Question 1

Is OCIA a class?

Accepted Answer

The Order of Christian Initiation is actually a series of liturgical celebrations (public church services) that mark someone’s journey toward full initiation in the Catholic Church. That journey has 4 major components:Formation - Some parishes do that as a closed group going through OCIA Classes. St. Michael the Archangel Family of Parishes offers formation in three ways. There is an open invitation session on Wednesday evenings called Commissioned in Christ (Many people choose to do this plus one of the other two).A Baptized Non-Catholic will work with a mentor through a program that the Family of Parishes has crafted.A Baptized Catholic will walk with a mentor through The Wild Goose.Accompaniment - Someone should have a sponsor through the process (if that person has a mentor this is usually the same person).Canonical - Canon Law is another way of saying Church Law. This component identifies if there is a need for a convalidation, what is someone's baptismal status, does permission from the Archbishop need to be sought, or does someone need a declaration of nullity. This includes the staff doing their due diligence to make sure that there is proper evidence when someone receives a sacrament.Liturgical - This is what happens in church. This component marks someone’s journey, invites the community to join that person, and ultimately is the moment of receiving the grace of the sacraments!

Question 2

What if I’m already a Baptized Christian?

Accepted Answer

Below are the times of year that you could be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. The expectations to set a date are listed after them. Spring - For Pentecost Sunday (May or Early June)Summer - on or near the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15)Fall - on or near Solemnity of All Saints (November 1)Winter - Baptism of the Lord (Early January)Easter Time - Divine Mercy Sunday (March-May)Expectations prior to setting a dateInquiry meeting completed to ensure nothing needs to be resolved prior to Reception into Full Communion (ex. Convalidation)Acquire and submit the evidence of prior Baptism availableIdentify and acquire a sponsorReceive formation through Commissioned in Christ Sessions, Parish Adult Faith Formation, and/or Parish Directed Mentorship.Complete the parish's discernment interview.If you need help understanding or completing any of these steps please contact Spencer or schedule a conversation.(shargadon@smafp.org | 937-426-1733 x6304 | Schedule)

Question 3

What if I’m already a Baptized Catholic but missed other sacraments?

Accepted Answer

If you have never made your first Confession or received Communion, communicate that as you talk with parish staff or the OCIA team. Below are the times of year that you could receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The expectations to set a date are listed after them. Spring - For Pentecost Sunday (May or Early June)Summer - on or near the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15)Fall - on or near Solemnity of All Saints (November 1)Winter - Baptism of the Lord (Early January)Easter Time - Divine Mercy Sunday (March-May)Expectations prior to setting a dateInquiry meeting completed to ensure nothing needs to be resolved prior to Reception into Full Communion (ex. Convalidation)Acquire a fresh Baptismal certificate from your parish of BaptismIdentify and acquire a sponsorReceive formation through Commissioned in Christ Sessions, Parish Adult Faith Formation, and/or Parish Directed Mentorship (The Wild Goose).Complete the parish's discernment interview.Allow for approximately 1 month for the parish to receive permission from the archbishop.If you need help understanding or completing any of these steps please contact Spencer or schedule a conversation.(shargadon@smafp.org | 937-426-1733 x6304 | Schedule)

Question 4

What if my child wants to become Catholic?

Accepted Answer

Children who are 7 or older and who have never been baptized in the Catholic Church go through an adapted process similar to adults and the parents should contact Spencer (shargadon@smafp.org | 937-426-1733 x6304 | Schedule).Children who were baptized in the Catholic Church but have not received the sacraments at the same time as their peers have a different process. Parents should contact the parish offices to be put in contact with the staff overseeing Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation.

Question 5

How does OCIA relate to Commissioned in Christ?

Accepted Answer

"Commissioned in Christ" is the only faith formation opportunity in the Family of Parishes with the explicit purpose of helping a non-Catholic understand what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church. As such, it is the primary, but not the only, avenue for non-Catholics to receive instruction as they discern their next steps in Initiation. It is not OCIA because that process is so much larger than a series of prayerful & instructional sessions -- no matter how well crafted they are. OCIA is a work of the entire parish.

Question 6

How can someone help with OCIA? What if I don't want to teach?

Accepted Answer

If I tried to offer an exhaustive list of how someone can help with OCIA it would take a long time! Let's reduce it to six formal ways and then we'll give a nod to five informal ways.Formal Ways:Catechist - We were all thinking about it so I'll just put it out there now. You could help with instruction. This is not for everyone, but if you are gifted in this way, we would love to have you.Core Team - Do you grasp the work of this ministry and want to help oversee one of its many facets?Mass Buddy - Imagine never having gone to Mass before in your life, then walking in not knowing anyone, not knowing what to do, and having everyone around you assume that you wouldn't be there unless you knew what you were doing. Now imagine, you know someone who will meet you at the church doors, sit with you during Mass, and help you follow along. That's it. Just someone to show you around the house of the Lord. You can do that! Please let me know if you want to be on my list as well as when and where you go to Mass so that I can share your name with my inquirers from your parish.Hospitality - Food, drink, a welcome face, excitement at someone's presence and an awareness that someone is in an unfamiliar space are things that we always need help with.Accompaniment - Before someone chooses to start this process they ought to know that being Catholic is about knowing, listening to, and serving Jesus Christ. Classes can tell them that, but can you show them? Would you be interested in meeting with an inquirer to listen, pray, read scripture, and share your witness?Prayer - I have saved the best for last. We need prayer. Prayer for our initiates, prayer for our team, prayer for our clergy, and prayer for those who don't yet know Christ and His Church. Would you like to be regularly given prayer intentions associated with this ministry?Informal Ways:Evangelization - If we aren't sharing the Gospel it will be the best kept secret that we actually have it.Catechesis - You can't teach what you don't know.Sacramental Life - To prioritize the sacramental life bears great fruit in our lives! It is also likely to spark conversations that can lead to evangelization which is done confidently because of your catechesis.Hospitality - Do we make it easy or difficult for newcomers to want to join us?Prayer - Any prayer for the holiness of our clergy, staff, families, parishioners, etc. helps us to bear witness and give glory to the Father.
If any of those were of interest to you, please contact Spencer Hargadon.

Question 7

Is it RCIA or OCIA?

Accepted Answer

This question arises because the church document governing how an adult becomes a fully initiated Christian in the Catholic Church has been revised. The title of the book was "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults," hence RCIA. The revised translation carries the title, "Order of Christian Initiation for Adults". Both books (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) are predominately liturgical books governing the process and don't establish a curriculum for the classes. We don't invite engaged couples to go to OHM (Order of Holy Matrimony); we ask them to go through Marriage Preparation.

Becoming Catholic (OCIA)

The OCIA Journey

for the unbaptized

01

Inquiry

02

Catechumenate

03

Purification

04

Mystagogy

Start Your Journey

OCIA Calendar

Frequently asked questions