If you are interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith, one of the best ways is to contact the parish and speak with the pastor, deacon and parish staff by calling the Parish Office at 931-582-3633.

You may also complete the online form (at left) and you will be contacted by a member of our parish staff to set up a meeting to discuss.

You can also explore the Catechism of the Catholic Church. "Catechism" is the name given to a written work that contains a summary of all the beliefs of the faith that is used as a teaching tool.

Becoming Catholic

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the formal process in which adults explore and, if they choose, receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. RCIA is based on the principle that the process of conversion proceeds gradually, in stages. 

In RCIA, you will learn about the teachings of Jesus as the Catholic Church has handed them on and also have the opportunity to participate in the life of the parish through service and prayer.

The program involves a team of clergy and laity, as well as a sponsoring community committed to sharing their faith. You will have an opportunity to ask questions in a non-pressured environment alongside others who are on the same journey, learning the fundamental beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith and what it means to live as a Catholic. Click here to be directed to the Adult Formation resources on our website.

What does initiation into the Catholic Church entail?

If you have not been baptized, the Christian initiation process prepares you to become a Catholic Christian through the sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation and holy Communion. If you have been baptized in another Christian community, the initiation process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of confirmation and holy Communion.

If you have been baptized as an infant, but have not celebrated the sacraments of confirmation and holy Communion, the RCIA program would be appropriate for you. If you are an inactive Catholic, one that has celebrated all the sacraments of initiation, and would like to return to active participation in a parish, call the contact on the left. You may also find helpful information on the “CATHOLICS COME HOME” Web site. Click on this link to be directed to the website.

How long does it take to become Catholic?

The RCIA class at St. Patrick run from August through May. We have classes on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm. RCIA candidates for all three sacraments of initiation will typically celebrate the sacraments during the Easter Vigil liturgy on Holy Saturday.

Stages of the RCIA Process

The process of becoming a Catholic takes place in various “stages” and involves certain ceremonies called “rites” or rituals. Some of these rites take place at the Sunday liturgies when the community gathers to worship.

• Inquiry: the initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You’re asking questions and checking it out, but aren’t yet ready to commit.
• Catechumenate: those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you’re developing your faith and are being “catechized” – learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.
• Purification and preparation: The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter. If you’re following the RCIA process, you’ll go through a beautiful series of Gospel-based meditations during Lent, which is the time frame of thisperiod.
• Initiation itself, the culmination of the whole process! You’re received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you’ll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you’ve already been baptized, there is no need to be baptized again.)
• Mystagogy: after reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully. Specific catechesis on the Mass, the Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist are the focus of this stage.

What if I change my mind?

Seeking information about the Catholic faith will not commit or oblige you to become Catholic. We encourage you to learn as much about the faith and take as much time as you need to make this decision. While we love the Catholic faith, and hope that you will also come to love it, we will not pressure anyone to make such an important decision.

THE ROLE OF THE SPONSOR

The person to be confirmed is to have a sponsor. The sponsor's function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfils the duties inherent in this sacrament.

A sponsor accompanies any candidate seeking admission as a catechumen. Sponsors are persons who have known and assisted the candidates and stand as witnesses to the candidates’ moral character, faith, and intention.

As they become familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to the faith, in all things to keep their hopes set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds, and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation.

The Ministry of the Sponsor

A person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfill the conditions mentioned in canon. 874 which reads:

To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

• Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
• Be someone other than the parent of the catechumen/candidate.
• Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Be a registered member of the parish.
• Be someone other than the spouse or significant other of the catechumen/candidate.