Interested in Exploring the Catholic Faith?
If you are seeking to understand more about the Catholic faith and might feel the call to join the Church, then this is the place for you. Vantage Point is a place where you can explore life, faith, and meaning in a casual, non-judgemental environment. Each person comes to the Catholic faith with their own life experiences, spiritual journeys, and deep questions. We invite you to explore the faith from a position or place that affords a wide or advantageous perspective - a Vantage Point!
Who Can Attend?
Everyone is welcome! The sessions are particularly directed to adults seeking baptism, baptized Christians from other church backgrounds who wish to become Catholic, or baptized Catholics who have not received their First Communion and Confirmation.
What Can I Expect If I Attend A Session?
Our Vantage Point team has a core belief that everyone who walks in should be treated as family - sons and daughters of God. When you join Vantage Point, you can expect to become part of a small community that seeks to share life and faith, support each other on the conversion journey, and form long lasting friendships based on following Jesus Christ.
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You can also expect an engaging instruction and discussion about an aspect of the Catholic Faith and opportunities to ask the questions that are on your mind and heart.
What's the Vantage Point process like?
CATECHUMENATE
If you are seeking to become a Christian and be baptized in the Catholic Church, then you will follow the Church's process, also known as the Catechumenate, that calls people to a conversion of mind and heart and that prepares them for a full and active life in the Church as disciples of Jesus Christ. This process follows the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, which numbers four steps along the journey toward being initiated into the Christian faith.
1. INQUIRY
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 Inquiry Period. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. After a conversation with the Director of Evangelization, 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.
2. CATECHUMENATE
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.
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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 with the bishop and with other Catechumens from all over our diocese. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.
3. PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
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.
4. MYSTAGOGY
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.
FULL COMMUNION
Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. In most cases, these individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although some preparation may be with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities. The Candidates may be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil or at another Sunday during the year depending on pastoral circumstances and readiness of the Candidate.
