By Mary Lackie

“Either you decide that you want to become a Catholic, or you don’t. It’s as simple as that,” said A. M. Seaver, a convert and parishioner of the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Seaver, who will be confirmed July 6, attended the last in a series of Inquiry Classes at the Cathedral rectory. Twenty members of the discussion group reviewed study topics and prepared for their reception into the Church on June 28.

When members were asked what attracted them to the Church, their answers centered on three main reasons: liturgical changes in the Mass, the example of their Catholic friends and clergy, a desire for guidelines and discipline.

One woman in the class said it took her a year to make the decision. “I started out reading the encyclopedia and studying different religions. The Catholic Church enthralled me. I bought a missal and started to read it even before I began attending Mass. When the Mass was all in English, it excited me greatly to watch, feel, and think rather than just sit there and read,” Miss Jeanne Boland said.

Another member of the class said, “The Latin was pretty, but now the Mass is more meaningful.” Others commented that they felt closer to God and receive a spiritual strength. One woman said, “If the Mass had been in Latin, I would never have gone back again.”

Several Catholics attended the classes with their friends and fiancés. One man said, “I had 12 years of Catholic education. I thought the class would be dry and uninteresting; the same old things I had learned in my school years. But this has been an open discussion.”

Karl Druffner, a Catholic, said the doctrines of the Church have not changed and the fullness of the sacraments are still there. But, since Vatican II, some of the trappings have changed. “The attitude towards mixed marriages has changed. I think the Church is coming to realize that marriage is something between two people, not something the Church ‘bestows.’”

He said probably there are experiments that will have to be tested out, and cited the de-emphasis of novenas and benediction. “This is to be expected. These devotions will come back, but no doubt some people were misusing them. I came to a deeper understanding of the faith and there were others who came for the same reason.”

Members of the class decide for themselves when they are ready to be received into the Church. Ten members plan to continue instructions when the inquiry classes resume in September.

“The group has agreed that a ‘follow-up’ is very necessary. There are definite plans to form a New Catholic Club which will meet monthly for a combination study and social program,” said Father Vincent J. Pendergast, discussion moderator.

The new members will be received into the Church on Friday, June 28 at 9 p.m. in the Cathedral. There will be a special Mass and Communion at noon, June 29. Parishioners and friends are invited to attend and welcome the new members into the community, Father Pendergast said.