Catechesis

Catechism: Christian Education for Adults

Every year in the Fall, the Cathedral begins again its annual program of Christian education to prepare adults for the rites and sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation and reception.

Catechism is for adult individuals who are new to the Church, are returning after a long absence, or are coming to the Anglican Church from another denomination.

The course typically runs for nine months, from September to June. At the Cathedral, in keeping with ancient Christian tradition, adults are baptized and confirmed once a year at the Easter Vigil.

Catechism 2010 begins September 14, 2010. Please contact The Reverend Lisa Wang at 416-364-7865x249 or by email if you are interested in registering for this year's class.

Course Content

From September to November, students learn the basics of the Christian faith through a study of the four gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the Apostles' Creed, gaining familiarity with the Bible and with primary Christian doctrines.

From January to April students read the remaining texts of the New Testament, and learn more about the history of early Christianity and of the Anglican Church, and about how the way the Church structures its worship - the feasts, fasts and seasons of the Christian year - helps us enter into the reality of what Jesus has done for us.

This part of the course culminates in the Easter celebration of the sacraments and rites of Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation or reception) by which the "catechumens" are given the grace to offer their lives to Jesus as a new creation and members of His body, the Church.

From May to June, catechumens who have just been baptized, confirmed, or received at Easter learn how to grow spiritually in the Christian life they have renewed or begun, through a life of prayer, worship, witness and service, grounded in the word of God and the sacramental life of the Church. They also continue studying the Bible by reading the major books of the Old Testament.

What people are saying about Catechism at St. James

"We felt a solid sense of community, belonging, and deepened understanding."

"I feel closer to knowing Jesus after our journey in this class."

"I feel like a new person. My eyes have been opened and I live with renewed hope and joy."

"It amazes me how this wonderful group of people has come together, purely by chance, and how we have each grown through this experience. For me it has reconnected me to my faith in a whole new light."

"We felt a solid sense of community, belonging, and deepened understanding."

"I feel closer to knowing Jesus after our journey in this class."

"I feel like a new person. My eyes have been opened and I live with renewed hope and joy."

Confirmation

The Church encourages baptized people who find themselves at a significant turning point in their spiritual journey to solemnly renew their baptismal vows and receive the strengthening gifts of the Holy Spirit through the laying-on-of-hands by the bishop.

This sacramental rite is appropriate for

· those baptized at a young age who are now ready to make a personal and mature commitment to Christ and his Church;

· those who come to the Anglican Church from another Christian tradition;

· or those who are returning to active church life after a significant absence.

Depending on a person’s circumstances the rite is variously known as Confirmation, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows or Reception into the Anglican Communion.