Becoming Catholic
Welcome to
St. Joan of Arc Church
You are welcome here.
Whether you are new or returning to the Church, please know you are welcome here. We hope and pray that you will find a spiritual home here at St. Joan of Arc. If you are interested in registering in our parish or becoming Catholic, use the Contact Us page and a staff member or the pastor will be in touch.
What is Catholicism?
The Catholic Church traces its roots to Jesus Christ and the Apostles. It is centered on faith in Christ, the Bible, the teachings of the Church, along with the Seven Sacraments. Ultimately, however, Catholicism is an encounter with a person Jesus Christ. Everything in the Church flows from Him.
Who is the Pope exactly?
From the very beginning, Christ gave Peter a unique role among the Apostles: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Mt 16:18). The Pope, as Peter’s successor, is the visible sign of unity for the Church.
Do Catholics pray to Mary and the saints?
Catholics do not pray to Mary or the saints; rather, they pray with the saints who can intercede for them before God. When Catholics say they are praying to this or that saint, what they really mean is they are asking for the prayers of that saint. Far from distracting us from God, Mary and the saints draw us more deeply into the divine life.
What are the Sacraments?
The Catholic Church groups the seven sacraments into three categories that reflect the shape of Christian life. The Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist— bring us into communion with Christ and his Church, cleansing, strengthening, and nourishing us. The Sacraments of Healing—Penance and Anointing of the Sick— reconcile us when sin or suffering wounds us, restoring us through Christ’s mercy and presence. The Sacraments at the Service of Communion—Holy Orders and Matrimony— are directed to the good of others, building up the Church through ordained ministry and the covenant of marriage. Far from being mere symbols, the sacraments are real encounters with Christ, who uses the ordinary elements of creation to draw us into divine life.
What is the Eucharist?
The word 'Eucharist' comes from the Greek word εὐχαριστία, or "eucharistía", meaning 'Thanksgiving'. At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the Eucharist at the first Mass when he used the elements of bread and wine that became the body and blood of Christ. Catholics maintain that during Masses today, when the priest says the prayers of consecration, those same elements transubstantiate into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.
Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest?
Sin is not there mere breaking of a rule; it wounds our relationship with God and with the Church. In Confession, Christ forgives and heals us through the words of the priest, who acts in His person. When the priest says “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," that person is restored to their Baptismal innocence.
