They may be encountering the Gospel for the first time. In addition to wanting to know the teachings of the Faith, they want to see what living the Faith and being part of the Church is all about. For those who were never baptized, the Church offers the opportunity to become acquainted with the Faith, the Church, and Christian life. People move from one stage to the next if and when they are ready. Here at Fordham, persons involved in the program of Christian Initiation gather weekly for prayer and discussion, join in Sunday Mass, and have several opportunities for retreats.
People involved in the process include coordinators, catechists, candidates, and their sponsors.
They learn from each other, and over the course of the year they form a close community. The purpose of any program of Christian initiation is to allow people the opportunity to deepen their encounter with Christ and the Catholic community. More is involved than merely learning a creed. In this process, candidates are invited to share in the beliefs, life, liturgy, and works of service of the Church. The normal time for persons seeking baptism to receive this sacrament is Easter.