Becoming Catholic – Is RCIA the only way?

If someone feels led to join and become a member of the Church Jesus founded (the Catholic Church), must they always go through the process known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)? In order to answer that question, let us first take a look at what RCIA is.

Christianity – Is it only about a Personal Relationship?

God has revealed Himself to the world through His son Jesus Christ. St. Paul says, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:15-16).” So, once we have found the truth of who God is, then we must respond to His call. We are called to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. And through that love for Him, we are then asked to show that love to everyone around us. But, for many Christians today, the aspect of a personal relationship with our Lord seems to be the only focus. What is the Catholic Church’s view about our relationship with Christ?

Receiving the Sacraments after Divorce

I have heard many times from a parishioner that they know someone who is divorced and are not receiving the sacraments. These are individuals who have not remarried, but are civilly divorced. They will ask me if it is alright for them to receive.

Anointing of the Sick

Jesus Christ instituted holy anointing during his earthly ministry. We see it alluded to in the Gospel of Mark, “So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them (Mark 6:12-13).” It is directly found in the book of James, where the apostle and brother of our Lord recommends it:

Reconciliation – “The Sacrament of Healing”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes called Confession or Penance, heals us of the separation from God caused by our sinfulness. Because of God’s rich mercy for us, He set up a remedy for people who, after Baptism, continue to fall out of His grace by falling into sin. This remedy is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, this was not a sacrament before the coming of Christ and it is also not a sacrament for anyone who has not been baptized.

Because of the stain of serious sin, all men have needed reconciliation to obtain grace and justice.

Sacraments: What do they do?

The sacramental system of the Catholic Church comes to us and was instituted by Jesus Christ. The sacraments are actions of Christ and his Church, whereby the signs and means of “saving grace” is normally bestowed on souls. Each sacrament bestows a special grace and effects the soul in a particular way. A person’s soul is directly touched by the power of Christ in a special way through the sacraments.

Marriage Annulments – Did Jesus allow for Divorce?

 

Since the 1960’s, the divorce rate in America started to rise. In the 1980’s it leveled off and since then, it has slightly decreased. One of the main reasons for a slight decrease is that young people today do not get married right away, but instead live together for a certain period of time as a type of trail marriage. Many of these relationships do not last. So, in our society at large, it seems that marriage is not as sacred as it once was. What about marriage within the Christian community? Is the rate lower for those of us who follow Jesus as our Lord? If it is lower, it is not by much.

So, as a follower of Christ, did Jesus allow for divorce? If we look to the Gospel of Mark, we see just how high Jesus Christ valued marriage. In chapter 10 of Mark, Jesus was tested:

Confirmation: Being Sealed with the Holy Spirit

 Since my youngest daughter is approaching the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, I thought I would touch base on its meaning and what it conveys to the recipient.

Firstly, there are seven sacraments that Jesus gave to his Church. The word “Sacrament” is taken from the Latin word sacramentum, which means “holy things.” Even though the word “Sacrament” does not appear in the Bible, the reality of it is rooted in Scripture. Jesus made things “Holy Things” or “Sacraments” through his words and actions. Sacraments are an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Sacramentals: “Aids to Grace”

 The Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ and they give us grace. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church which help prepare us to receive the fruits of the sacraments. Some examples of sacramentals are blessings, making the sign of the cross, holy water, the veneration of relics, medals, statues, the scapular, the rosary, prayerful reading of scripture, the rites of administering the sacraments, votive candles, incense, pilgrimages, alms-giving, the blessing given by a (bishop, priest or deacon), blessings with chrism (oil), and crucifixes. All these things are sacred insofar as

Why confess to a Priest?

Have you ever heard someone say: “Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest? Isn’t he just a man? Why can’t I just go to God directly to ask for forgiveness of my sins?” It might be something you yourself have wondered about. Yes, we are to go to God personally to ask for forgiveness, but Jesus set up a way that sins, especially mortal sins, to be brought to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. How, why, and where did the Catholic Church come up with this sacrament anyway?