Order Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
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Did you know RCIA is now OCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church, has had a name change to Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, also know as OCIA. The change applies to both the process by which adults enter the church and the book that contains the liturgical text.
This change is a part of the continued effort to update liturgical texts to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin. The name change also reflects the understanding that the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is not a single rite, but rather a collection of liturgical rites used for persons who are entering the Catholic Church. The revised text of the OCIA was released December, 2024. -
Marriage and OCIA
If you were married in a civil ceremony or if you are
divorced and remarried, your circumstances must be
addressed before beginning the OCIA process with the Director of Faith Formation.
Divorced and not remarried: If you are divorced but not remarried, you are free to begin the OCIA process. An annulment may be required if you later choose to marry in the Catholic Church. Entry into the OCIA process for the sole purpose of marriage in the Church is discouraged.
Initiation into the faith is a life-long commitment and the decision should be made with much prayer.
To begin the marriage convalidation or annulment process, please complete the Convalidation FAQ on our parish website at Marriage Convalidation FAQ - St. Stephen Catholic Church - Riverview, FLWe also encourage you to register in the parish by completing the Parish online registration form. For more information about parish registration, please contact Diane Petro, Parish Secretary at the parish office, 813-689-4900 or email Diane at Diane@ststephencatholic.org New Parishioner Registration - St. Stephen Catholic Church - Riverview, FL -
OCIA Team
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Easter Vigil 2025
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Breaking Open God's Word
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Rite of Entrance & Welcoming 2026
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The OCIA Process at St. Stephen is year-round. We welcome you to inquire any time of year. A person's faith journey always begins with God's initiation. God's presence can feel like a knocking door, a curiosity, a sense of wonder, a longing for healing, and inner peace. Mysteriously, faith gradually changes from belief in something to belief in Someone with a desire to know that person even more.
OCIA Inquiry sessions begin May 16, 2026, at the Family Life Center, Room 4 following 8:30 morning Mass. If you have not had an opportunity to register, please complete the OCIA Registration/Information form below. Once your registration is received, we will contact you to set up an appointment to meet with you to go over the OCIA Process. If you have any questions, please contact Rosie Bridges at 813-671-4434 or Rosie@ststephencatholic.org
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults | USCCBParish Registration (Please complete the Parish Registration prior to completing the OCIA Information/Registration Form).
OCIA Information/Registration Form 2026-2027
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Thank you for allowing us to partner with you and your family on this beautiful journey.
The OCIA for Youth Teens is a Faith Formation Process designed to prepare teens for the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, First Holy Communion, and/or Confirmation. The process is for teens who are entering the 8th grade and high school. We ask parent participation by attending parent meetings and workshops.
Parents: If you would like to register your youth, please complete the OCIA Youth Process registration Form listed above. Once we receive the registration, we will set up an appointment to meet with you and your teen.
Forms Needed: Youth OCIA Registration Form, Sponsor Eligibility Form, Saint Form and $25.00 Retreat Fee (you can pay this retreat fee on our parish website under online giving). All paperwork and initial meeting are required before we begin our first session on September 20, 2026.
The Sessions will be held on Sunday morning following the 9:30 am Mass in Rooms 4 & 5.Parish Registration Parents, please complete the Parish Registration form, before registering for the OCIA Process
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THE JOURNEY OF FAITH - AN INVITATION THAT NEVER ENDS!
A person's faith journey always begins with God's initiation. God's presence can feel like a knocking door, a curiosity, a sense of wonder, a longing for healing, and inner peace. Mysteriously, faith gradually changes from belief in something to belief in Someone with a desire to know that person even more.
The Church offers the opportunity to become acquainted with the Scriptures, its traditions, and the Christian life, for those who have questions about the Catholic faith. This is the beginning of the process called OCIA.A Journey of Discovery into the Catholic Faith - What is the OCIA Process?
- Unbaptized (catechumen)
- Baptized Christian (candidate)
- Baptized Catholic without First Eucharist and Penance (candidate)
Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? God invites each of us into a deeper relationship with Him in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Whatever led you to this moment, our hope is that you will respond to God’s call.The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a process for bringing into the Catholic Church both those who have never been baptized (Catechumens) and those who were baptized in a non-Catholic Church (Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church). OCIA also includes adult baptized Catholics who have not completed the Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Unbaptized (catechumen) - Those who are not baptized will celebrate their Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Baptized Christian (candidate) - Those who are baptized are brought into Full Communion of the Catholic Church during the year.
Baptized Catholic without First Eucharist and Penance - (candidate) - OCIA also includes adult baptized Catholics who have not completed the Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Do you know someone who has asked questions about the Catholic Faith? Invite them to find out more about our OCIA Process here at St. Stephen. Or a non-Catholic simply interested in learning more about the Catholic faith? The goal of the OCIA process is the preparation of adults who wish to enter the Roman Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. You will learn about the beliefs, practices, and truths of our Catholic faith with a focus on spiritual growth. Our gatherings are held on Sunday morning beginning with Mass at 9:30 a.m. After Mass we gather together at the Family Life Center.Role of a Sponsor: We Need You!
Godprent/Sponsor Eligibility Form in Word
Sponsors: Are you interested in volunteering to become a sponsor, being someone's companion on their spiritual journey?
If you would like to sponsor (be a companion) for a person coming into the Church, you are required to be at least 16 years of age and a confirmed practicing Catholic and if married, married in the Catholic Church. Please consider a rewarding ministry and discover how much you will learn as you walk with your candidate on this beautiful journey. Please allow us to welcome you!
Please click to email Rosie at Rosie@ststephencatholic.org
Office of Faith Formation OCIA Information/Registration -
OCIA Photos 2025-2026
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