O.C.I.A
Meets @ 7pm on Thursdays (Religious Ed center)
what is O.C.I.A.?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is a restoration of an ancient process for incorporating unbaptized persons into Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It was restored to highlight the fact that the newly baptized are received into a community of faith, which is challenged to realize that they too have become different because of this new life in the community. This process is for those who are looking into becoming Catholic or for those who are interested in learning more about what the Church teaches. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices. There are also many opportunities to ask all of the lingering questions that you may have along the way. Listed below are the steps in the process:
STEP 1: Rite of Acceptance: Candidates are publicly welcomed into our Catholic faith community as "catechumens" ; they “declare their intention to the Church and the Church, in turn, accepts them as persons who intend to become its members.”
STEP 2: Rite of Election: Catechumens are accepted as willing and prepared for immediate initiation into full membership in our Catholic faith community.
STEP 3: The Sacraments of Initiation: the Elect receive the three Sacraments of Initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. These three Sacraments of Initiation are most appropriately received as part of the Easter Vigil Services. Those who have already been baptized and/or ordained in another Christian Church, do not re-receive this sacrament. Such candidates undergo a rite of full communion into the Catholic Church community.
If you are interested in beginning the OCIA process, please fill out the form below.