Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
-
OCIA sessions In English will be begin late August, 2025!
Sessions will meet weekly through April, 2026.
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a process designed for adults who, as they respond to God's grace, discover a desire to become full members of the Catholic Church. OCIA is designed for adults who:
- Have not been baptized and wish to be part of the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Baptism.
- Have been baptized in another Christian community and seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Were baptized in the Catholic faith in their childhood but did not receive the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Based on an ancient practice of receiving new members in the Christian community, the OCIA process is a spiritual path that goes through various stages of prayer, discernment and teaching of the Catholic way of life. The highlight of the process takes place at the Easter Vigil, which is when those who have been preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation are baptized, confirmed and welcomed to the Eucharistic table.
The 2025-26 schedule for OCIA for English speakers has not yet been confirmed. Please click the appropriate sacramental preparation language, below so we can add you to our communication group for the upcoming OCIA sessions!For more information contact
Sara Campbell for OCIA
En Espanol, Emma Rodriguez at [email protected]
FAQ about The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)Who should attend OCIA?People who have not received all the sacraments of initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (First Communion) -- should participate in the OCIA process. Those who have already been baptized as Christians in another church or denomination will need to make a Profession of Faith and then they will be confirmed and be admitted to the Eucharist. Catholics who have been away from the practice of their faith can benefit from a revisiting of the topics covered in the OCIA presentations.I’m already baptized in another denomination. Do I need to attend OCIA?Yes, but the Catholic Church does not re-baptize those who have been baptized in another Christian church. If you have been baptized but never received instructions in the Catholic Faith then OCIA is recommended. RCIA will help you to begin the life long deepening of your relationship with God, by learning the beliefs, practices, and spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church.What kind of information do I need to join OCIA?You need no information to join the process, but if you wish to become Catholic then you will need to obtain copies of your baptismal records, or some proof of baptism, and submit them to the Pastor who will further assist you. Since obtaining records may be a time-consuming process, you should begin collecting the appropriate documentation whenever you believe Catholicism is right for you. If for some reason your church did not keep records or the church no longer exists, other arrangements can be made.I have been divorced and I’m not remarried, can I become Catholic?Yes. As long as you remain unmarried, you do not need to obtain an annulment through the Catholic Church . It is always beneficial to discuss your situation in confidence with the Pastor.I’ve been divorced and have remarried and my spouse is divorced and remarried. Can I become Catholic?Definitely yes, but each situation is unique and should first be discussed with the Pastor. An annulment of your previous marriage may be needed. If It is necessary for you and your current spouse to begin seeking an annulment, we encourage you to begin the process as soon as possible, even if your spouse is not considering entry into the Church. You certainly can attend OCIA sessions while the annulment process is ongoing. Reception into the Church will have to wait until the annulment process has been completed.What’s the cutoff date for joining OCIA?This is up to the discretion of the pastor, but typically the cutoff is the first class date in October. OCIA sessions begin in August and end shortly after Easter Sunday, for a total of about 9 months. The time needed to be prepared to join the Church depends on your faith level and readiness to receive the sacraments. It is the pastor's responsibility to determine ones readiness for reception into the Church.When does OCIA meet and how long does it last?OCIA at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church meets weekly in the Holy Family Center, located on the lower level of the Church building. The sessions usually begin in late August and end shortly after Easter. Since we believe joining the Catholic Church is a serious commitment, the OCIA process is designed to give you the information and encouragement needed for you to decide whether you wish to join the Catholic faith.I heard I need a sponsor. What is that and how do I get one?Sponsors are practicing Catholics in good standing who accompany you on your journey through OCIA. For Baptism the Sponsor is called “godparent”. Our Lady of the Lake encourages the Sponsors to attend sessions with you as often as possible. If you know someone who meets the criteria you can simply ask them to sponsor you. If they don’t live locally the church will provide you a “proxy” who will be available to accompany you in an ongoing basis and then at Easter Vigil the Sponsor you prefer can then stand in the local proxy’s place as your official sponsor. If you need assistance finding a sponsor please reach out to the OCIA coordinator for help.I have children. Do you provide child care?Unfortunately, no. If that is a problem for you then speak with one of the OCIA volunteers who may be able to offer help.How old should a person be to attend OCIA?The individual should enough to understand what is being taught. Generally speaking, people who have reached the age of 17 are best suited to the OCIA when accompanied by a parent or guardian. For teens who are younger than 17, please consult the Faith Formation office.
"The rite of initiation is suited to a spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place."
We at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church are eager to help those seeking to know more about Jesus and how to follow Him as Roman Catholics.Order of Christian Initiation for Children in 1st - 6th Grade
If you are seeking Sacrmaments of Initiation for a child in grades 1-6, please contact
ulie Aldridge for Baptism at [email protected]
Rosie Huls for First Eucharist at [email protected]Order of Christian Initiation for Youth in 7th - 12th Grade
If you are seeking Sacraments of Initiation for a youth in grades 7-12, please contact
Julie Aldridge for Baptism at [email protected]
Micaela Hemmer for First Eucharist and/or Confirmation at [email protected]
.