Children who are entering 3rd-8th grade and are unbaptized or baptized in another Christian faith are also included in the OCIA process through a special OCIA program that is adapted for children. Because each child is different in their situation and needs, the process each child will follow is handled on a case-by-case basis. Please click reach out to Jen Cabe, OCIA Director, at [email protected] for more information.

Fully becoming a Catholic Christian is a lifelong journey, of which the OCIA process is a short piece. The journey to full initiation into the Catholic Church usually takes at least nine months. At St. Matthew Parish, we offer two opportunities to join the Period of Inquiry, the first step in the OCIA process – one session begins after Easter, and another session begins in September. This is to best serve the needs of inquirers who long to begin the journey.

Becoming a Catholic is not something to be taken lightly. Though the knowledge gained through OCIA will be only a snapshot of the depth of the faith, the decision to enter into the Catholic Church must include a sufficient understanding of what Catholics believe.  More importantly, each person must take the knowledge and use it to develop a deeper relationship with Christ, allowing him/her to joyfully commit to discipleship and a new way of life. While it seems long at the outset, most people find it to be time well spent, and are sad to see it come to a close. Really!

Those who are not baptized are brought into the Church through the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil each year. Since a full year of formation is required, it is best to start in the session beginning after Easter, though it is possible to begin in September and receive sacraments after eighteen months. Those who were baptized in another faith can be brought into the Church during Advent or at the Easter Vigil. The OCIA Coordinator will discuss your situation at your first individual meeting.

Yes! However, there may be a need for an annulment of the previous marriage(s), even if neither spouse was Catholic. The annulment process can be lengthy – please talk with the OCIA Coordinator about any divorce or remarriage as soon as possible. Initiation into the Catholic Church will be delayed until the annulment has been granted and the current marriage recognized.

Come to OCIA. You can attend the sessions for as long and as many times as you like without participating in the Rites leading up to the reception of sacraments. YOU decide when you are ready for the next step. We do not pressure you and we expect deep discernment. We meet you where you are and try to help on YOUR journey in YOUR time.