What is it that you love most about being Catholic? Is it the history, the tradition, the belonging to something larger than yourself? Is it the smells and bells of liturgy? Is it the heroic examples of saints throughout the centuries? Is it the smudge of blessed ashes you receive on your forehead on Ash Wednesday, or the weaved palm branches on Palm Sunday?  Is it the CYC soccer, fish fries, or plaid school uniforms?  Is it beauty, goodness, or truth?

For many of us, the choice to become a Catholic Christian was voiced through our parents and godparents when we were baptized as infants. For some in our community, that choice was made through discernment and study as an adult. Regardless of when you were received into the Catholic faith, all of us are called by Christ to renew that commitment each day. But it’s a good question to ask ourselves: “Why am I a Catholic?”

As the school year resumes, our parish is once again beginning the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), where our friends and neighbors have the opportunity to walk with our catechists in their journey to deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ by becoming fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. It is such a powerful thing to see someone walk that journey throughout the year, and to see the joy on his or her face as they are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

One of the most important parts of that process begins with you – the invitation. More properly said, the invitation is from God himself as he pours the grace of conversion into someone’s heart, but the invitation is also given voice to by you as members of this community. I would encourage each of you to call to mind at least one person in your life that you feel might make a good member of the Catholic Church and invite them to consider RCIA this year. The worst they could say is “No, thank you!”

If someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, or if they might be baptized Catholic but not have received the sacraments of Holy Communion or Confirmation, please have them call or email Fr. John Seper, (frseper@sgmparish.org) or myself (frgrosch@sgmparish.org). We’d love to hear from them!