Becoming Catholic (OCIA)

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)

OCIA is the abbreviation for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a process whereby those who are unbaptized are seeking to know about the Catholic Faith and may desire to become Catholic, and for those baptized in other Christian denominations seeking to join the Catholic Church. It is also for people baptized in the Catholic Faith but who have not received the other Sacraments of Initiation (First Communion and Confirmation). Every year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, the Catholic Church baptizes and welcomes new members into the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

Catholics interested in sharing their faith in this ministry are invited to join the RCIA Team. Please contact Deacon Jeff if you are interested in learning more.

OCIA at St. Joan of Arc

If you are interested in becoming Catholic or completing the Sacraments of Initiation, we welcome you to prepare for full initiation into the Church with us. Deacon Jeff Dunlop is the coordinator for OCIA. Educational sessions are run from September through Easter, typically on Thursdays at 6:30pm, but schedule changes are possible.

Teens looking to become Catholic are also welcome in the OCIA program, provided that they are seeking full initiation into the Church at the Easter Vigil and not only completing Confirmation. Sessions for teens run on a case-by-case basis with the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Allie Gall.