Divine Mercy Parish welcomes you and thanks you for your interest in our Catholic faith community. We want to help you in your search; any inquiry is handled as natural and pressure-free as possible. Some of the questions and answers below may be helpful in your initial search.
The process the Catholic Church has for people who are seeking a relationship with Jesus in Baptism or through the Catholic Faith Community is called the RCIA process. This process or journey begins with an email or phone call to Brittain Banull [bbanull@divinemercyparish.us / 570-344-1724]. God is already at work in you, guiding you, calling you, perhaps challenging you. What we feel called to do is to walk with you, as you continue this journey with the Lord. RCIA is that process of walking with you, encouraging and supporting you and offering you the information you need so that you may respond freely to the Lord’s call.
It begins with your phone call or email. In the beginning, you’ll have a number of one-on-one or group meetings with a member of the RCIA team. These “Inquiry” sessions are to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the Catholic faith or the process of becoming Catholic. Then, when you are ready to ‘formalize’ the process, you enter into the period of Catechumenate [for those seeking baptism] or candidacy [for those already baptized].
For all Catholic Christians the process of ‘becoming’ Catholic is a lifelong journey. For those who desire baptism, the process takes as long as the individual needs to prepare and feel ‘ready’ to be baptized; usually about a year ending with receiving Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
For those who are already baptized in another Christian Faith Tradition, the process takes as long as the individual needs to feel prepared to make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church. This journey can take anywhere from 6-8 months, but each individual situation is taken in to consideration.
Belonging to the Community of faith is very important to Catholics. We believe that salvation comes to us in Jesus Christ, through Baptism into a faith community. Relationships take time to build and nurture. Part of this process is to help incorporate you into this family of faith in addition to helping you grow in your relationship with Jesus and your understanding of Catholic beliefs and worship.
There isn’t any ‘typical’. God sends us men and women of every age; as young as 20something to a seasoned 70something. People come with little to no information, knowledge or understanding of God, religion or faith to those with highly developed relationships with Christ and deep faith nourished in another faith Tradition. So, if you choose to enter into this process – you’ll be a ‘typical’ participant!
Our basic beliefs are summarized in what is called the Nicene Creed which dates to 325 AD.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and
by the power of the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day On the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Religious Education Registration Packets
2020-2021 Religious Education Registration Form for Grades 1-6
2020-2021 Religious Education Registration Form for Confirmation
