OCIA | Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

Do you have curiosities or questions about the Catholic faith? Are you interested in participating in the Catholic Faith? Are you a Catholic adult and have yet to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then welcome! We gladly invite you to partake in this year’s OCIA class. Consider joining us on Wednesday and/or Thursday evenings for class formation and seminar sharing to explore, engage and learn more of a life shared with Christ Jesus in our Communion of Faith.

Depending on each person’s circumstances, classes will be held on Wednesdays (catechetical
instruction) or Thursdays (Scripture Study Seminar). On both nights, gatherings will be held
from 7pm to 8:30pm in the parish office adjacent to the church. Classes begin September 10th &
11th, 2025. Please remember, you do not make any commitment or obligation by inquiring about the
Catholic Faith or beginning the Christian initiation process. Also, if there are limitations which
prevent your attendance, or if you have come to the process late in the year, alternative options will
be discussed and may be provided.

What is OCIA?

OCIA is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is, principally, a delicate process of prayerful
discernment and instruction by which adults examine the heart and mystery of Jesus Christ and his
embodied family he founded in the Roman Catholic Church. After a discernible period of time (9-20
months), these persons (designated as catechumens) who follow this process to its conclusion are
anticipated to make their profession of faith in our parish community, and receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation & Holy Eucharist), becoming full members in Catholic Christian Communion. This most commonly occurs on the Easter Vigil each spring, however, it may occur at other appointed times as needed.

Secondarily, the process will also serve whomever has previously begun his/her Christian journey by
baptism in another denominational Christian community, and are prayerfully considering its
continuation in the Catholic Church. These brethren (designated as candidates) who consider full
communion in the Catholic Church will likewise engage in this formative process and make the
profession of faith with sacramental reception at an appointed time (likely Easter Vigil as well).

Thirdly, the OCIA program seeks to serve anyone (whether Catholic or non-Catholic) who
respectively wish to know and understand more of the Faith’s contents and teachings. These persons
may audit and participate at their leisure throughout the process. Curiosities from all corners are
graciously welcomed!

Registration

Before beginning the process as a catechumen or candidate, please complete the registration form in
the link provided, and contact the OCIA director, Fr. Jordan Willard, for further information. Likewise, please cc our Director of Religious Education (DRE), Anson Groves for registration purposes.