Becoming Catholic/OCIA
Becoming Catholic
Are you looking to become Catholic and are:
- Baptized Catholic but have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist
- Baptized in another Christian domination
- Or unbaptized?
Then OCIA is for you! OCIA, which stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. OCIA instruction is for
It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments, which could include Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
The three sacraments of Christian initiation –Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist – closely combine to bring us, the faithful of Christ, to his full stature and to enable us to carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the Church and in the world.
If a person has 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).
- Baptism – Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s people. This first sacrament pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit.
- Confirmation – Hence we are called and are indeed the children of God. By signing us with the gift of the Spirit, confirmation makes us more completely the image of the Lord and fills us with the Holy Spirit, so that we may bear witness to him before all the world and work to bring the Body of Christ to its fullness as soon as possible.
- Eucharist (Holy Communion) – Finally, coming to the table of the Eucharist, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man so that we may have eternal life and show forth the unity of God’s people. By offering ourselves with Christ, we share in the universal sacrifice, that is, the entire community of the redeemed offered to God by their High Priest, and we pray for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that the whole human race may be brought into the unity of God’s family.
Classes typically run from October – Easter Vigil. Registrations after the start date, for those wanting to enter the class, will be decided on by a case-by-case basis.
Please note: Not all participants who complete the preparation can be invited to receive the Sacraments at Easter Vigil; this is dependent upon each person’s readiness and eligibility.
Those individuals who must delay their reception of the sacrament, upon satisfaction of the preparation and/or other issues successfully resolved, will be notified of the next available celebration of the Sacraments.
Interested adults should fill out our form by clicking the below button or contact the Parish Office with questions at (920) 921-0580 ext. 501.
Welcoming New Catholics at Easter Vigil
