The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation. OCIA is for adults at least 18 yrs. of age.
OCIA is comprised of a cycle of classes from fall to spring, led by Mary Ann Przybysz. Candidates, along with their sponsors and the OCIA team, build a learning relationship designed for inquiry and understanding. It’s a chance to learn what it means to be Catholic, to ask provocative questions, grow in faith, and to ultimately receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation.
It is a process which enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The OCIA process is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants.
Initial conversations between seekers and the OCIA Coordinator begin at any time a person feels led to inquire. OCIA inquiry sessions begin around mid-June. Once a commitment is made to becoming Catholic, OCIA meets weekly on Sunday mornings from fall through spring. The Sacraments of Initiation occur at the Easter Vigil.