What is OCIA?
About
OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
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At the Easter Vigil Mass every year, we joyfully welcome adults who wish to become Catholic by receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. The journey of OCIA is the process by which adults come to understand, accept, and live the central message of the Catholic Faith.
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During this journey, we are invited to understand and believe that we were created by God, we are loved by God, and we are fully known by God. God desires to love us through all of eternity, and all we need to do is say “yes”. Through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, we have gained eternal life, and through the grace of the sacraments, we are strengthened to live more deeply in Christ.
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Would you like to take this journey, or have a loved one with whom you would like to share this message?
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The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults - OCIA - is the journey in faith offered to adults. It is a process appropriate for people aged 18 and up who are unbaptized, baptized in a different Christian denomination, or baptized Catholic but not yet received the other sacraments of initiation – Confirmation and/or First Holy Communion.
Who joins the journey?
The decision to join the Catholic Church is personal for everyone. Many people choose to join the Church because of a desire for Christ and His Sacraments. Some become interested in OCIA when they approach a milestone in their life, such as planning a wedding to a Catholic. They would like to start their marriage with both partners being of the same faith. Some, who are already married, find that they would like to be a family that worships together. A non-Catholic parent may find their interest in Catholicism growing on the occasion of a child’s First Holy Communion. Others have had a personal experience of faith leading them to find out more. Some are baptized Catholics who never received religious instruction in their youth and would like to share fully in the sacramental life of the Church.
Is this journey for me?
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All religious backgrounds are welcome. No formal religious education is required prior to joining OCIA.
The OCIA process, coordinated by a team of clergy, staff. and parishioners, involves participants in weekly sessions. The format includes prayer, reading texts, watching video presentations, and the questioning and sharing of information – especially material from the Bible and from Catholic tradition and teaching. The order includes various experiences during meetings and in church, at Mass.
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This is a process of discernment - there is never any pressure to join the Catholic Church at OCIA.
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Regular attendance is important. When one must miss a meeting due to illness, travel, business, or other emergency, access will be given to the missed material. But much of the process of OCIA is centered on sharing our faith journeys with one another as we form a community of faith and witness. This is a journey that will change the way you live and what you believe. It takes time and effort.
