Come and See: OCIA Begins September 20
- Have you ever wondered what Catholics believe or whether the Catholic Church might have a place in your life?
- Have you thought about becoming Catholic?
- Are you already baptized, but never received First Holy Communion or Confirmation?
- Have you been coming to Mass with a Catholic spouse or family member and wondered what the next step might be?
Or perhaps you know someone a friend, coworker, neighbor, child, or grandchild who has been asking deeper questions about faith. If so, we would love to invite you to come and see.
This month, Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish begins a new year of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Some may remember its former name, RCIA. OCIA is the Church’s process for accompanying adults who are exploring the Catholic faith, considering becoming Catholic, or seeking to complete their initiation into the Church.
But OCIA is much more than a class or a checklist of requirements before receiving the sacraments. It is a journey of faith and conversion. Participants have an opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ more deeply, explore what Catholics believe and why, ask honest questions, pray together, experience the life of our parish community, and discern where God may be leading them.
OCIA is intended especially for adults who have never been baptized, Christians baptized in another tradition who are considering becoming Catholic, and baptized Catholics who never completed their Sacraments of Initiation. It is also a welcoming place for anyone seriously exploring the Catholic faith. Most importantly, you do not have to know whether you want to become Catholic before you come. There is no pressure or obligation. Inquiry is exactly that: an opportunity to ask questions, begin a conversation, and allow the Lord to lead from there.
This year, OCIA sessions will normally be held twice a month on Sunday mornings between our two morning Masses, helping participants connect their formation with Sunday Mass and the larger life of our parish community.
Our first inquiry session will be Sunday, September 20, from 9:15–10:15 a.m. in the Seton Center.
Father Pawel Zmija serves as our Director of OCIA, and we are pleased to announce that Andrew Kline will serve as our Associate Director.
To learn more, contact Father Pawel at pzmija@syrdio.org, or simply join us on September 20.
Finally, to every parishioner reading this: before you finish this article, bring one person to mind. Who in your life might simply be waiting for an invitation? You do not need to answer all their questions. Just say, “Would you like to come with me?”
Sometimes one invitation is where an entirely new journey with Christ begins.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!