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Contact Us
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jdegelebismarckdiocese.comPastor
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OCIA Form
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Printable Schedule
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Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith?If you are, please consider attending the OCIA interest meeting on Sunday, October 6th at 3:00 PM in the parish hall at Epiphany!
These classes are for:
Those who are Catholic and want to learn more
Those interested in learning about the Catholic Church
Those who are interested in joining the Church during the Easter season next Spring
OCIA is not only classes about the Catholic faith, but it is also the process of conversion to a deeper acceptance of Christ and His Church.
If you'd like to fill out the inquiry/initial interview form, the forms are available in the parish office or you can print one (located to the right) and return to the parish office! (If the office is closed, there is a mailbox on the wall next to the office door in which you can leave the form.)If you have any questions or would like to speak to Father Degele, please email him at [email protected]!
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What IS OCIA?
Many adults entering the Catholic Church, or those just thinking about it, follow a process known as the OCIA—the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
(This was formerly known as RCIA - "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults", but was changed to OCIA in 2021 by the USCCB.)
The OCIA process has several distinct stages:- Inquiry: the initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You're asking questions and checking it out, but aren't yet ready to commit.
- Catechumenate: those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you're developing your faith and are being "catechized"—learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.
- Purification and preparation: The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter.
- Initiation: the culmination of the whole process! You're received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you'll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you've already been baptized, you won't be baptized again.)
- Mystagogy: after reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.