St. Columba Catholic Church
Dothan, AL
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WELCOME & CONGRATULATIONS We welcome new members to our Church family. During the Easter Vigil, Gretchen Kay Steinberg & George Edward Lamb received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The following who were previously Baptized were received into full communion with the Church, Confirmed & received Holy Eucharist for the first time: Riley James Reynolds, Shirley Green & Renee Ann Hatton. and the Catholics who were Confirmed by special indult were Andrew Blisard -Davis, Leigha Blaire Steinberg, James Edward Morrow & Melissa Le Anne Morrow. We congratulate these fine people who have completed their journey to the Easter Sacraments after study, prayer & reflection. We welcome them as brothers and sisters in Christ. |
Following is the process followed by those who are interested in becoming Catholic or who have questions about the Church and our Catholic beliefs:
This process has many stages: Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Enlightenment, and Mystogogia.
The first stage, Pre-Catechumenate, introduces people to our Catholic way of life, traditions, customs, etc. Questions are asked and clarifications sought at these sessions. It is an inquiry phase. The Pre-Catechumenate must be completed before a person moves on to the second stage, Catechumenate.
The Catechumenate is the period of intense instruction in the doctrine and belief of the Catholic church.
We do that in four ways:
The instruction is suited to the participants, planned to be gradual and complete in its coverage and supported by celebration of the Word.
With the support of sponsors, godparents and the entire Christian community, the participants are led to a deeper prayer life, to witness to the faith, and to keep their hopes in Christ.
The liturgical rites lead the participants to a deeper relationship with God and God's people, the Church.
The participants are led also to develop a spirit of service to the community by works of charity.
The third stage is the Period of Enlightenment. This is a period of spiritual renewal and typically coincides with Lent. During these weeks the members of the R.C.I.A. are led in prayer and reflection as they focus on conversion, sensitize their lives in the light of the Gospel, and celebrate the Rites and the presentations of the Creed and The Lord's Prayer
The Mystogogia, fourth stage, starts after people are baptized or received into full communion with the Church. This is a time for the community and the new Catholics to grow together in deepening their grasp of the mystery of Christ's dying and rising. This happens through mediation on the Gospels, sharing in the Eucharist, and doing works of charity. The whole community is called to give thoughtful and friendly help.
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