Becoming Catholic

Welcome! We are excited to provide you with more information about the Catholic Faith.  Some are blessed to receive this gift as an infant and grow up in the Catholic faith, while others embrace the faith when they are older.     

If you have not been baptized, the process of Christian initiation (known also as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults prepares you to enter into the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

If you were already baptized in another Christian tradition, the initiation process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) meets weekly from September to Easter. Please see OCIA for additional information or speak with one of our parish priests.

  • What is the OCIA Order of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens?
    The Order of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is for inquirers in the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) process who are preparing for their Baptism. They are now ready to declare publicly their intention to continue their journey towards becoming Catholics. They are asked to more fully embrace the Gospel message with the help of God, and are also signed with the Cross to show that they now belong to Christ, the Shepherd of souls. In this Order, the parish community has the opportunity to more fully participate in and pray for those in the OCIA process. At Sunday Mass, some of the inquirers who are considering joining the Catholic Church are going through the Order of Acceptance. This Order places these catechumens in a formal relationship with the universal Church. By Church law, the Pope and all bishops are to pray for those who have gone through this Order. We encourage all parishioners to pray for these souls as well, as they continue in the initiation process over the coming months, and to reach out to them as fellow members of the Household of Christ.
  • What is the OCIA Rite of Welcoming?
    The Rite of Welcoming is for inquirers who have been previously baptized and are ready to publicly declare their intention to continue their journey toward full communion with the Catholic Church. At this Rite, they are asked if they are ready to listen to the apostles’ instruction, gather with the worshipping community in prayer, and join that community in the love and service of others. They are signed with the Cross to show that they belong to Christ.
  • Why is the parish community important at the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming, and when will these Rites be celebrated?
    Members of the parish community should affirm that they are ready to help and support the OCIA candidates seeking to follow Christ. Please check the Religious Education website for information on when the Rites will be celebrated.