Did you ever wonder what CCD stands for in the Catholic Church?

CCD stands for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

This is an old term that was used when talking about Religious Education aka Catechism aka Catechesis aka "Sunday School."

We have a number of opportunities for religious education in our parish for both young and old. Check out the following options:

Our Religious Education program is specially designed to pass on our faith to the  younger members of our parish family. Our volunteer instructors work hard at giving our students a firm grasp of their faith in a loving way. Our Director of Religious Education and teachers are devoted to helping students explore and live out their faith. Kindergarten through 8th grade meet after Mass on Sundays, as do the Adult CCD classes.

We are seeking parents/grandparents of CCD students to be substitute teachers. Contact the church office or Liz Ryan for more details.

Are you interested in joining our Catholic Faith? RCIA offers weekly classes to instruct and strengthen those who wish to become a Catholic. Classes run from September until the Easter Vigil, at which point our candidates and catechumens will be welcomed officially into the Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the process where adults who are not Catholic learn the “What we believe” and “why” of our Catholic faith, as they join the Church. 
 If you know anyone who is not a member of our Catholic faith or you are not a member yourself and have been thinking about joining the Church or if you just have questions, this is your time.  There is no obligation to join the Church but it does lead towards it.
 While these classes are gear towards those who are “new” to our faith, if you are Catholic and have questions or would like to learn more about our faith, you are also more than welcome to attend. 
 If you have any questions or would like to be part of a class please contact Deacon Mark (269) 792-6946.
 

The Mass is our greatest form of worship as Catholics. In this ancient rite, we come into contact with the one, perfect sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. This sacrifice is not repeated again and again, every day, but instead our Mass unites us with that great and everlasting event. We hear readings that call us to remember the works of God of long ago and how they continue to shape our lives. We hear the word, which is unendingly true and valid -- giving us a path to live as God has intended. We offer our prayers, trusting in God's goodness and concern for his people. We offer gifts, the work of our hands, in bread and wine, which will become Jesus, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. We prayerfully receive the creator of the heavens and the earth into our own mouths as we partake of the Holy Eucharist. We are then sent forth, renewed by this great gift, to live out our faith in the world.

Before Mass Begins

Prior to Mass, we should prepare ourselves. If this is worship of almighty God, we should not just go bumbling into it. Part of that preparation is to fast from all food or drink for one hour before receiving communion. This is to show respect for the God we receive as food at the Mass. One may drink water, or take medicines and not break this fast.

In a similar manner, we are called to quietly reflect for a few moments before Mass. For some, this may be the only quiet reflection time that they get in a while, so be respectful by not engaging in conversation in the Church.

The liturgy of the word consists of the prayers and readings prior to the offertory. We are called to listen to the word of God and integrate it into our lives. Readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament are important to us as Christians. The Old Testament prepares the way for Christ and gives prophecy for the eventual entrance of Jesus into our midst. The New Testament readings give us the teaching and example of Christ by which we are to live.

In the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offering of our gifts -- the bread and wine to be consecrated and our monetary assistance to the Church. The bread and wine are then Consecrated -- Christ is made present and the bread and wine are bread and wine merely in appearance (eg. taste, appearance, etc.) In their substance they are the Body and Blood of the Lord -- given that we might have spiritual life. We then receive this gift into our own bodies and are thus united to Christ in and special and profound way. To receive such a gift, we are to be prepared. We should not receive the Eucharist if we have serious sin on our soul -- if we do we should go to sacramental confession and receive absolution before we again receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. We should be prayerfully disposed to allow the Lord into our lives.