BECOMING CATHOLIC: The Order of Christian Initiation
OCIA
OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation, is a formation program for individuals interested in
becoming Catholic. If you have not been baptized, the Christian Initiation process prepares you
to become a Catholic Christian by celebrating what we call the Sacraments of Christian
Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
If you have been baptized in another Christian tradition, the initiation process prepares you to
enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the Sacraments of
Confirmation and Eucharist or Holy Communion.
If you have a child over the age of 7 who is not baptized, please contact the Religious Education
Office. OCIA classes meet weekly. This process is the Church’s way to initiate new members.
The goal is to foster or deepen one’s conversion in the community of the Church of Jesus Christ
and the Kingdom that involves the preaching and teaching of the Gospel, prayer, spiritual
direction, catechesis (passing on the tradition of the Church) and direct contact with the
members of the Community. As a community, we are charged with the responsibility of sharing
our life with new members and offering them support and encouragement as they make their
faith journey. As a part of that support, we provide sponsors who can serve as spiritual
companions for those who seek membership in the Catholic Community.
The OCIA journey of faith culminates during Holy Week with the Baptism or Profession of Faith
of candidates during the Easter Vigil service. At that time, those who have made the entire
journey of knowledge and spiritual growth through the preceding months are welcomed into
the Church as full members of the faith community. Holy Week is a very special season in the
Church, and a very fitting time for receiving new souls into the Body of Christ. However, it is
only the beginning of a life lived in the holy endeavor to know Jesus Christ better and become more like Him in the service of others.
The journey of faith lasts a lifetime.
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT
Deacon Doug at:
Dcndougstaug@gmail.com
Please use the following links to submit your forms.
Sponsor Form:
Sponsor Form- Click Here
OCIA Forms / Documents uploader
OCIA Forms Uploader- Click Here