OCIA – Becoming Catholic

Welcome to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation)

Are you interested in learning about the Catholic Church, in what we believe and how we seek to live our faith in Jesus Christ?  If you would like to take steps to join us in faith, you are invited to contact the parish office. You may speak to one of our priests or a member of the pastoral staff.

Those unfamiliar with the Catholic faith and have not been baptized, are usually invited to participate in a process of  formation in the parish which may take several months, culminating with the sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) at the annual Easter Vigil.  This process is called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

Those who are already baptized in other Christian denominations, but who would like to enter into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church, generally follow a similar process, though it may be shorter in duration. Those already baptized complete their Christian initiation in the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.

We are always eager to share our faith and so, welcome your inquiry!  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

The Faith Journey:

  • honours and respects all faith experiences while inviting those involved to deepen their faith.

 

 

  • is a spiritual journey of conversion. It is made up of distinct periods of inquiry,  instruction and  preparation for the sacraments of initiation. It is a gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful, with three steps that mark the end of one period and the beginning of another.
  • is about Relationships. The journey focuses on entering into a relationship with God in Christ, changing lives, and becoming part of a community of faith. The participants are guided by parish team, sponsors,  godparents and the entire parish.

OCIA for Adults

The journey of faith    into the way of life as disciples of Jesus Christ is a process.

 This is not a program of courses. It is a process marked by periods of inquiry and growth in faith. It is a period of preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation. As with the best of life’s journeys, it is shared with others who are  travelling on the same path. Come, be our companions on the journey!

When do we meet?

Beginning on September 13, 2023, we meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm upstairs at the church in the St. John Paul II Room

During Lent we have Sunday Dismissals—at 11am Mass, where we gather to hear the liturgy of the word (scripture), then discuss the meaning of the  readings.

It is expected that everyone should be present at every session because we journey as a group.

Contact Darlene For More Info

Darlene Lemay is our OCIA Coordinator, and would be happy to answer any questions, and begin discussing your journey of becoming Catholic.

OCIA for Families

Candidates for this program are children between the ages of seven and eighteen that have not been baptized.

The process of initiation of children into the Catholic Church has been adapted from the Adult Rite of Initiation (OCIA).   The focus is on formation of the whole family growing in relationship with Christ.  The development of faith in our children is unique, therefore the instruction and influence of parents is crucial.  As part of this process, we depend on the parents’ commitment to bring their child to church and the various celebrated Rites.  At the Easter Vigil Mass the children/youth receive the three initiation sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Candidates for OCIA Adapted for Families are:

  • Not baptized as infants.
  • of the age of reason, which by Cannon Law is suggested to be about the age of seven.
  • seeking Christian initiation on their own with parental permission or under the direction of their parents or guardian

Contact Beatriz For More Info

Beatriz Fernandez coordinates OCIA for Families and would be happy to answer any questions, and begin discussing your journey of becoming Catholic.

Important Dates to Remember: