Thinking about joining the Church?
Read on ....
Deacon Keith has kindly written an article to explain to anyone considering joining our Church the process of becoming a Catholic in St George's .
For many people there comes a time in life – perhaps several times – when they begin to ponder the ‘big issues’ of life. It may happen at a significant moment such as getting married, or having a baby, or after a bereavement or experiencing the breakdown of a relationship. It may come ‘out of the blue’ – you just find yourself thinking about the direction your life is taking and feeling ‘there must be something more’. It may be that a friend or relative has found faith and you wonder what on earth has got into them! In any event, you may begin to ask yourself questions such as; ‘why are we here in the universe?’, ‘how can we know if God really exists?’, ‘what makes life really worth living?’, ‘what happens after we die?’, ‘what should guide me in how am I going to live my life?’, ‘what do Catholics really believe?’
Deacon Keith
Fr Chris
If this is you, perhaps you are considering whether the Catholic Church might be able to help you find answers to some of these questions – or at least to walk alongside you while you think them through! Our community of faith has been around for over 2,000 years and so we have some insights and experience to share. The word ‘catholic’ means ‘universal’. We are on every continent and are made up of people of all ages, abilities, nationalities and backgrounds. We have ourselves wrestled with many of the questions you may be asking, and we have known the joys and the challenges that come with trying to live in a faith relationship with God and with each other.
So, what happens when someone approaches us to begin a conversation?
It is quite simple really. We respond to your email or phone call by inviting you to a meeting with one of the parish ministers (refreshments provided!) and we listen to what you feel you are looking for and to your questions. We then offer to meet with you on a regular basis, usually two or three times each month for perhaps an hour. We share our experience and our way of life as a community on topics such as faith, God, Jesus, prayer, scripture, worship, church, relationships, what really makes us happy etc. and we try to respond to the questions you might have about us. We invite you to join us for the community act of worship, the ‘Mass’, on Sundays and to get to know others and to listen to their experience, and see if it helps you to make sense of your questions.
Fr Lister
As these meetings progress, we hope that you will begin to get a greater sense about whether you might be being called to this way of life and faith too. If not, then you have made some new friends and increased your understanding of the Catholic faith. There is no pressure or obligation placed on you. However, if you would like to take things further and to become a member of the church community then we continue to meet and to explore how you might deepen your relationship with God to seek and follow God’s direction for you in life.
At the beginning of the season of Lent, usually in February, you will be invited to the ‘Rite of Election’’ at the Cathedral. There you will meet with the Archbishop and the many others from across the Archdiocese who find themselves on the same journey of exploring faith. New members of the church are baptised, usually at Easter. They are given a sponsor, someone that they can turn to with questions or doubts or when they have new insights of their own to share. They are invited to take a full part in the celebration of the Eucharist (the Mass). But you will quickly find this is not the end of your faith journey, but a new beginning! Living as a disciple of Jesus out in the world is not easy, but it is an adventure. Perhaps it is one you are being called to share?
If you would like to find out more, why not contact us and begin a conversation?
Deacon Keith
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If you would like to talk to a member of the clergy team you can use the contact page on the website click HERE