Growing Together in our Catholic Faith

Each week we explore an aspect of our Catholicism to grow a deeper understanding of our faith

How do I join the Church?

By Fr. John Diezten

I am a 17 year-old Protestant.� However, I feel that I belong in the Catholic Church.� I have been reading about the church and going to Mass.� Should I recite the creeds and prayers along with church members?� How can I be sure that I am ready to become a Catholic, and how do I go about joining?

I have thought and Prayed about this for over a year.� My heart tells me I am headed in the right direction.

Your letter was a cool breeze on a warm day.� As a Catholic who loves our church and our faith a great deal, I am always pleased when someone like you wants to share it.� And I am happy for you.� Obviously you even now feel God working in your heart through the contacts and experiences you have with the Catholic faith.

My first advice is that you talk with a priest, or perhaps to a Catholic friend who might lead you to a parish program for someone like yourself.� While we are always happy that someone wishes to join our faith, we are concerned, as you are, that this decision be made with sufficient understanding of what it means to be a Catholic.� Our faith is not simply a list of doctrines we accept.�

It is a way of life based on friendship and intimacy with Jesus, a special relationship with God an others.� This relationship is enlightened and supported by the Scriptures and by our shared life of prayer and worship and service.�

Every Catholic parish has some process to help people know when, as you say, they can be sure they are ready.� For most parishes today that journey of faith involves what is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).� Over a period of several months you will pray and learn, share your faith and doubts and questions with others, and have plenty of time, guidance and companionship as you weigh the decisions you will need to make.

In the meantime keep going to Mass every Sunday.� Listen and participate attentively.� You may stand, kneel, join the prayers, and do whatever everyone else does, except receive Communion.� That should wait until you finally become Catholic.� Please talk to someone about your desires soon, if you have not already done so, and get moving with your plans.

Reprinted with permission from Father Dietzen's book "Catholic Q and A",   Crossroad Publishing  New York N.Y. Weekly columns by Father Dietzen on current questions are available in Catholic newspapers throughout the country.