Becoming Catholic - OCIA

Becoming Catholic—the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is for any adult who is coming into the Catholic faith brand new or from another faith tradition. We also welcome those Catholics who would like to further their faith journey in receiving First Communion or Confirmation, as well as those who maybe just want to learn more about the faith.

Sessions are be held Monday nights at 7pm at St. Alphonsus in the Family Center.

Our OCIA team of Father Parrish and Daniel Pelfrey, along with Parish team members, meet all year to prepare adults to enter the Catholic Church. Any and all are welcome to attend.

The OCIA process has four stages:

• Pre-Catechumenate - a time of asking questions and making inquiry into the Catholic Faith.
• Catechumenate - a time of spiritual and continued growth and learning.
• Enlightenment/Purification - a time during Lent spent in preparation to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter seasons. Reaching this stage can take months or years, depending on the person and their personal faith journey.
• Mystagogia– a time to reflect on what has happened in one’s faith journey, reach out to others and to connect with the parish and greater Catholic community. This stage can last one’s entire life!

Those interested in joining should reach out to Daniel Pelfrey the Coordinator for Evangelization and Faith Formation for more information -- email to ceff@stjohnsea.org.