OCIA is a beautiful, supportive journey for those interested in exploring the Catholic faith. It is a community process filled with shared Catholic teachings, prayer, Scripture studies, spiritual formation, and holy rituals.
Stage 1: Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry)
This is an open, relaxed "Come and See" time—a period dedicated to asking your honest questions, exploring the Lord, the Catholic faith, and getting to know the Church structure.
Stage 2: Catechumenate
Those who wish to continue after their initial inquiry are formally welcomed into the parish community. You will begin a deeper study of Jesus, the Sacraments, Catholic morality, and what it looks like to live out the faith daily.
Stage 3: Purification and Enlightenment
Taking place during Lent, the Church asks those who have discerned a calling to make their final step. Lent acts as an intense period of spiritual prayer and heart preparation leading up to initiation.
Stage 4: Sacraments Of Initiation
The pinnacle of the journey! At the beautiful Easter Vigil Mass, Catechumens (unbaptized) and Candidates (already baptized) are baptized or received into Full Communion, confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist for the very first time.
Stage 5: Mystagogia
Spanning the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, this joyful time is spent unfolding the ultimate meaning of the Easter Sacraments and helping our newest Catholics comfortably find their unique place in our parish family ministries.