Adult Sacramental Preparation Schedule and Materials

Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic? Are you Catholic but have not received all of your sacraments of initiation? Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the sacraments? 
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. We want to walk with you on your journey of faith. 

Step One: Contact Us!
Our team will take some time to explain the process of becoming Catholic. This is also an opportunity for you to ask preliminary questions, and we will ask you some questions to help us better understand how to serve you. Some questions will include:

• Have you been baptized before? Where have you been when it comes to your spiritual journey?
• Where do you want to be in your spiritual journey?
• How do you want to explore and deepen your spiritual life?
• How will you know that you have arrived at your goals?

 These are tough questions for all of us and we continue to ask them even after being fully initiated in the Church. The goal is to help you to reach your spiritual goals through the life of the Catholic Church.
 
Step Two: Join our Wednesday evening meetings
We gather every Wednesday evening (except the months of July and August) and discuss the teachings of the church. We take requests from our participants if they want to delve deeper into any topic. We are using Untied States Catholic Catechism for Adults as a discussion starter. We will supply you with the book along with many other resources when you are ready to get started.

Step Three: The Sacraments
When you, the team, and the pastor have decided that you are prepared to receive the sacraments and be fully initiated into the Catholic Church, we will begin talking about setting dates. This part of the process looks different depending on the journey you have been on.  

• If you have never been baptized, or you have been baptized in a manner that is not recognized by the Church, you will probably receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Your process will include some other rites and rituals through out the year and we will have discussed all of this along the way.
• If you have been baptized in another faith and your baptism is recognized by the Catholic Church, a date can be set for you to make a Profession of Faith, as well as receive Confirmation and First Communion at a Sunday Mass.
• If you were baptized Catholic and would like to receive your First Communion and/or Confirmation, the Diocese of Portland holds a Mass each Spring for you to receive these sacraments.

Step Four: Life in the parish
Receiving the sacraments is just the beginning. There is a whole parish family excited to welcome you. You can continue to join the Wednesday evening gatherings to learn more about the faith and be part of the discussions. You can join the ministries and committees that help our parish grow and live in the community. We are here to help you to look at your gifts and talents and see how you can continue to grow in your faith life.