OCIA ~ You Can Help

YOU CAN HELP

This is an exciting time for the Church as most parishes are seeing a significant increase in the number of individuals being called to the Catholic faith. The Holy Spirit is at work, and people are responding. 

 

The process to become Catholic was once known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) but recently the USCCB officially changed the name to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation). The word “Order” makes the OCIA process a continual journey, which we are all on, with multiple “Rites” along this journey. OCIA is a process, not a program. The difference is that a program has a beginning and an end, whereas a process is continual and based on individual needs.

 

Although the name has changed, many of the concepts of OCIA did not change. One such concept is we never know when and how the Holy Spirit is working in someone’s life and calling them to the Catholic Church. Previously, RCIA was a ‘cookie cutter’ approach where the ‘program’ started in September and concluded at the Easter Vigil. Sadly, too often after catechumens (not yet baptized) or candidates (previously baptized) received their Sacraments, “life happened” and the Catholic faith never became a priority. Thus, the Bishops have requested OCIA become a year-round process with breaks throughout the year. Although the process will be called OCIA, you will begin to see most advertising refer to OCIA as “BECOMING CATHOLIC”  since we should not expect an inquirer to understand what the acronym OCIA means.

 

Since this is now a process, there is no timeline or published calendar as to when someone will enter full communion with the Church. The goal will be to advance at the pace in which the Holy Spirit, along with the individual, proceeds in their unique conversion process. We will trust in God’s perfect timing.

 

Our Parish community plays a huge role in the formation and discernment process. We are all called to be disciples of Christ, to spread the Good News, and to bring others into Christ’s Church. The OCIA process should renew our entire Parish and serve as a constant reminder of our traditions and heritage. Every one of us can be part of the OCIA team in big and small ways and there are several ways the Holy Spirit may be calling you. Please see below:

 

  1. Welcoming! One of the easiest and yet so important is welcoming and greeting the new (as well as the familiar) faces we see at Mass each week. Take a moment to introduce yourself and let them know they are welcome at Holy Family and that we are glad they are here. Also, if you arrive at Mass and we do not already have anyone greeting people, please feel free to step in and greet all who enter. First impressions truly do make a difference in helping some determine if they will come back. This has always been an area where Holy Family has excelled so let’s continue to shine and never become comfortable with only the faces we know. 
  2. Becoming Catholic Team! There are so many ways one can help and helping may look different to everyone. It could be as little as a one-time commitment to bake some cookies for a Becoming Catholic gathering (remember, Jesus always fed the people!). It could also be offering to host dinner at your house for one or more inquirers so they can learn more about why you are Catholic and how you practice your faith, as well as just meet more parishioners. Perhaps you would like to share your own personal story with a small group on how God has been at work in your life, or how you grew in your faith. Maybe you love the Scriptures and would like to join the team that dismisses at Mass to further Break open the Word. Maybe you have a deep love for the Rosary, the Saints, our Sacraments, etc. and would like to be a guest at one of our classes to share why you feel as you do about something related to our faith. Or possibly you just want to be a friend to one of our inquirers and sit with them at coffee and donuts and introduce them to other parishioners so they can become connected and feel part of the Holy Family family.
  3. Prayer! Prayer is of course our biggest need and one we can all do. Please pray for those who are being called by the Holy Spirit to feel as well as respond to that nudge. Additionally, the Becoming Catholic team needs continual prayers as well to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

Now, if reading about these opportunities to become involved causes you stress or you instantly thought, I am not qualified to do any of these things or I do not know enough about our faith to help anyone else, that can be a good thing! Remember, God does not call the equipped, rather, He equips the called! Check out the sign-up genius by clicking here or if you have other ideas on how to help, please speak with Lori. We would love to hear your ideas on how we improve our Becoming Catholic process.


Remember, we are all on a mission to help each other on our journey to heaven. Pray to see how the Holy Spirit may be nudging you to contribute to someone’s eternal salvation.