Becoming Catholic



"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you." Matthew 7:7


Welcome to the Catholic Community of 

St. Bernard's Parish!


We are honored that you are considering becoming fully initiated in the Catholic Church. 

OCIA: The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults  (Formally RCIA) is the process by which adults can become fully initiated Catholic Christians.

The process addresses the needs of three groups of adults:


  1. Those who were never baptized
  2. Those converting to Catholicism who were baptized into other Christian faiths
  3. Those who were baptized Catholic but who never completed their catechesis and education


Although some portions of the process vary for these three groups, in the end they all become fully initiated Catholic Christians.
 

The OCIA process is broken into four phases:


  1. The inquiry phase is for people trying to discern their calling. This phase is ongoing throughout the year but is less structured and less formal with few scheduled sessions.
  2. The Catechesis phase is for people who have accepted their call. This phase begins each fall and goes until Lent.
  3. The period of Purification and Enlightenment is for people preparing to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. This phase goes until Easter.
  4. The Mystagogy phase is for the newly initiated. This phase begins after the Easter Vigil and goes into Pentecost.


Some candidates take more than one year to complete the entire process.

Contact the OCIA Coordinator for more specific guidance. You may e-mail Mark & Gloria Schopf at ociainquiry@schopfs.com


Are you interested in being part of the OCIA team?


Qualifications to Participate in Ministry

  • Be a fully initiated Catholic ( Have received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist).
  • Be a practicing Catholic.
  • Be in good standing with the church.
  • At least 16 years of age.
  • Be willing to share your faith with others.


Ways of Participating


  1. Team Member: Team members help in various ways: planning, organizing, an leading various sessions and rites, record keeping, catechesis, hospitality, sponsor formation, etc.
  2. Faith Sharer: Every session includes large and small group sharing and discussion. Faith sharers share their faith and facilitate the sharing of others.
  3. Sponsor: All those going through the process needs sponsors. Sponsors attend all classes and Rites with their candidate and actively contribute to the spiritual formation of their candidate.