ASK DEACON MIKE

JUNE 1, 2008

As the coordinator for the RCIA in our parish I often hear the question: What do I need to do to become a member of the Catholic Church? The short answer is: Be in union with the Church. While this may be a short response, there are many reasons that a person may not be in union with the Church. I would like to explore some of these reasons with you.

To clarify let us first look at what “union with the Church” means. This unity implies a desire on one’s part to conform one’s life to that of a disciple of Jesus Christ. It means that we are sorry for our sins and seek God’s ever present forgiveness. As a sign of our commitment we accept baptism. Baptism makes an end of Original Sin and initiates us into full membership of the family of God. As members, we follow the laws of the Church. These laws do not exist on their own merit. They exist as a means to aid us in our search for the ultimate Truth. It is in the search for these truths that we find the areas where one may not be in union with the Church.

The first scenario that I am about to detail is something that most of us have come across in our own families or in our circle of friends. This person was baptized as a Catholic as an infant. However, the parents never fulfilled their promise to raise the child in the practice of the faith. Now, years later, this person, as an adult, feels the call to get their life in order. They want to be able to partake in the Sacraments and participate fully at Mass. They have neither made their First Holy Communion, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation nor been Confirmed. Let’s also say they are now married, for the second time, and neither marriage was witnessed in the Catholic faith. What must this person do to become a full, practicing member of the Catholic Church?

Before this person can become a member of the Church they must first obtain an annulment for their first marriage. While the annulment process takes its course, the person would also participate in the parish RCIA. During this period of self-searching, reflection, discussion and study the individual is given the basic instruction in the faith. Once the requirements of the RCIA have been met and the annulment has been granted this person is then received into the Church. This usually happens at the Easter Vigil. However, with the permission of the pastor, the reception can happen at other times. Full reception requires that they make a good Confession and then they receive their First Holy Communion. Later they will be confirmed. Once the first marriage has been annulled the second marriage is convalidated.

Another familiar situation is when a person baptized into another Christian denomination seeks to become a member of the Catholic Church. The first thing we do is establish the validity of the baptism. Most denominations use the same Trinitarian formula (I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.) If this can be established then the prior baptism is accepted. However, if there is doubt or if the denomination uses a different formula then the person would be required to be baptized. After baptism the requirements are basically the same as in the first example. However, in this case the person would be confirmed and given the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Invalid marriages must still be annulled. The period of study and preparation in the RCIA are still the same.

A third example would be if the person has no affiliation with any Christian denomination. As an unbaptized person this individual is still subject to the requirements discussed above. After the completion of their preparation they would be baptized, confirmed and be given their First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.

As you can see I have only given a broad outline. If you or someone you know would like to explore this further please give me a call and I will be happy to sit down with you and examine your situation with you. Regardless of your circumstances there is nothing that can prevent you from searching for the Truth. In your search you may just find yourself in one of the situations mentioned above. We are here to help. But we can only help. The initiative must be yours.

Please continue to send me your questions. I will consider anything that pertains to our Catholic faith: the sacraments, Mass and worship, or any related topic. You can send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@comcast.net. If you wish to remain anonymous then just send a sealed note to the rectory or put it in the collection basket to my attention.

As the summer season approaches I hope that you will keep your faith in mind as you go on vacation. Even though we are not at home we still have the obligation (the obligation is to ourselves) to attend Mass on Sunday. I know of no better way to relax than to be in the company of our Heavenly Father.

God bless you and I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks.