OCIA - Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
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What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formally known as RCIA) is the process for adults who desire to join the Catholic faith and those seeking more information on the Catholic Church. OCIA can also be a method for Catholics to complete their reception of the initiation sacraments. The manual in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults states that the rite is designed for adults “who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God.” The manual also states when speaking about those in the process, “By God’s help, they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time receive the sacraments fruitfully.”
St. Mary Church offers OCIA classes for those who hear the “mystery of Christ’ and “seek the living God.” The overall goal of the class offered by St. Mary is to provide participants with a substantial introduction to the teachings, traditions, and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Our OCIA formation classes will help inspire the participants to live an active and faithful Catholic life. St Mary offers weekly classes that explain Catholic doctrine and faith while also addressing other Catholic topics that are current or important to those interested in the Catholic Church. Our OCIA classes are designed to help participants encounter Jesus through their study, reflection, and discussion of the Catholic Church.
OCIA at St. Mary is a year-round process. This is the perfect time to join, for it is never too early or late to inquire about the Catholic faith. The class meets every Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Parish Center basement. We at St. Mary's Church are ready to reach out to anyone interested in exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic and to welcome those who wish to become part of our faith community. There is never any pressure or obligation to become Catholic.
Please contact Mona Jaeger to set up an introductory meeting. This meeting will provide you with more specific information about the OCIA process.
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Contact Us
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Mona Jaegerociastmarymtangel.orgOCIA Coordinator
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parishcoordinatorstmarymtangel.orgParish Coordinator
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Team Page
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Who is OCIA for?
- Anyone interested in exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic
- Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith
This would include:
- Someone who has never been baptized.
- Someone who has been baptized in another faith tradition, but who has an interest in the Catholic faith.
- A person who has been baptized a Catholic, but has not received all of their initiation sacraments (Holy Communion and/or the sacrament of Confirmation)
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OCIA: When and Where?
OCIA classes are year round. Inquiry classes are every Thursday (except holidays) from 6:30-7:30pm in the Parish Hall, lower level. Catechumen classes are also on Thursdays at the same time.
Full initiation into the Church occurs in stages and includes the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The initiation process is meant to respect the developmental nature of faith growth. It incorporates the catechetical and liturgical stages in a one or two-year process that allows the candidates to become sensitive to God’s invitation to love, to become familiar with the teaching of the Church, and to experience the community dimension of the Church. The members of St. Mary parish share this journey of faith through their prayer, witness, and companionship.
Children who have reached the catechetical age (usually the age of 7) are appropriate candidates for the OCIA process, which in our Parish, we do with their parents, if the parents are coming into the church or in a separate class as needed.Participation in the OCIA process begins with gathering initial family information, followed by an interview with the candidate. OCIA formation classes begin at various cycle points throughout the year.
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