Seeking information about becoming Catholic?

Are you considering the Catholic Church as the way of expressing your faith in God? The process through which someone enters the Catholic Church is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.). Normally someone wishing to explore the Catholic faith begins by contacting the RCIA coordinator at the Parish Office (248 651 7486). Formal instruction is done with a group of people who are also on their faith journey, accompanied by “sponsors” (members of the Church who support the candidates and are willing to journey with them.) This instruction period generally begins in late summer and continues through spring of the following year. Welcoming into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) is traditionally celebrated at the Easter Vigil.

Returning to the Church?

Welcome home! If you have been away from the Catholic Church for awhile, and wish to learn again about the rich traditions and teachings of our faith, you might want to consider taking part in the RCIA sessions. Perhaps you (or members of your family) have never celebrated the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. For information to meet your needs, contact the Parish Office (248 651 7486).

Seeking to enrich your own faith?

• Scripture Study: St. Andrew Catholic Church offers a wide variety of Scripture studies to meet the needs of those who are just beginning or those who have studied for many years. Each year, we offer at least five different studies, using Catholic resources and a variety of approaches. Consult our Scripture Study page for a list of current studies.
• Ministry of Mothers Sharing (M.O.M.S.): Women of all ages are invited to this 8 week small group approach to spirituality and ministry. This is offered as part of a national program to support and encourage women on their spiritual journey through journaling, prayer and faith-sharing. New MOMS groups are organized twice a year.
• Spiritual Book Club: Once a year a group of adults gather twice a month to explore a different facet of Catholicism through reading and discussion of a particular book. Books in the past have included An Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism, The Holy Longing, and People of God (a study in Church History) and presently we are reading The US Catholic Catechism for Adults. New participants are always welcome.
• Retreats, Evenings of Recollection, Prayer Mornings: At least five times during each year, the parish invites women and men to participate in “sacred times” on our own parish grounds to grow in their own faith journey. These events are announced in the parish bulletin and through a separate page. For a more intense experience, you are invited to visit the following sites: Manresa, The Capuchin Retreat House and The St. Mary's Retreat House.
• Automobile University (CD4U): The Education Commission offers its own version of NETFLIX by providing parish members with CDs of well known theologians to listen to at your convenience. For a complete listing of available CDs, visit our CD4U page.
• Adult Formation Committee: We are always interested in input and help in planning faith formation events for the larger community (speakers, missions, marriage enrichment opportunities, etc.)
• Sacramental Preparation Opportunities: St. Andrew Parish offers strong theological and practical information for those preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation for teens and adults, Reconciliation, and Marriage. For information about priesthood or religious life, we encourage you to visit the Archdiocesan Vocations site.
• Vicariate Events: Because St. Andrew Parish belongs to the Pontiac Area Vicariate, members of our parish are invited to take part in any faith formation opportunities which might be offered within the Vicariate.

Seeking to share your faith as a catechist?

A catechist is a person from the parish community who is committed to “echo” the Catholic faith to others. Catechists should be confirmed, participating members of the Church. They commit themselves to work with the Religious Ed staff and within the confines of a particular text to provide quality instruction in the faith. According to diocesan standards, they are required to submit to a Criminal Background Check and attend a workshop entitled: Protecting God’s Children. Our catechists gather monthly with section heads to plan lessons for the upcoming month. They are encouraged to participate in Catechist Formation Opportunities. The parish offers a minimum stipend to catechists to help defray any costs they might ensue. Babysitting for catechists is provided during the sessions and during lesson planning opportunities.