About
Whether you are baptized Catholic and have been away from the church for decades, whether you are a non-Catholic Christian, or whether you identify yourself as a spiritual seeker, at St Michael's we want to help you to go deeper into your faith.
We can testify to the reality that rare is the perception or presumed understanding of the Catholic faith that is not on some level a misunderstanding. We want to help you close this gap – providing a learner’s community that can help you address your doubts, perplexities, and lingering questions.
At St. Michael’s we strive to be an entrance door not only for those who are joining the Church, but also for those who are discovering the Church. We recognize that the faith journey is a process, with multiple steps along the way, and that our role in this gradual process is one of both instruction and accompaniment.
Here are some ideas of where you can start:
1.Catholics who want to come back to their faith:
Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire platform and YouTube Videos
Check out the videos on Catholicism on formed.org
Visit Catholics Come Home: catholicscomehome.org
Read the book Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly
Join the ALPHA course – 11 week introduction to the Catholic Faith (winter)
Or just contact Fr. Ignacio or the office to have a personal chat.
2.For Non-Catholic Christians or Spiritual seekers who want to explore:
Exploring Catholicism is an eight-week program to be held on Tuesday evenings, beginning in September, open to all who want to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
We investigate some of the following topics: What is Faith?; The Holy Trinity; Who is Jesus Christ?; What do we do with the Bible?; The Meaning of the Mass.
Exploring Catholicism doubles as our inquiry phase for RCIA – that is, the phase when people curious about entering the Church can learn more to decide whether they would like to embark upon the process.
In the meantime, here are some resources that we have found helpful in coming to better understand the Catholic faith:
Brant Pitre’s Books: The Case for Jesus, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, and Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary.
Scott Hahn’s Books: Signs of Life and Letter and Spirit.
The ‘Journey Home’ series from EWTN
Read “The Light of Christ: An introduction to Catholicism” by Fr Thomas White.
Watch the video The Light of Christ, An Introduction to Catholicism
Questions? contact rcia@stmichaelportland.org