Order of Christian Initiation

St. Stephen Catholic Church Faith Community

Welcomes You! 

Year Round OCIA Process

Journey to Faith

What is OCIA?

The Order of Catholic Initiation for Adults recognizes that God stirs each of us in a unique way and that we recognize this stirring at our own pace.  It supports the personal and sometimes delicate nature of each person's journey toward understanding their relationship with God and their Church. The OCIA process provides each participant with opportunities to experience the richness of the Church and then, through discussion and exploration, helps them to better understand God's call in their life and the ways they can respond to it. Along the entire way they are supported by sponsors, OCIA team members, other parish ministries, and the entire parish and diocesan community.

OCIA Adapted for Children and Youth

This program, which is very similar to OCIA, is for non-baptized children and youth age 7 and older. It is also designed for baptized youth grade 8 and older who have not yet received First Eucharist.

What are the steps to becoming Catholic?

OCIA is organized into four distinct steps, each intended to give the candidate growing exposure to the Church and parish community's beliefs and culture and to help them better understand God's personal call in their own life.  The first step, called "Inquiry" or "Pre-catechumenate", is about story telling and getting comfortable. The group meets Sunday morning at the Church at 11:00 am and, while there are many opportunities to discuss and learn about the Catholic faith, the focus of these Inquiry sessions is on helping people relax and get comfortable with the process. 

Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens

After a person has completed the inquiry process they are prepared to enter the catechumenate.   This takes place in a beautiful ceremony highlighted by the Rites of Welcoming and Acceptance. These are the first of several rites that will mark their journey in the months ahead. The Rites of Welcoming and Acceptance also mark the beginning of a more formal education and formation process - the Catechumenate.

Period of the Catechumenate

The Catechumenate meet each Sunday in association with the parish Mass. Its goal is to create an environment where the individuals can tune into the stirring that brought them to the OCIA process in the first place. It accomplishes this in several ways - reading and discussion of the scriptures, sharing of faith and life experiences, exploration of Catholic tradition, ritual and prayer, and stewardship. As the individuals open themselves to the OCIA experience they often find themselves growing in unexpected ways. Old ideas and priorities are reevaluated and things that didn't seem important at first take on dazzling new meaning.

Rite of Sending Rite of Election – non-baptized Call to Continuing Conversion  - baptized As the time approaches each member of the Catechumenate has the opportunity to take the third step in the OCIA process. This step begins with a celebration - the Parish and the Diocese celebrate God's choice of the catechumens to become members of His Church.

Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

All the pieces are brought together at this beautiful liturgy and the individuals are drawn into the eternal community of God by the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.

For more information about the OCIA Process, we welcome you to contact our Religious Education Office, Rosie Bridges, 671-4434, Ext. 321.  rbridges@ststephencatholic.org

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