Interested in becoming a Catholic or learning more about the Catholic Faith? The journey of faith begins with your questions…
What is faith? How does faith grow? What do Catholics believe and why is it different from other faith traditions?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for those who are not yet baptized and seek to become fully initiated Catholic Christians through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, as well as those who are already baptized in another Christian tradition and wish to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.
Catherine Mays
RCIA Director
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Formation is on-going. To get started, contact the OCIA Director.
The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process through which adults first inquire about and then when they are ready, become members of the Catholic Church by receiving Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
The process generally takes one year but will vary depending on the preparation and spiritual needs of each participant.
Contact us when you are ready.
OCIA at Seton Lake Ridge is open to all Catholics and Seekers who want to…
- …learn what the Catholic Church teaches.
- …converse with God and build Christian community.
- …walk more closely with God by sharpening their understanding of right and wrong action.
- …celebrate their faith with a deeper understanding of the how and why.
- …explore being received into the Catholic Church by the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion.
Normally, we meet at the 9:00 am Sunday Mass and are dismissed after the priest’s homily (sermon) to Seton Hall. Fully-Initiated Catholics who are looking to simply deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith may join us for the class which begins after the 9:00am Mass and continues till 110:30am.
The group explores a topic related to the Catholic faith and how to apply it to their lives. Built into each session is the opportunity for participants to ask questions and discuss the faith in a non-judgmental forum. In addition, participants will be invited to be involved in parish life and service to the community. Alternate arrangements can be made for those who for serious reasons cannot meet at this time.
Who should join OCIA for Children?
– Children who have not been baptized or have been baptized in another Christian denomination.
– Catholic children over the age of 6 who do not fit into the parish’s sequential Family Faith Formation program due to a gap in faith formation.
The OCIA for Children is a process whereby the children are made to feel part of the parish family and learn about the Catholic faith. These children will attend the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday with their parents followed by a class in which they will explore and learn about the Catholic faith. Children who are ready will receive their Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
To enroll your child, please contact our OCIA Director at ocia@setonlakeridge.org.
If your child is under the age of 7:
Parents of five and six-year-olds who have never been baptized should contact the Parish Office about having their child baptized and enrolled in our Family Faith Formation program.
A sponsor accompanies the catechumen/candidate in his/her spiritual journey. The sponsor is a witness to the faith. Being a good listener is the most essential requirement, but a sponsor also commits to attending sessions and rites with the inquirers. Most often, sponsors are blessed with a rejuvenation of their own faith as they offer the gift of time and support to an inquirer.