OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
(formally known as RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Dear Parishioners,
We are living in strange and exciting times. Some people are searching for God and the way to enter into full communion with Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church. This is a good time to invite people who have asked about the Catholic faith, or who are Catholic but have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation, to call the parish office and sign up for the O.C.I.A. classes. Please pray for these people and consider being their sponsor if you are eligible.
When we love God above all things (since he is the Author of Life, Love, Truth, and Salvation) and thereby live our baptismal call, the Holy Spirit will continue to sanctify and teach us about Christ and his saving plan, through Holy Mother Church and her Catholic bishops and priests. The full outpouring and seal of the Holy Spirit is offered in the Sacrament of Confirmation of which we should diligently prepare for and, after receiving this sacred gift, intentionally nurture.
I will be offering OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formally known as RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes for those who are 18+ years of age and interested in being Confirmed in the Catholic faith. Please note the schedule that follows and call me at the parish office to inform me of your interest. There will be a $50.00 fee for materials and other expenses, which can be paid over a two-month period. A free “Inquiry Class” will be held at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Goodhue, Tuesday, October 1st, from 7:00-8:00PM, and Thursday, October 3rd, from 8:00-9:00 PM at St. Mary for those who want to ask any questions regarding Catholic belief, practices, morality and prayer, before deciding to attend the O.C.I. A. classes.
Any confirmed parishioner who is interested and eligible to be a sponsor for a person who is a catechumenate (a person not yet baptized in the Catholic sense of the word) or a candidate (a verifiable baptized Christian who seeks to be confirmed in the Catholic faith) can join the class but will have to pay for the essential materials needed.
All those interested should RSVP by Monday, September 30, by calling the Holy Trinity Parish Office at (651)923-4472. OCIA will be offered on Saturday nights from 7:00 - 8:30PM at Church of the Holy Trinity and please know that you are invited to attend the 5:30PM Mass prior. The first 12 scheduled classes will be:
Saturday, Oct. 12, 19, 26
Saturday, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, (Skip November 30, Thanksgiving Weekend)
Saturday, Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28
Saturday, Jan 4, 2025 (More classes to follow)
Generally, we will keep meeting Saturday nights weekly until the time the student disciple is ready to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, hopefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Easter Vigil Mass at the Church of the Holy Trinity. This candle light Mass is very beautiful, and it runs for about 2 hours: around 8:30PM – 10:30PM. As is the case of any reception of a sacrament, there can be a delay of the reception for personal, moral or theological reasons. You can make up missed classes.
There may be follow-up classes called “mystagogy” after the reception of the sacrament, but we hope that as a Confirmed Catholic registered parishioner here at Holy Trinity you will find a weekly or bi-weekly small group to accompany you on your journey to the fulness of heaven – perfect communion with God through, with and in Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Thomas McCabe
Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish
OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a program designed for aduts who wish to be baptized into the Catholic Church. It is also availble to those who were baptized but never raised Catholic or confimed into the faith.
This program is geared toward those considering becoming Catholic, as well as those who want to gain a better understanding of the basics of the Catholic Faith.