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Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Are you an adult interested in learning about the Catholic faith? Are you looking for a church? Perhaps you are considering becoming Catholic and would like to know the process? We at Jesus the Divine Word would like to assist you in your search for answers to questions you may have about the Catholic faith.
Contact Father John Dakes or Dcn Ron Burns and let them know you are interested in finding out more about becoming Catholic. You will also find some information below that might be helpful.
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OCIA is much more than a program. It is a learning process in which conversion of the heart brings one to Jesus Christ. It is an answer to the Gospel invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light." The OCIA process emphasizes personal conversion and a commitment to the Catholic way of life.
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The OCIA process is for four groups of people:
Those who were baptized in other faith traditions but now feel called to become Catholic.
Those who have never been baptized or do not belong to a faith tradition but now feel called to become Catholic.
Those who were baptized Catholic but never received Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
Those who have received both Catholic baptism and First Holy Communion but were never Confirmed.
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Period of Inquiry: Pre-Catechumenate This is a time for inquiry and introduction of the Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
Period of the Catechumenate: This is the time for the nurturing and growth of the catechumen's faith and conversion to God.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment: This is the time immediately preceding the elect's initiation. It is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.
Period of Mystagogy: This is the time, following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharist celebration.
The mission of the Church is to lead people to respond to God as best they can. Through the RCIA process we try to help people respond to God's call, not just for the moment of Baptism, but for every day of their life.
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The sessions (generally on Sundays) are free and imply no commitment on your part to join the Catholic Church. A ninety-minute class is held each week in which a key topic/area of teaching of the Church is shared. These topics include God, the Bible, the Sacraments, Prayer, Mass, Mary, and much more.
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