OCIA

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process of conversion that prepares adults to be received in to full communion with the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist--the Sacraments of Initiation. The process includes prayer, study, and catechesis (formal instruction). This process invites:

Adults who are not baptized and are seeking formal entry into the Catholic Church, adults who may have been baptized in another Christian tradition and desire to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Adults baptized in the Catholic Church but have not been associated with the church since that time and desire to receive the other Sacraments of initiation (Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) and wish to become full members of the Catholic Church.

The OCIA program runs from September through Easter. Classes are held weekly at St. Anthony School for our family of parishes.  For 2026-2027 classes will begin Monday, September 14th at 6:30pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OCIA?

RCIA stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.  This is the process by which the Catholic Church presents her teachings to a variety of people, most of whom are interested in joining the Church. It is a journey of conversion, intended for unbaptized adults and children of catechetical age. 

Baptized non-Catholic Christians that were never instructed in their faith may also be included in the process. They do not need to be baptized again, if they have been baptized with water in the words, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." You will need to provide us with your baptismal certificate as soon as possible. 

Do I have to attend every class?

OCIA is a building-block course and each class builds on the one before. However, we realize that there may be situations that would cause someone to miss. Therefore, absences are handled on a case-by-case basis. If you must miss a lesson, arrangements will be made for you to make up the session at another time.

What is the cost for attending OCIA?

There is no cost to you to attend OCIA.