EXPLORING THE CATHOLIC FAITH in 2024-2025

St. Brendan the Navigator Parish is offering a program at two of our church locations this Fall as a guide for those exploring our Catholic Faith and/or who are just wondering about life’s deeper questions, such as “Why am I here?” What is the purpose of my life on this earth?” Does or could Christianity fit into my life experiences of death, sorrow, happiness, science and faith?”

This year we will be offering two options and locations for gatherings--on Tuesday evenings , 6:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belfast and on Sunday afternoons at (TIME TBA) at St. Bernard in Rockland. We will be exploring the Catholic Faith with Symbolon, including discussion guided by a team of parishioner leaders to explore questions and insight raised from the episodes. If you know anyone interested in attending, please have them call the office, 207-236-4785. 
 
 Learn more here: https://youtu.be/Upvy5MFrSw0?si=2mmIeEJvqQLMP9cV 
 
 ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW FEELING CALLED TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH? 
 
 The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program is for those who are unbaptized and seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. RCIA is also for: 

• Baptized Catholics who need to receive the other sacraments of initiation—Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
• Other Christian denominations and faiths or those with no faith background at all who wish to explore becoming Catholic. Children over the age of 7

On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Church in Winslow, ME  Bishop Robert Deeley celebrated the Rite of Election for several catechumens and candidates across our local parishes.  Each year as Lent begins, the bishop, with and on behalf of the Christian community, “elects” those catechumens who are deemed ready to continue preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil. These catechumens become members of the “Elect,” the chosen.  Similarly, candidates for reception into full communion with the Catholic Church (those already baptized) come forward to make a public commitment by answering the call to continuing conversion, thus readying themselves with the community for full reception into the Church. 

We congratulate catechumen Mary Ann Butler and candidate Gretchen Wolff in this pivotal step in their faith journey and look forward to supporting them through the upcoming Scrutinies in the 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of Lent.  We invite all our parishioners to pray for Mary Ann and Gretchen as  they journey thought Lent to the Easter Vigil!