In his last words to the apostles, Jesus gave them a mission:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Mt 28:19-20)
Thus, the teaching mission of the Church comes from Christ himself. The responsibility for fulfilling that mandate passes on unchanged to the bishops and to all Catholics.
Within each Catholic diocese, the diocesan bishop is its principal teacher. He is assisted by clergy, religious, and lay men and women who serve as educators and catechists in Catholic institutions, including primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, seminaries and parishes.
Catechesis is the act of handing on the Word of God intended to inform the faith community and candidates for initiation into the Church about the teachings of Christ transmitted by the Apostles. It also involves the lifelong effort of forming people into witnesses to Christ and opening their hearts to the spiritual transformation given by the Holy Spirit.
The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, called the Magisterium, lies with all of the bishops who are led by the pope and guided by the Holy Spirit. The pope and bishops are the authoritative teachers in the Church. In this section of our Web site, you can find information about many forms of Catholic teaching.
Sycamore – thinking about life and faith...
What is Sycamore?
Sycamore is a new programme of evangelisation and catechesis. It consists of ten films that explore some of the core questions often put to Christian believers: How can I find true happiness? What is the meaning of life? Does God exist? Who is Jesus Christ? It deals with topics such as the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Bible, the Christian Tradition, faith, prayer, love, vocation, and the purpose of life. People are invited to learn about the Christian faith, and to share their own ideas and questions without fear of being judged.
The structure of the films
Each film is broken down into four short sections. Each section has some input, followed by a discussion question, together with interviews (‘vox pops’) of people responding to these questions. The film is then paused to allow the group to discuss the given topic; and then re-started for the next section.
Catholic and ecumenical
Sycamore was developed in a Catholic context, and it touches on some themes that will be especially important for Catholic communities, such as the relationship between the Bible and the Christian Tradition, the importance of the sacraments, the relationship between the faith of the individual believer and the faith of the Church, and the link between the work of the Holy Spirit and the teaching and moral vision of the Church. But it is a programme that reflects the wisdom of the broad Christian tradition, and it will be a useful tool for Christians from different traditions and backgrounds.
Why 'Sycamore'?
The word “Sycamore” alludes to the meeting between Zacchaeus and Jesus in Chapter 19 of the Gospel of St Luke. As Jesus enters Jericho, Zacchaeus longs to see him, but he is too short, and the crowds are too big. So he climbs a Sycamore tree in order to get a better view. The Sycamore programme is about helping people to get a richer perspective on the big questions of life and faith, and allowing them to meet Christ in their own time, on their own terms, just as Zacchaeus did in the streets of Jericho.
Why not join us!
Thursday evenings beginning after Easter
What is the RCIA?
The RCIA is a process that invites any adult (age 15 or over) interested in searching the Catholic Faith to discover what the Catholic Church teaches and believes. This process is accomplished in a comfortable, friendly and informal environment designed for adults. In this parish the process accommodates inquirers the year around, though most begin in the fall because entry into the Church has historically been at Easter after about nine months or more of preparation. Near the end of the process the Sacraments of Initiation of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated at the Easter Vigil. These sacraments are also celebrated other times of the year as the need arises.
A team of Catechists (teachers) including the parish priest present sessions on various topics during the four periods of the RCIA described as follows:
The Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conference has described the RCIA as follows:
"The rite of Christian initiation... is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God's help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the Sacraments fruitfully. "
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conferences
The RCIA is a powerful restoration by Vatican II of a practice first started by the early Church in the third century when many people were converting to Christianity during Constantine's rule. Since its re-establishment in the early 80's, the RCIA process has renewed the whole Church.
Come join us to find out more about the Church and what it teaches. Select the Parish News/Events section to see what's coming up soon.