SHOULD MY NON-CATHOLIC SPOUSE BECOME A CATHOLIC? If your spouse does not have a present church affiliation, or if your spouse comes to Mass with you often, or if you sense an interest in Catholicism in your spouse, he or she may very well be interested in becoming a Catholic. Why not invite him or her?

CAN NON-CATHOLICS RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION IN OUR CHURCH? No, as a general rule non-Catholics should not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. On certain specific occasions they can receive permission from the Bishop to share in Communion, but if they want to receive Communion regularly, this is a sign that they probably want to become Catholic. Non-Catholics should fully share our beliefs before they fully share in the table of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church. Please read the “Guidelines for the Reception of Communion” found on the inside of the front page of our Missalette.

WHAT DOES A NON-CATHOLIC DO TO OFFICIALLY BECOME CATHOLIC? They meet with a Catholic priest/or R.C.I.A. Director who will explain the Church’s R.C.I.A. Program to them. The R.C.I.A. is the Church’s way of welcoming and forming new adult members.

WHAT IS THE R.C.I.A.? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a return to the practice of the first centuries of Christianity when new members were brought into the church gradually, communally and liturgically. This means that the candidates for entrance into church make their decision in stages, as a group and during the liturgical calendar of the church year.

ARE PROTESTANTS REBAPTIZED? Baptized Protestants are believing Christians, so they are never rebaptized. They become Catholics through a Profession of Faith and the Sacrament of Confirmation, since they are confirming their baptismal faith, but now in the Catholic Church. A non-Christian, however, (someone who is not baptized) would be baptized to enter the Church.

HOW DO I KNOW IF R.C.I.A. IS FOR ME? Probably the best way is to come and find out. By enrolling in the R.C.I.A. you make no commitment. The R.C.I.A. begins with an inquiry phase, where your questions can be answered.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A CATHOLIC? Call the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Office, 232-3225, for information.

IS THERE READING OR STUDYING INVOLVED? Yes, we spend time learning more about the Old and New Testaments, Jesus and His message, the history of Christianity, the Sacraments, morality and our prayer life. We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 -9:00  p.m. beginning September 16 in the McMillan Room. All three of Freeport’s Catholic parishes are involved in this all city R.C.I.A. program.