BUILDING STRONG FAITH-FILLED FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

OCIA

ALL ARE WELCOME!

We are glad you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.  Over a billion people call the Catholic Church home!  For each individual, the path to seeking, knowing, and becoming Christ is unique.  The Church recognizes the importance of this journey; of opening our hearts to Jesus and the supernatural life with God that we are called to share through His mercy and grace amid our daily lives.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or OCIA, is a process and not a program.  The process could take a year or more, culminating with the receiving of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.  The OCIA process is a series of carefully planned stages, marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community.

OCIA welcomes those unbaptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition, and those never catechized.  OCIA leads to the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism (if not already baptized), Confirmation, and Eucharist.  This journey is individualized to the participants' needs.  Throughout the process, we not only learn about concepts such as the Trinity, the person and divinity of Jesus, the Mass, the sacraments, God's Word, prayer God's love in His salvation plan, and social teachings of the Church, but we also discover what it means for the fullness of life.

Throughout the process, catechumens and candidates reflect on the paschal mystery, are led to a life with the Holy Spirit, and are transformed into a life with Christ.  If you are already baptized in another faith tradition but catechized and attending Mass, this process can be shortened in what is called the Reception into Full Catholic Communion.  If you are a baptized Catholic who has received the Eucharist, we can begin a process of Adult Confirmation.  We begin the journey where you are in your faith formation, any time of the year!

If you are interested in learning more or know someone who may be interested in this process, please contact Kathi Andreoni at kathiandreoni@gmail.com or call the parish office to schedule a time to get together.