Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 245.  Thu  2-06-92  9:43  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Lewis Bernhardt
 Subject: Becoming a Catholic

+-
| Dear Father,
| I plan to marry a Catholic girl this year. I am a Protestant and plan to
| convert to Catholicism. I haver not discussed this with her yet. But what
| would be the first steps, and what are the requirements. Thanks for your
| help.
| Lewis
+-[LB=>JP]
 
Dear Lewis
 
In contemplating entrance into the Catholic Church, the first thing one
must do is pray.  Conversion is a search for personal friendship with
God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.  We are God's household
and family, and communion with Him and among ourselves is the way we
live.  Begin to offer yourself and every action and suffering of your
day to God as a prayer:  "Whether you eat or drink or whatever else you
do, do all for the glory of God."  At the end of the day, thank Him for
everything and ask His pardon for any fault you have committed.
 
Begin to attend Mass on Sundays, without any exceptions.  If possible,
go sometimes or even daily to Mass.  Get a rosary, learn to pray it,
and use it often.  It is Our Mother Mary's favorite prayer.  Entrust
yourself to her care.  Be aware of your Guardian Angel, and talk to
him.
 
Get a Bible and begin a program of Bible reading.  Especially, become
very familiar with the four Gospels and the Book of Acts for starters.
(Acts is the history of the first years of the Catholic Church.)
 
Call at the pastor's house (the rectory) of the parish in which you
live.  Ask about the parish R.C.I.A. program (that means: Rite of
Christian Initiation for Adults).  To join the Church, one must
complete this program.  In some parishes, they have a two-year
R.C.I.A.; in others, only one year.
 
I suggest you write for two catalogs and examine them carefully.  They
contain many leaflets, booklets, books and tapes explaining our
Christian faith:
 
1) Catholic Answers
   P.O. Box 17181
   San Diego, CA 92177
 
2) St. Joseph Communications, Inc.
   P.O. Box 720
   West Covina, CA  91793
 
If there is a Catholic bookstore near you, visit it and browse.
You'll find much there to interest you.
 
                        Sincerely in Christ,
 
                        Father Mateo