Sacraments

Baptism:
Baptisms are usually held on the first Sunday of the month. Contact the parish office to sign up or for more information.

Confirmation:
Confirmation classes form every other year. The next class will be forming in May of 2008. If you have questions, please call the parish at (206) 935-0358.
For information on preparing for confirmation, click here.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist:
Classes are held between the morning masses for those in second grade. Reconciliation is usually celebrated in December, and Eucharist in the spring following Easter. Classes begin in September. Call the parish office to register (206) 935-0358. First Sacraments Coordinator: Rachel Hoch.

Marriage:
Please contact the parish office at least six months prior to the date you desire. Pre-marriage education is required.

Anointing of the Sick:
Anointing is available to those who are suffering serious illness, are facing surgery, or are experiencing the infirmities of advancing age. If you are facing surgery and would like to receive the sacrament of anointing, please contact the parish office before you enter the hospital. (206) 935-0358

How do I Become a Catholic?: The RCIA Process
Are you interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith?  Have you ever thought of becoming a Catholic?  If you, or someone you know, would like to know more about us, perhaps the RCIA  (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process is for you.  The process provides information about the teachings and the history of the Church, allows you to ask your questions about the Catholic faith, and gives you the opportunity and the time to discern if Catholicism is for you.    

The process usually takes place over nine months and is done in a comfortable faith sharing atmosphere.  We meet once a week, on Wednesday evenings from 7-9, and reflect on the experiences that cause us to be aware of our faith.  The first months are called the “Inquiry Period,” and you are welcome to come question, learn and discern if the Catholic faith is for you – no strings attached. 

Should you discern that you would like to commit to further prayer and study along the path to becoming a Catholic, then you will be accepted in the midst of the Sunday community as a Catechumen, (one who has never been baptized in any faith) or a Candidate, (one who has been baptized in another faith tradition). 

As a Catechumen or a Candidate, the journey continues through the “Catechumenate Period,” a time of further study about all things Catholic such as the Sacraments, the Trinity, and the Eucharist.  As we enter into the season of Lent, or the “Enlightenment Period,” the desire one feels for receiving the sacraments intensifies and the Catechumens and Candidates are called to St. James Cathedral to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect, as the Archbishop “elects” them to the Easter sacraments.

All the preparation, excitement, and joy reaches a culmination on Holy Saturday, the Vigil of Easter as the Candidates profess their belief in the Catholic faith and the Catechumens are baptized.  Now, as “Neophytes,” or “new babies in faith,” they are Confirmed and approach the table of the Lord to receive the Eucharist for the first time, one with us as a community of faithful believers.

Following the joy of Easter, the Neophytes continue to meet until Pentecost to explore the mystery of faith that they have experienced.  This can be a most wonderful time of rejoicing, and re-telling the stories of the faith journey.

To sign up, just talk about the possibilities, or ask further questions about becoming Catholic, please call Peg Borkowski at the Parish Office, 935-0358 ex 108; or email Peg at pegb@olgseattle.com.   It would be my pleasure to walk with you along your faith journey.      

We will begin our first meeting on Wednesday, September 26th at 7 p.m. in the Parish Office.