OCIA

WHAT IS OCIA?

The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), formerly known as RCIA, also called the Catechumenate, is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation.

It is a process which enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The OCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants.

Who is OCIA for?

• Non-Catholics who want to find out more about the Catholic Faith
• Those who want to join the Catholic Church through Baptism, or Profession of Faith
• Those who were baptized Catholic as infants but never received religious education, Confirmation, or First Eucharist.

For more than 2,000 years, established by Jesus Christ himself, the Catholic Church has safeguarded and
handed down to each generation the fullness of the Christian faith. We invite you to bring your questions
to Jesus. Healing, forgiveness, and peace are available to you in the Catholic Church. Jesus is knocking — will you answer?

If you are interested in becoming a Catholic or learning more about OCIA, please contact Mike & Yvonne McGee at (717)354-4685 or email [email protected]

What is OCIA Like?

OCIA candidates and the team meet weekly for a time period roughly spanning a school year ~ September through May. The evening meetings are very informal and involve a video lesson pertaining to a topic of faith and church teachings, followed by discussion snack and social time. Fr. Steve often joins us as we meet.

The first meetings address issues such as the existence of God, intro to prayer, the Trinity, the Bible and the Saints. Around Thanksgiving, our focus centers on the Mass and the Sacraments. As we move closer to Lent, we begin to talk about our rights and responsibilities ~ social justice, morality, the concepts of what it means to be a Catholic Christian.

OCIA catechumens (individuals who haven’t ever been baptized) and candidates (individuals who have been baptized in a Protestant faith) are received into the church at the Easter Vigil Mass. We continue to meet for about another month after their reception into the Church, talking about God’s plan for each of us and the continuing journey of faith ~ the journey has just begun! The team consists of several men and women; several are converts to Catholicism, themselves. We are a unique group of individuals with varied experiences, life stories and challenges.

Humor and compassion are staple ingredients that bind us to each other. Participants continue to evaluate their desire to continue and are free to step back at any time.

STARTING SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 – See 2024 OCIA Flyer

For more information, please call Mike & Yvonne McGee at (717)354-4685 or email [email protected].