OCIA: Growing Faith in and through Community
Fall ’26 OCIA Registration Open
In one of the first documents of the Second Vatican Council, the “Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy,” the bishops of the world called for the “restoration of the catechumenate for adults” which is intended as “a period of suitable instruction” which “may be sanctified by sacred rites to be celebrated at successive intervals of time.”
This initiated what had been called RCIA in the 1970’s. It is now known as OCIA, Order of
Christian Initiation of Adults.
This restoration mirrored the practice of the early church, which supported adult
inquirers in exploring what it means to be Christian.
This inquiry included instruction, prayer, fellowship, charity toward the poor and reflection on the Word of God. This process of coming to faith and proving one’s serious intention to commit to the Christian life was community based.
Accompanying the catechumen challenged the Christian community to reflect on their own identity as the living Body of Christ in the world.
It was an opportunity for renewed commitment to what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
As the parish community of St. Teresa of Avila, each member is charged with accompanying our OCIA seekers to the sacraments of initiation into the Body of Christ.
Our OCIA team spends time each week facilitating discussions, presenting our Catholic beliefs, leading prayer and walking closely with our OCIA community.
But while the Team represents you, we don’t replace you. Please support all on this faith journey.
Make them feel welcome, as you have been welcomed by God.
Our OCIA process welcomes the unbaptized, baptized Christians seeking to join the Catholic Church and Catholics seeking to complete their sacraments of initiation (Confirmation and/or first Eucharist). Each cohort meets weekly with breaks for holidays.
Our cohorts welcome a mix of those interested from either St. Teresa or St. Clement.
Sacraments will be celebrated at each person’s respective parish.
Meetings will be held at each location. You can choose Monday or Thursday evenings or indicate your flexibility for either evening.
Meetings begin the week of November 16.
The Monday cohort begins on Monday, November 16, from 7 – 8:30 pm, meeting at St. Clement.
The Thursday cohort begins meeting Thursday, November 19 at St. Teresa from 7 – 8:30 pm.
The link to register for the next session of OCIA is now open.
For more information you may email Fr. Radley Alcantara, ralcantara@clement.org
or Ed Harasim, eharasim@clement.org, Pastoral Associate and OCIA Coordinator
https://saintclement.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1323/responses/new