Christian Witness The Journey of Intentional Discipleship

Now You are Catholic... But What Kind of Catholic Will You Become? Intentional Catholicism vs. Cultural Catholicism Being Spiritually Active vs. Being Spiritually Passive

Consider, Today, Who is at Mass (We are hardwired to believe that everyone at mass is Catholic- not so!) Catholics—Some active, some not

Consider, Today, Who is at Mass Significant numbers of spiritually open people who do not claim a Catholic identity

Consider, Today, Who is at Mass Significant numbers of former Catholics who have wandered back --an idiosyncratic mix of Catholic and non-Catholic beliefs and practices – “unevangelized”)

Ebb and Flow ~ The Fluidity of Religion Today Some Sobering Facts Only 30% of Americans who were raised Catholic are still practicing (meaning that they go to mass once a month) Half are at Mass on a given weekend

Facts about Catholics, cont…. 38% hold to their Catholic identity but seldom or never attend Mass

Facts about Catholics, cont % no longer consider themselves to be Catholic at all 10% of all adults in US are ex-Catholics; 2.6% are converts SO THAT MEANS... 42% ARE CONSIDERED “NONES,” (not affliliated)

Why Catholics Become “Nones” Some just drifted away Some stopped believing in teachings about moral issues Some were not brought up with a strong faith identity Some say they just haven’t yet found the right religion

Three Spiritual Journeys: Catholics should have all 3: Personal interior journey— also called “intentional discipleship” Ecclesial Journey— into the Church via sacraments of initiation Journey of Active Practice – Getting involved in a community; giving back

Unfortunate Reality: Most think “Catholic Identity” is regarding oneself as Catholic and attending Mass regularly... Misconception! Most think one need not ask about the first journey if the second and third are in place... Misconception!

RCIA Invites you to Integrate all 3 Learning the faith as an adult is a different model than most “Cradle Catholics” experience It’s all about INTENTIONALITY It’s all about DISCIPLESHIP It’s all about encountering the PERSONAL, PASSIONATE PRESENCE OF JESUS CHRIST

The Presence of Intentional Disciples Changes Everything “Disciples pray with passion. Disciples worship. Disciples love the Church and serve her with energy and joy. Disciples give lavishly. Disciples hunger to learn more about their faith. Disciples fill every formation class in a parish or diocese. Disciples manifest charisms and discern vocations. They clamor to discuss God’s call because they long to live it. Disciples evangelize because they have really good news to share. Disciples share their faith with their children. Disciples care about the poor and about issues of justice. Disciples take risks for the King of God.” From “Forming Intentional Disciples” by Sherry Weddell, p. 81

Here’s what we hope to have taught you about Redemption Objective – to have you realize what Jesus did for you on the cross – a cosmic, timeless event Subjective – to have you apply the saving gifts of Christ to your life (aka the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” received at you Confirmation) We must take on a Positive Disposition – means that you are prepared to change and you actively seek the grace of God in order to do so—includes the expectation that God is with you and will guide you

Remember What You Learned: It is superstition to think that the sacraments are “magic” and we don’t have to do anything to participate in the grace they give us

Passively Receiving a Sacrament is Not Enough In the past,,any Catholics believed (and some still do), “The sacrament will take care of itself.” This is a misconception!

Grace is directly related to: personal faith spiritual expectancy hunger with which we approach a sacrament

Relationship is the Key... Explicit attachment to Jesus Christ is a sign that your inner disposition is correct....most Catholics cannot and do not articulate this....

Passively going to Church once a week is not enough. “The Church will provide,” is a misconception. ---Without personal faith, grace can be dormant “…an adult must “drop his or her nets” and begin the journey of intentional discipleship in order to receive baptism fruitfully.” “Cooperating grace” is the process by which we choose our spiritual destiny by freely cooperating with God’s initiative.

Five Thresholds of Conversion 1.Initial Trust 2.Spiritual Curiosity 3.Spiritual Openness 4.Spiritual Seeking 5.Intentional Discipleship

Where are you now on the Journey of Faith? Where are you going?

Gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom Understanding Knowledge Right Judgment Reverence Courage Wonder/Awe

How Will These Gifts be Poured Out Through You?