Will there be pressure on me to join the Church if I attend the inquiry classes?
Not at all. The purpose of the process is to provide information and experiences needed to decide whether God is calling you to the Catholic way of life. Our role as leaders and teachers in RCIA is to help you discern for yourself. Worship with us, explore our beliefs and practices, spend a year among us participating in the community, and then decide if you are called by God to this way of life.

What if I just want to learn about the Catholic Church without joining?
We welcome those who just want to understand what being a Catholic really means. It is not unusual for people who are engaged or married to a Catholic to participate so that they will understand their spouse’s religion. This is also true of parents whose children are being raised Catholic - they want to know how to answer the questions posed by their children. All are welcome.

Why does it have to be so long and so public with all the rites and ceremonies at Mass?
Although the decision to embrace the Catholic faith is deeply personal, it also has a community dimension. Catholics believe that we encounter the Risen Christ in the community of believers, in the Word of God and in the Sacraments, especially so in the Breaking of the Bread (Luke 24:13-35). Faith is lived out within the context of community. Baptism invests us with bringing the mission of Christ to the world. Those standing before us during these rites are evidence that the Church is doing its work. The presence of those in RCIA is an occasion of celebration and gratitude.

As for the length, this is an important decision, not to be rushed. It is not at all unusual for former participants who had this concern to gratefully acknowledge that they would not have missed this experience for the world.

What about my children? If I become Catholic, can they do it too?
Of course! Everyone is welcome. If neither parent is a practicing Catholic we defer baptism of children until the Easter Vigil. Infants and young children do not require additional preparation as they will grow in the faith just as any other person baptized as a young child. School aged children or teens will be instructed in a process similar to the RCIA, adapted to be appropriate to their age. The older the person is, the more he or she will participate in the decision.

What do I do if I want to enroll or know more?
Call or e-mail Debbie Carmody, the director of the RCIA program (563-5303) or download the registration form and mail to: 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66216. If formal classes have not yet begun, Debbie will be happy to meet with you, suggest resources, help you get acquainted and explore questions with you.