• Welcome
    • I/We are new
    • Why become a member
    • Join the Parish
    • Parish History
    • Parish Staff
    • Donations
      • Give Online
      • Catholic Ministry Appeal
    • Online Forms
    • Mass Times and More
  • Our Faith
    • On Becoming Catholic
    • We believe
    • The Sacraments
      • Anointing of the Sick
      • Eucharist
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation
      • Matrimony
      • Reconciliation
      • Holy Orders & Vocations
    • Funerals
  • Religious Education
    • Faith Formation 2024 – 2025
    • Adult Education and Evangelization
    • Bible Study
    • Education & Activities for Children
      • Altar Servers
      • Saint Anne Children’s Choir
  • Volunteer
    • Safe Environment Campus
    • Liturgical Ministries
    • Faith Formation Volunteer Opportunities
    • Music Ministry
    • Ministries of Mercy
    • Service Ministries
    • Social Ministries/Fundraisers
    • Children’s Activities
      • Altar Servers
      • Children’s Choir
    • Parish Affiliated Ministries
  • Other Ongoings
    • Pope Novena
    • Novena del Papa
    • Acts of Mercy Challenge
    • Ladies’ Dinner
    • Saint Anne Bingo
    • GriefShare at Saint Anne
  • Parish Online
    • Livestreamed Mass
    • Memorial Mass – Pope Francis
    • St Anne YouTube
    • Fr. Kevin’s Blog
    • Lessons from the Mountains
  • Outreach
    • St Anne Food Pantry
    • St Vincent de Paul Society
Saint Anne Catholic ChurchSaint Anne Catholic Church
Saint Anne Catholic ChurchSaint Anne Catholic Church
  • Welcome
    • I/We are new
    • Why become a member
    • Join the Parish
    • Parish History
    • Parish Staff
    • Donations
      • Give Online
      • Catholic Ministry Appeal
    • Online Forms
    • Mass Times and More
  • Our Faith
    • On Becoming Catholic
    • We believe
    • The Sacraments
      • Anointing of the Sick
      • Eucharist
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation
      • Matrimony
      • Reconciliation
      • Holy Orders & Vocations
    • Funerals
  • Religious Education
    • Faith Formation 2024 – 2025
    • Adult Education and Evangelization
    • Bible Study
    • Education & Activities for Children
      • Altar Servers
      • Saint Anne Children’s Choir
  • Volunteer
    • Safe Environment Campus
    • Liturgical Ministries
    • Faith Formation Volunteer Opportunities
    • Music Ministry
    • Ministries of Mercy
    • Service Ministries
    • Social Ministries/Fundraisers
    • Children’s Activities
      • Altar Servers
      • Children’s Choir
    • Parish Affiliated Ministries
  • Other Ongoings
    • Pope Novena
    • Novena del Papa
    • Acts of Mercy Challenge
    • Ladies’ Dinner
    • Saint Anne Bingo
    • GriefShare at Saint Anne
  • Parish Online
    • Livestreamed Mass
    • Memorial Mass – Pope Francis
    • St Anne YouTube
    • Fr. Kevin’s Blog
    • Lessons from the Mountains
  • Outreach
    • St Anne Food Pantry
    • St Vincent de Paul Society

On Becoming Catholic

The Steps of Christian Initiation

Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church. After a conversation with a priest or a parish director of Christian Initiation, the person, known as an “inquirer,” may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite of Acceptance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen.
The Period of the Catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God’s inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church.
The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral church. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.
The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education continue in the Period of the Post-Baptismal Catechesis, which is also called Mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost. During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church’s mission and outreach activities.

Please call the office at 813 645 -1714 to inquire.

Contact Us

Email the office

Send Message

© [2024] — Saint Anne Catholic Church.

  • Home