What is OCIA?

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the new name for what used to be called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Although the name is a little different, the process is much the same.  OCIA is for those persons who desire to learn more and perhaps become an active member of the Catholic Church and have not received the 3 sacraments of initiation. These sacraments are: baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. The OCIA process is for those seeking baptism, those baptized in other non-Catholic Churches, and Catholics who have not been confirmed nor received first Holy Communion. The term "adult" refers to anyone that is 7 years of age or older.

El Ritual de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (RICA) es para aquellas personas que desean convertirse en un miembro activo de la Iglesia Católica y no han recibido los 3 sacramentos de iniciación, Estos sacramentos son: bautismo, confirmación y la Eucaristía. El proceso de RICA is para ésos que se buscan ser bautisados, aquellos bautizados en otras denominaciones y los católicos que no han confirmado ni recibió la primera comunión. El término "adulto" se refiere a cualquier persona que de 7 años de edad o más.

OCIA is designed for those persons who:

• have not been baptized and are at least 7 years of age
• have been baptized in another Christian religion and are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church
• for baptized Catholics, 18 years of age or more, who have not received Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Church
• for a non Catholic that is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith

What is involved in the process?

OCIA will begin whenever someone is interested in learning more about this journey toward communion with the Catholic Church and what the beliefs of the Church actually are. Until someone starts in the weekly meeting times in the fall of each year, they would meet in ways tailored to where they are in this journey. This can be determined by a meeting with the priest or the director of OCIA.

In the fall of each year, the OCIA group starts meeting weekly from September until a few weeks after Easter. The English speaking group meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 pm for adults and teens, and 6:30 to 8:00 pm for children, in the parish center. The Spanish speaking group usually meets at the same time in the parish center or on Sundays, depending on scheduling. The 3 sacraments - baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist - are received by the OCIA candidates during the Easter Vigil. The sacraments are celebrated as a group (OCIA) and everyone that goes through OCIA will have received all 3 sacraments by the time we are finished with the Easter Vigil and our classes. The parish community is in attendance and participates at the Easter Vigil as well.

RICA comenzará cuando alguien esté interesado en aprender más sobre este camino hacia la comunión con la Iglesia Católica y cuáles son realmente sus creencias. Hasta que alguien comience en las reuniones semanales en el otoño, se reunirán de forma adaptada a su etapa en este camino. Esto se puede determinar con una cita con el sacerdote o la directora de RICA.

En el otoño cada año, el grupo de RICA comienza a reunirse semanalmente desde Septiembre hasta unas semanas después de la Pascua. El grupo de inglés se reúne el Martes por la tarde de 7:00 a 8:00 pm para adultos  y jóvenes, y 6:30 a 8:00 pm para niños, en el centro parroquial. El grupo de español usualmente se reúne al mismo tiempo en el centro parroquial o los Domingos, dependiendo de los horaríos. Los 3 sacramentos - bautismo, confirmación y la Eucaristía - se reciben por los candidatos de RICA durante la Vigilia Pascual. Los sacramentos se celebran como un grupo (RICA) y todos los que pasan por RICA habrán recibido los 3 sacramentos al final de la Vigilia Pascual y al terminar nuestras clases. La comunidad parroquial asiste y participa en la Vigilia Pascual también.

How Can I Learn More?

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church through the OCIA process, please call the OCIA Director, Karen Pontious 275-4204 or contact the Parish Office at the same number.