Mary Mother of God

Roman Catholic Church

Do you know someone who would like to hear more about becoming Catholic?

Are you, or someone you know:

• Unbaptized, but would like to be and receive the Sacraments of Initiations? (Baptism, First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.), or
• Baptized Catholic but have not been fully educated in the faith and never received your First Eucharist or Confirmation? or
• Baptized in another Faith and would like to become Catholic?

We extend an invitation to join us in our Inquiry Sessions.  Attending these fact-finding sessions DOES NOT lock one into a commitment to join the Catholic Faith family.  Inquiry sessions are opportunities to ask questions about God, Jesus, and the Catholic Faith, and to see this is something you would like to pursue.  Those who wish to continue to seek and explore are then included in the process of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults - OCIA.

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)

Becoming Catholic is one of life's most profound and joyous experiences. Some receive this gift as infants through the sacrament of Baptism, while others do this when they are older children or adults.

A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. Before this can occur, preparation is necessary. For those of 18 years or older, this preparation is done through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).

OCIA is a faith journey that includes Bible study, faith sharing, experiencing community, and learning about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. The following is a brief overview of the process:

• Inquiry Sessions – Held in August (and informally all year long). During these sessions, prospective participants are introduced to the Catholic faith and begin to decide whether or not to embrace it. 

• Formal Sessions – 34 to 36 Sundays between September 1st and the beginning of June. Participants attend the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays, then proceed to St. Francis Hall for facilitated study, discussion and fellowship until 12:30pm. Generally speaking, the 1st half of each session is spent on scripture-based study while the 2nd half is spent on the study of the Catholic Church and its teachings.

• Sacraments of Initiation – When it is discerned that participants are prepared and have progressed in their growth to and for a life in Christ, they move forward to the reception of the Sacraments.  The Sacraments of Initiation are administered each year during the Easter Vigil (evening before Easter Sunday).  The minimum preparation time is usually from one Lenten period through the next; however, the length of time is determined by the needs and spiritual growth of each individual.  

The OCIA process is used regardless of previous religious background and education, and whether or not the participant was previously baptized.

OCIA Adapted for Children

When children have missed much of ​the Children's Religious Education ​program, ​they may be admitted into an OCIA program that ​has been adapted for ​children.   This program is headed by ​Ms. Denise Ciccone-Slickers.

For More Information on OCIA

Individuals interested in learning more about OCIA should contact the program director Ms. Betty Buettner.