Becoming Catholic

A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of three sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - but the process by which one becomes Catholic can take different forms. 

A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One's initiation is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism. This is true for children who are baptized Catholic (and receive the other two sacraments later) and for adults who are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the same time. 

Those who have been validly baptized outside the Church become Catholic by making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by the sacrament of confirmation and the Eucharist. 

Before a person is ready to be received into the Church, whether by baptism or by profession of faith, preparation is necessary. The amount and form of this preparation depends on the individual's circumstance. The most basic division in the kind of preparation needed is between those who are unbaptized and those who have already become Christian through baptism in another Church. 

For adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven), entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). 

What is the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA)?

The Rite of Christian Initiation is based on the principle that the process of conversion proceeds gradually, in stages. Progress from one stage to the next is marked by a liturgical celebration in the midst of the parish community. The experience and needs of each individual differs, and so the length of time may vary for each person, yet there are certain similarities in the process everyone will experience. 

Each year, Catholic parishes throughout the world offer individuals who wish to learn about the Catholic faith an opportunity to get acquainted with Catholic beliefs and practices through OCIA Classes. Attending OCIA  is a requirement for persons desiring to receive the sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church. 
  
 After OCIA classes, individuals who desire to become full members of the Catholic Church continue learning and preparing prayerfully to receive the sacraments of Baptism, (if the adult is not already a baptized Christian), Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.
  
 For additional information, please call or come by the Parish Office or email our OCIA Coordinator Deacon Jack Murphy before August of  this year, RCIA classes begin in the fall.  Most importantly, please join us in praying for those who are seeking Christ, that they may have the grace to find Him in our faith community.
 

Already baptized a Catholic and interested in receiving all of the Sacraments of Initiation?

Adult Eucharist and/or Confirmation
For persons who are already baptized Catholic, have received the sacrament of Eucharist (Communion), and wish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, you will need to attend RCIA classes. Classes are offered in the fall of each year. For additional information, please call, or come by the church office in August or early September.