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OCIA

Are you interested in becoming Catholic?  Do you have questions about the Catholic Church – her teachings, practices, and vision of God and the world?

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OCIA – the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults – is a parish ministry devoted to welcoming those interested in exploring these types of questions.

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To be welcomed, fill out this form and email it to Carmel Acosta at cacosta@staloysiusparish.com or drop off a printed copy to the parish office.

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The OCIA ministry goals are to:

  • Assist inquirers in discerning whether God is calling them into full communion with the Catholic Church.

  • Accompany inquirers as they are welcomed as catechumens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. 

  • Help provide (for inquirers who have been baptized in another Christian tradition) an orientation to the distinctive teachings and practices of the Catholic Church as they prepare to make a profession of faith and receive Confirmation and the Eucharist.

  • Be hospitable, providing an encouraging environment for listening and responding to God’s call.

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“In the Sacraments of Christian initiation we are freed from the power of darkness and joined to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  We receive the Spirit of filial adoption and are part of the entire people of God in the celebration of the memorial of the Lord’s death and resurrection.”
                                                                                                                      –paragraph 1, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

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The OCIA ministry meets September through March/April when it ends at Easter Vigil. Meetings will start Monday, September 9 at 7:00 PM in the Gonzaga Hall Library. Meetings will be held every Monday at the same time and location.

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Persons preparing for Baptism are encouraged to participate in OCIA for approximately one year. Those who have been baptized and part of another Christian tradition typically participate for four to six months.  The ministry's goal is for every participant to grow in faith, to come to a deeper love of God and neighbor, and to be equipped for meaningful participation in the life of the Catholic Church.

 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming Catholic, contact Carmel Acosta by emailing cacosta@staloysiusparish.com or calling (225) 343-6657. 

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