Jesus gathered his first followers with the simple invitation "come and see!" (John 1: 46)  The disciples found Jesus such a compelling figure that they left all they had and all they were to follow him, ultimately giving their lives for the faith they received.

   Jesus continues to call followers today and to lead them into a deeper relationship with himself.  This takes place first through the personal invitation of fellow Christians who have personally encountered the saving ministry of Christ.  To continue to grow in the faith, we are lead into fellowship with the Church which exists as "a school for Christians."  In this school, its members share the collected wisdom and knowledge of the human encounter with God, encourage fellow students in their pursuit of spiritual riches, and assist those in need through mutual aid, encouragement, and ministry... all under the watchful gaze of Christ, the Teacher.  Indeed, Jesus himself gives this dual mission of teaching and sanctifying to his Church has he commands his disciples to, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  (Matthew 27: 19)  Everything we do at Ss. Mary and Joseph Church is intended to further that dual mission to teach and sanctify, starting with the daily celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, where Christ himself reaches out to his people. 

   One of the challenges facing the contemporary Church is to reinvigorate the teaching mission for all ages.  Without this outreach, the Church takes on an air of being monolithic, inaccessible, and perhaps even anti-intellectual.

  At Ss. Mary and Joseph, we are addressing the need for basic-level adult formation through what we are calling the Catholic Gateway Course.  This course is meant to help adults 'brush up' on what they might (or might not) have been taught as children.  The course also invites adults who are not Catholic or who have not practiced their faith in sometime to inquire about what the Church teaches.  There is no obligation in attending the course, although those who are considering becoming Catholic are encouraged to make their interests and intentions known so that they can proceed into the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program after completing the Catholic Gateway Course.

   The course being taught in the Fall of 2009 runs for eight weeks, and will address the following topics (click on each of the topics for the class Powerpoint presentation; Powerpoint or the Powerpoint Viewer are required to see the files.)

   The course uses the text Catholicism for Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti as a resource and reference.  This text may be purchased at a substantial discount through the parish office while supplies last.  While purchasing the text is not absolutely necessary to participate fully in the course and learn its content, this text a good introductory treatment of what the Church teaches and believes, and how Catholics live out their faith.

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  The previous version of the "Catholic Gateway Course" held in the Spring of 2008 was called "We Believe" and ran for 10 weeks.  The Powerpoint presentations from this course are archived below: