. Men who discern a call to a life of service are invited to speak to the Pastor or contact the diocesan vocation office.

•  Sisters (Nuns)

Women have actively been in involved in the salvation work of the Church since its inception. Women who discern a call to service are also invited to speak the Pastor or contact the diocesan vocation office.

WORSHIP AND PRAYER

EUCHARISTIC LITURGY

The Mass is our most valuable and sacred source of Christian enrichment. It is here that we, a community of believers, are regularly nourished with the Word of God and the Bread of Life. We are reminded, at the Mass, that Christianity does not stop at the doors of the church; it is carried within us to our homes and outside communities. Mass times are Monday through Friday at 12:10PM, Saturday at 8:00AM. The Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:00PM, and Masses on Sunday are at 8:30AM and 11:00AM.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is an immensely important form of devotion to our Lord and recognition of our unique relationship with God, our Father. When we set aside time for Eucharistic Adoration we acknowledge Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, in ourselves and in each other. We have set aside time on the first Saturday of each month at 3:30PM for Eucharistic Adoration.

MARIAN DEVOTIONS

Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was the first disciple of Christ, she continues to be a model of discipleship. Parishioners are invited to form societies, small groups dedicated to Mary. Currently, there are two groups formed to honor the Blessed Mother.

•  The devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help meets at 4:00PM in the church on the first Saturday of each month.

•  The Legion of Mary (see Growing in Faith and Understanding) meets at 7:00PM each Thursday in the Old Prayer Room.

THE ROSARY

The Rosary is a traditional prayer of the Church that encourages participants to meditate on significant events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. We pray the Rosary as a community each Saturday morning following the 8:00AM Mass.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The Stations of the Cross (also known as the Way of the Cross) is another of the traditional devotions of the Church. Devotees use scenes from the Passion and Crucifixion of the Lord to remember the price Christ paid for the salvation of the world and to examine their own consciences. On Fridays during Lent, we gather to pray the Stations of the Cross after the 12:10 Mass. On Good Friday we pray the Stations at 7:30PM.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

Christian Meditation (see Growing in Faith and Understanding) meets on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM in the Rectory. All are encouraged to learn this form of prayer.

DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP

This prayer and formation group (see Growing in Faith and Understanding) gathers in the Rectory on Monday evenings at 7:30PM. All are invited.

This brochure provides only a brief description of the services, programs, and processes which are presently included in our parish’s Christian Enrichment Program. If you have an idea for some type of Christian Enrichment different from those listed in this brochure, please feel encouraged to talk to a parish staff or parish council member about your idea. We are most happy to promote and encourage a wide variety of Christian Enrichment Opportunities. Please contact parish staff or parish council members if you need further information about any of the items listed in this brochure.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHRISTIAN ENRICHMENT REGISTRATION FORM