Understanding
(O.C.I.A.) Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
 

OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

 

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

 

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

 

OCIA is a Faith Journey

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Your faith Journey starts with a meeting and paperwork. We will need your religious background information and a copy of your baptismal record or certificate, if it exists.  Finally, we will ask you questions about you -- who you are, where you are from, your interests, what brought you here.  These help us get to know you so we can truly help you through this process. In addition, we will need to completely understand your marital history so we can determine if there is a need for an annulment or convalidation.

 

It continues with a two-fold commitment -- to the process itself and to having an open heart and mind.  Throughout the process, there are weekly classes, various rites (Church services/celebrations), and Mass attendance.  As such, we are asking you to commit to these regular meetings, which may mean giving up something for a time that may be in conflict with our meetings.  Know that the sacrifice would be for a limited time and that it will be worth the effort. Our sessions are held at St. Andrew on Thursday evenings in the gathering space from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm​. The first session begins on the Thursday following Labor day in September. As you go through the process we invite you to join the parish family in other activities, from bible studies, gatherings, choir, gardening, charitable works and much more.

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I look forward to meeting you all. Can't wait to see how the Holy Spirit inspires and sets you on fire this year and many more years to come. 

Margaret Kozak