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Welcome! We are glad that you are here, considering beginning this journey of faith. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is not simply a program, but a process—an invitation to walk alongside others as we grow in faith together. Each person who joins us has a unique story, and we are committed to meeting each person where they are. We believe in building relationships, nurturing faith, and helping each participant begin or deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ as we all strive to live as His disciples.

Here we've included information for adults who are ready to begin the process of becoming Catholic, OCIA (formerly RCIA), and those already in the process. You can also complete an interest form by clicking here, and we will follow up with you soon.

OCIA Candidate Form (for someone seriously interested or beginning the process)

Our Goal

Our goal is to help you know Jesus Christ, who desires a relationship with you, who loves you, and who, through God the Father, offers you mercy and forgiveness. The goal is not merely to receive the sacraments, but to help you to know, love, and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ. The sacraments you will celebrate are intended to support you in living a life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

How Long Does the Process Take?

We would like to put this in perspective of a relationship. Can you dictate how long it will take for two people to become true friends? Probably not, but with some structure, we can have an idea. Each person's story will take as long as it needs. For those who are not yet baptized, this process is minimally a year. For those who are already baptized, it could take minimally a few months. In both cases, it could take much longer depending on a number of factors. We keep our goal in mind, not the calendar.

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) Process

The OCIA process is a journey of faith for those interested in becoming Catholic. It involves learning about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, building relationships within the community, and deepening one's faith. The process typically has four periods: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. Each period is marked by ceremonies and celebrations that guide participants through their spiritual journey.

The process begins by completing this online form that gives us information so we can help you. Next, one of our parish staff members will reach out to you to schedule a meeting to talk about your interest in the process and what that process may look like for you. You can bring whoever you would like to this half-hour meeting.

Next, we will connect you with a catechist (a teacher) who may work with you one-on-one or with a small group of people learning about the Church. This could be for 3 to 6 sessions over a few weeks or months. This time is called Inquiry, where we delve into some basics of the faith, aiming to help you better understand who God is and how you may respond. At the end of this period, you will meet up with a parish staff member again to see if you're ready for the next part of the process.

The next part involves more sessions, which could range from a few to a dozen. The goal of this time is to continue to explore who God is and how you can respond to God's love and mercy. It also includes putting some of those responses into action. One important part of this is that if you haven't already, you should be attending Mass on a weekly basis.

The last part includes prayer and what we call discernment with a sponsor, the catechist, and a staff person to determine your readiness to celebrate the sacraments. It's not a discernment of whether you are worthy, but whether you are ready to receive the gifts and responsibilities.

Individual Information Form (printable)

A Catholic Sponsor

A Catholic sponsor plays an essential role in the OCIA process. A sponsor is a practicing Catholic who walks alongside you on this journey of faith, offering support, guidance, and encouragement. Their role is to be a companion, helping you understand what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and to provide a personal connection to the broader Church community. They will pray with and for you, answer questions, and share their own faith experiences to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus. A sponsor serves as a witness to your journey and will stand by you as you prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation. Sponsors do not need to attend sessions, but it is certainly wonderful when they can, and we highly recommend it.

Coordinator of OCIA Ministry

Ricardo Valdez
rvaldez@stfrancisholland.org
x8975

Discernment

Discernment is an ongoing process of decision-making. Rather than focusing solely on "getting ready" for a rite, discernment is part of the journey where every gathering, story, liturgical action, act of service, and new learning is a source of reflection, discovery, prayerful response, and change of heart. Key questions throughout the process help participants incorporate and integrate discernment into their ongoing conversion journey.

Video from Fr. Mike on Discernment (Decision Making 101)

• How does what I see, hear, feel, taste, touch, and learn from this experience reveal something of God to me?
  After her grandmother’s death, Cindy doubted “the resurrection and life everlasting” with a profound visceral doubt. The hands of her pastor, sponsor, and pastoral team members during a blessing of the catechumens literally touched her and revealed God’s presence and promise even in the darkness.

• How does what I see, hear, feel, taste, touch and learn from this experience spill over into my life so that I better know and understand the meaning and cost of the cross, of resurrection, of discipleship?
  Leah was disowned by her parents when her life-path rooted in the Jewish tradition led her to seek initiation in the Catholic Church. Her faithful presence in the community was both a challenge and witness and inspired many conversations about the cost of being Christian.

• What do I hear and what do I learn from the great Story of God in the Scripture? Where do I hear the echoes of my own story there?
  Sarah passed a crowd of day laborers each time she drove her children to school. At the Sunday assembly when she heard the Gospel proclaim that in the vineyard all received a full day’s wages, she was compelled to refresh her high-school Spanish skills, make sandwiches, and devote a day a week to sharing food and companionship with the waiting workers.

• What do I discover about my relationships with God, with others, and with the Church through my daily life experiences? Through my gathering with the Sunday assembly? Through my participation in the mission of the Church?
  Kevin and Kate had traveled to a Catholic church in another state to be married. They felt their marriage was truly blessed when they returned, dressed in gown and tux, and gathered other catechumens, candidates, sponsors, team and parish companions to share in the story of their wedding as well as cake and champagne. The wedding was indeed a significant celebration, but this couple recognized that the sacrament was to be lived in the midst of the community.

• What is happening now in the world, in the Church, and in our community? To what does that call me?
  After the terrible Tsunami disaster, a group of catechumens and candidates engaged in a discussion about stewardship of earth and material goods that resulted in a parish project to support the victims.

• What do I hear in the music, homily, and in my interactions with others at our liturgical gatherings? What of God’s will is revealed to me in those words? How am I willing to respond?
  Bill shared that each time he heard the gospel and homily he felt like “an onion that’s being peeled layer by layer,” becoming more and more the person he knew God created him to be. The year after his initiation he built an immersion font for his church.

Bienvenido al Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (OCIA)

¡Bienvenido! Nos alegra que estés aquí considerando comenzar este viaje de fe. El Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (OCIA) no es simplemente un programa, sino un proceso: una invitación a caminar junto a otros mientras crecemos en la fe. Cada persona que se une a nosotros tiene una historia única, y estamos comprometidos a conocer a cada persona donde se encuentra. Creemos en construir relaciones, nutrir la fe y ayudar a cada participante a comenzar o profundizar su relación con Jesucristo mientras todos nos esforzamos por vivir como Sus discípulos.

Aquí hemos incluido información para los adultos que están listos para comenzar el proceso de convertirse en católicos, OCIA (anteriormente RCIA), y para aquellos que ya están en el proceso. También puedes completar un formulario de interés haciendo clic aquí, y nos pondremos en contacto contigo pronto.

Formulario de Candidato de OCIA (para alguien seriamente interesado o iniciando el proceso)

Nuestro Objetivo

Nuestro objetivo es ayudarte a conocer a Jesucristo, quien desea una relación contigo, quien te ama y quien, a través de Dios Padre, te ofrece misericordia y perdón. El objetivo no es simplemente recibir los sacramentos, sino ayudarte a conocer, amar y servir al Señor, Jesucristo. Los sacramentos que celebrarás están destinados a apoyarte en vivir una vida como discípulo de Jesucristo.

¿Cuánto Tiempo Toma el Proceso?

Queremos poner esto en perspectiva de una relación. ¿Puedes dictar cuánto tiempo tomará para que dos personas se conviertan en verdaderos amigos? Probablemente no, pero con algo de estructura, podemos tener una idea. La historia de cada persona tomará el tiempo que necesite. Para aquellos que aún no están bautizados, este proceso dura como mínimo un año. Para aquellos que ya están bautizados, podría tomar al menos unos meses. En ambos casos, podría tomar mucho más tiempo, dependiendo de varios factores. Mantenemos nuestro objetivo en mente, no el calendario.

Proceso de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (OCIA)

El proceso de OCIA es un viaje de fe para aquellos interesados en convertirse en católicos. Implica aprender sobre las enseñanzas y tradiciones de la Iglesia Católica, construir relaciones dentro de la comunidad y profundizar la fe. El proceso generalmente tiene cuatro períodos: Investigación, Catecumenado, Purificación e Iluminación, y Mistagogia. Cada período está marcado por ceremonias y celebraciones que guían a los participantes a lo largo de su viaje espiritual.

El proceso comienza completando este formulario en línea que nos proporciona información para poder ayudarte. Luego, un miembro del personal parroquial se pondrá en contacto contigo para programar una reunión para hablar sobre tu interés en el proceso y cómo podría ser para ti. Puedes traer a quien desees a esta reunión de media hora.

Después, te conectaremos con un catequista (un maestro) que podrá trabajar contigo de manera individual o con un pequeño grupo de personas que están aprendiendo sobre la Iglesia. Esto podría ser entre 3 a 6 sesiones durante algunas semanas o meses. Este tiempo se llama Investigación, donde profundizamos en algunos aspectos básicos de la fe con el objetivo de ayudarte a comprender mejor quién es Dios y cómo puedes responder. Al final de este período, te reunirás nuevamente con un miembro del personal parroquial para ver si estás listo para la siguiente parte del proceso.

La siguiente parte implica más sesiones, que podrían ir de unas pocas a una docena. El objetivo de este tiempo es continuar explorando quién es Dios y cómo puedes responder al amor y la misericordia de Dios. También incluye poner algunas de esas respuestas en acción. Una parte importante de esto es que, si aún no lo has hecho, deberías asistir a misa semanalmente.

La última parte incluye la oración y lo que llamamos discernimiento con un padrino, el catequista y un miembro del personal para determinar si estás listo para celebrar los sacramentos. No es un discernimiento de si eres digno, sino si estás listo para recibir los dones y responsabilidades.

Formulario de Información Individual (imprimible)

Un Padrino Católico

Un padrino católico juega un papel esencial en el proceso de OCIA. Un padrino es un católico practicante que camina contigo en este viaje de fe, ofreciendo apoyo, orientación y ánimo. Su papel es ser un compañero, ayudarte a comprender lo que significa vivir como un discípulo de Jesucristo y proporcionar una conexión personal con la comunidad de la Iglesia en general. Orarán contigo y por ti, responderán preguntas y compartirán sus propias experiencias de fe para ayudarte a crecer en tu relación con Jesús. Un padrino sirve como testigo de tu viaje y estará a tu lado mientras te preparas para recibir los sacramentos de iniciación. Los padrinos no necesitan asistir a las sesiones, pero ciertamente es maravilloso cuando pueden, y lo recomendamos encarecidamente.

Coordinador del Ministerio de OCIA

Ricardo Valdez
rvaldez@stfrancisholland.org
x8975

Discernimiento

El discernimiento es un proceso continuo de toma de decisiones. En lugar de enfocarse únicamente en "prepararse" para un rito, el discernimiento es parte del viaje donde cada reunión, historia, acción litúrgica, acto de servicio y nuevo aprendizaje es una fuente de reflexión, descubrimiento, respuesta en oración y cambio de corazón. Las preguntas clave a lo largo del proceso ayudan a los participantes a incorporar e integrar el discernimiento en su proceso continuo de conversión.

Video del P. Mike sobre el Discernimiento (Toma de Decisiones 101)