Becoming Catholic

BECOMING CATHOLIC

Bishop Raica received Candidates for Confirmation
in the Rite of Welcoming at Prince of Peace, Spring 2021.

Becoming Catholic is a Prince of Peace adult formation program which leads to initiation into the Catholic Church. It is also an opportunity for confirmed Catholics--or anyone--to learn more about the Catholic faith. We warmly welcome those who are interested in learning more about Catholicism and our parish and who have not yet decide whether to join the Catholic Church.

Participants, during the formation period, read and view materials we provide, spend time in prayer and reflection, and journal weekly. On Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:45 AM, we meet to discuss assignments, have conversations, pose questions, and share information about the faith. The program is 14 weeks long (typically includes 10 meetings) and is offered twice per year, September-December and January-April. Those with little or no prior Christian affiliation and/or education continue their formation beyond the 14-week period through a customized program of self-study.

(Note: We are carefully monitoring the status of the pandemic.
We do have the capability of conducting this program online.
We will be in touch with those who register about any developments.)

Fall 2021 Schedule

Meetings (Sundays, 9:30-10:45 AM) at Prince of Peace:

September 12
September 19
September 26
October 3
October 10
October 17
October 24
No meeting on Oct. 31
November 7
November 14
November 21
No meeting on Nov. 28
December 5: Mini-retreat, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM (ending with lunch)
Tentative: Confirmation, Sunday, December 12, Prince of Peace, 5:00 PM Mass.

Anyone interested in the program should read the details below. If you have questions, contact program coordinator Dr. Dale Wisely. You can view our brochure here.

Those who are ready to enroll may do so online at this link.

“Becoming Catholic” is a blended study program. Participants, on their own time, read and view materials we create and provide. This includes a book that presents the fundamentals of Catholicism (Fr. Oscar Lukefahr’s We Believe: A Survey of the Catholic Faith). Participants, during each week, spend time in prayer and reflection, and journal weekly, sending their entries to our team. Journal entries are typically 150-300 words.

On Sundays, 9:30-10:45 AM, participants meet with our team. These live meetings allow us to discuss assignments, have conversations, pose questions, and provide some additional content.

REGISTERING AND PARTICIPATING IN BECOMING CATHOLIC

Interested persons, or those with questions, should email the program coordinator Dr. Dale Wisely. For those ready to register, the online registration form may be found here.

There are typically two sessions per year - September-December and January-April. Once you are registered, a team member will get in touch with you. When appropriate, the formation team will offer some customization of the program, based upon your history of involvement in Christian worship.

Requirements for Candidates and Catechumens

All participants must commit to attending Sunday morning meetings and to take responsibility for study, prayer and reflection, and sending the team weekly journal entries, on their own time, each week of the program. Our team is aware that some individuals have difficulties reading, studying, and writing due to learning differences. We are committed to work with such individuals so that they may complete the program. If these difficulties exist for anyone enrolling in the program, please contact coordinator Dr. Dale Wisely to discuss confidentiality and develop an alternate method of participating.

Participate in parish life at Prince of Peace. Mass attendance is essential.

Complete a 14-week formation period. Requirements include, but are not limited to

○ completing weekly assignments (reading, videos, online materials)

○ writing a weekly journal entry as evidence of engagement (we provide alternatives for candidates who struggle to write.)

○ spending time weekly in prayer and reflection

○ attending Sunday morning meetings. (When class meetings are missed, we can typically arrange a make-up.)

Request, in writing, their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation

Specific Requirements for Catechumens (those who are not baptized and/or those with little or no history of religious education or worship involvement) continue an additional period of formation after completing the 14-week program requirements as above.

Meet with a spiritual mentor (team member or other, as approved)
Be involved in parish life, with a focus on involvement in service
Complete a customized plan of additional study and formation

Topics in our 14-week series

Introduction, Orientation, the Creed
Scripture and Teaching Tradition
Sacraments
Catholic Morality and Contemporary Issues in Catholicism
Participation in Parish Life
Catholic Traditions (Mary, Prayer traditions)
Preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation

Those who are ready to enroll may do so online at this link.

2021-2022 Schedule

Fall Program: September 12-December 12, 2021

Meetings (Sundays, 9:30-10:45 AM) at Prince of Peace:

Spring Program: January 9-April 10, 2022

January 9
no meeting on January 16
January 23
January 30
February 6
February 13
February 20
February 27
March 6
March 13
March 20
no meeting March 27
April 3: Mini-retreat, 9:30AM-12:00PM
April 10: Confirmation (details to follow)