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OCIA
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the usual method for an adult (or child between the ages of seven to sixteen) to become Catholic.

OCIA Classes are offered on Sunday Mornings from 9:00 am to  11:00 am,

starting in September.

 

Our Adult seekers meet at our Cenacle Room located in the Fellowship Hall next to the Church.

Come and be part of something amazing - everyone is welcome and we don't mind making room for you!

A complete description of the Rite can be found here, courtesy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Are you interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the process to become Catholic? Or are you curious about what initiation for adults means?

 

Our blessed Lord Jesus Christ said to Matthew “Follow me” and he rose and followed him. For Catholics, we respond in a similar way. The Christian way of life and becoming Catholic goes through a process of initiation, which is falling in love with Jesus and becoming His disciple. Through weekly meetings, we strive to help people learn how to respond to the prompting of God in their lives.

 

The best way to learn is by doing Catholic things and hanging around other Catholics. The way to practice being a Catholic and enter into this process is through entering a way of life, as an apprentice learns from a master and that master’s community.

 

Our blessed Lord Jesus is our master and becoming Catholic is a lot like being His apprentices. We call this process the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults often referred to as OCIA. It involves encountering the Word of God through the liturgies and personal study, engaging in a vibrant community at St Mary, worship with fellow believers in Christ, learning to pray and be of service to others.

 

Meetings will take the form of classes on Sunday mornings starting in September. If you are interested in being Catholic or know of someone who is interested, take the next step in responding to God’s call by contacting Deacon Eduardo Murillo at emurillo@saintmaryplano.com or 630-552-3448.

¿Estás interesado en convertirte en católico o aprender más sobre el proceso para convertirse en Católico? ¿O tienes curiosidad por saber qué significa iniciación para adultos?

 

Nuestro Señor Jesucristo le dijo a Mateo “Sígueme” y él se levantó y lo siguió. Para los católicos, respondemos de manera similar. El estilo de vida cristiano y convertirse en Católico pasa por un proceso de iniciación, que es enamorarse de Jesús y convertirse en su discípulo. A través de reuniones semanales, nos esforzamos por ayudar a las personas a aprender cómo responder a la inspiración de Dios en sus vidas.

 

La mejor manera de aprender es haciendo cosas Católicas y pasando tiempo con otros Católicos. La manera de practicar el ser Católico y entrar en este proceso es entrando en una forma de vida, como un aprendiz aprende de un maestro y de la comunidad de ese maestro.

 

Nuestro Señor Jesús es nuestro maestro y convertirse en Católico es muy parecido a ser sus aprendices. Llamamos a este proceso la Orden de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos, a menudo conocida como OCIA. Implica encontrar la Palabra de Dios a través de las liturgias y el estudio personal, participar en una comunidad vibrante en St Mary, adorar con otros creyentes en Cristo, aprender a orar y estar al servicio de los demás.

 

Las reuniones se realizarán en forma de clases los domingos por la mañana a partir de septiembre. Si está interesado en ser Católico o conoce a alguien que esté interesado, dé el siguiente paso para responder al llamado de Dios comunicándose con el Diácono Eduardo Murillo a emurillo@saintmaryplano.com ó 630-552- 3448.

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Catechumenate

Those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you're developing your faith and are being "catechized" — learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.

Inquiry

This is the initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You're asking questions and checking it out, but aren't yet ready to commit.

Purification and Preparation

The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter.

Initiation

This is the culmination of the whole process. You're received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you'll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. If you've already been baptized, you won't be baptized again.

Mystagogy

After reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.

 

-from beingcatholic.org

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