INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT BECOMING CATHOLIC? – THEN OCIA IS FOR YOU! – OCIA stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or RCIA) and it is the way those persons interested in the Roman Catholic faith learn about the religion and join our community of believers. The process of OCIA traces its roots back to the earliest days of Christian communities, when all members shared their faith with newcomers as a way of teaching them about the new Way – The Way of Jesus the Risen Lord.
The OCIA process is comprised of:
- Catechumen, those who have never been baptized and want to learn more about Catholicism;
- Candidates, those who were baptized in another religion and now desire to be Catholic; and
- Sponsors, those Catholics who have offered to walk with the Catechumen and Candidates in their part of their faith journey.
Before the Order of Christian Initiation as we know it today was defined nearly 50 years ago, people who wished to learn more about the faith and become Catholic met with a parish priest for individual instruction and formation. Today members of our community share in the privilege and responsibility of communal spirit, teaching and faith sharing.
If you are at least 18-years-old and want to know more about becoming Catholic, please contact Donna McDonough by calling the parish office at 708-349-0903 or sending her an email at dkncpl@aol.com. And if you know someone who is thinking about becoming Catholic, please tell them about OCIA and direct them get in touch with Donna.
OCIA classes will begin in September at St. Michael Parish.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
This is the responsibility of each and every one of us.