Becoming a Catholic Christian: “Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1275
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You might be reading this page because you are curious about what is involved in becoming a Catholic, or because you firmly desire to join the Catholic Church. Perhaps you come to Mass with your family but never have been invited to take the next step. Or maybe you know a Catholic who has impressed you by their life of faith. Do your children attend our Catholic school and you would like to share what they experience there? Whatever the reason, we invite you to “taste and see” through a journey in faith. You are warmly invited to the first few meetings of the RCIA group, starting in the autumn.
At no stage will you be under any pressure to sign up and become a full member. It is a journey of discovery. In fact, you may find the process of becoming a Catholic somewhat slower than you would like (taking around a year)… because membership involves making a firm commitment to God and to our local Catholic community, and is not to be undertaken lightly!
It is a process of initiation into the the community through study of Sacred Scripture and Church teaching, spiritual reflection, private and liturgical prayer, as well as community involvement. Some liturgical celebrations at Sunday Masses take place to mark stages in the persons faith journey.
The climax is the beautiful liturgy of the Easter Vigil, when baptism, confirmation and first Communion are celebrated, a truly glorious night.
The RCIA is a loving immersion into the Mystery of the Church in which Christ is truly active and present and facilitates the conversion of the heart to God in Christ Jesus. Please do speak to the Parish Priest to discover more!
Already Baptised?
If you are already baptised and would like to consider being received into the full communion of the Catholic Church through confirmation and first communion, you are very welcome to speak to the parish priest about that continuing journey of faith.
You will be made very welcome and your faith journey to date will be very much respected.
RETURNING HOME TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?
There’s an old saying that goes, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or for quite some time, but now you feel a tug at your heart calling you back to the Catholic Church. Listen to that tug. It’s your Heavenly Father reaching his arms out to you, the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear, hoping to draw you home.
If visiting our website is a first step to returning home to the church, we are very pleased to welcome you. Yes, we rejoice with you! Take as much time as you want to make up your mind. Please pop-in to Mass and discover what it’s like now and to see how our parish might serve your needs and see how you might be part of the Catholic family once again.
Although the core of the Mass (the Eucharist) never changes and is at the heart of our faith, often the way we come to that sacred place is important.
If you have children, you might find the Saturday evening masses suitable for your family with its celebration of a Children’s Liturgy of the Word in term time. The Sunday Mass is more traditional, usually with more music and incense. You might be surprised by just how familiar and comfortable it feels to be in church, but whether it feels good or not, taking the opportunity to chat with the parish priest and members of the community at coffee on Sunday. It may be just the thing you need to do. Their advice and help could be all you need to find a path through the tangles of past emotions and present needs to help you find your place here in the Catholic Parish of Corsham. A warm welcome home awaits you!