Adult enquirers seeking baptism are invited to meet with the parish priest to share something of their personal story and the reasons for wanting to know more about the Christian faith. Usually the priest will invite the enquirer to join the Journey in Faith group where enquirers and Church members spend time exploring the central truths of Christianity and the way in which our Catholic faith is lived and celebrated. As the Journey in Faith meetings continue the enquirer is encouraged to join in the celebration of the Sunday Mass.
Every person is different and some need more time than others to clarify God’s call in their lives. After several months of exploration, prayer and discussion individual enquirers may be ready to take a further step to become Catechumens. During the season of Lent, Catechumens enter into a period of more intense preparation before the celebration of baptism at the Easter Vigil.
Adults who are already baptised into other Christian denominations and who wish to be received into the Catholic Church are also invited to join Journey in Faith and to participate in the Sunday Mass. A year of regular worship, involvement and guidance is expected before application for Reception into the Catholic Church is made: parents are expected to explore their personal Journey in Faith so that they support their young children and their choices. Eventually these adults may be formally received and celebrate the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil, and their children may be catechised and supported in following their parents’ example and inspiration. Parents are those firstly responsible for their children’s upbringing in the faith.
It is one of the distinctive characteristics of a true Christian parish community that it seeks to welcome and encourage people who sincerely are seeking for God, and each parish community discovers more about the wonder of God’s love by their active hospitality, and by their listening to the story of others.