If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic (or might be) and may have lots of questions, please email Thomas and Joan Graham at [email protected] to set up a time to meet to talk through your questions!
If you would like to sign up for the next OCIA class,
please fill out the OCIA Inquirer Form here!
The RCIA process is now called OCIA, reflecting a closer translation of the process by which adults are initiated into the Catholic faith. Interested in learning more about why the name has changed?
Click here to read more.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program at Our Lady of Mount Carmel guides people on a journey of faith—one that involves our whole community. It's a program for those seeking to develop or deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
The OCIA process is a series of carefully planned stages, marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community, in which new Catholics embark on and join us in a continuing and deepening conversion into faith and discipleship.
The OCIA process is divided into four phases to help the seeker, candidate or catechumen, in their Christian formation. Presentations focus on the Catholic Church's teaching regarding: sacraments, liturgy, social justice, conscience formation and morality, Mary, the saints, sacred scripture, prayer, and much more.
If you’ve ever considered joining the Catholic faith or learning more about our Catholic Church, now is the time. We welcome you to email [email protected] for more information.
Classes begin Sunday, September 15! OCIA meets on Sundays in the St. Joseph Room after 11AM Mass from noon-2PM. There is no cost to attend.
September 15: Introduction to the OCIA ProcessThe Order of Christian Initiation of Adults for Teens program is the basic process where individuals may learn about the Roman Catholic faith and, if they wish, begin their journey toward becoming a member of the Church. Following the OCIA process, the program consists of four phases with classes one day per week beginning in September.
If you are or know of a teen wishing to become Catholic, please contact us at [email protected].
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults adapted for Children is intended for children and youth not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age (ages 7 to 13). This process is based on the OCIA. The Christian initiation of these children requires both a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed in proportion to their age.
Children above second grade who are baptized and have not celebrated their first Reconciliation or received first Holy Communion should enroll in Children's Faith Formation and will attend additional classes for their sacraments
Non-baptized participants in the OCIA Adapted for Children program celebrate the rites proper to the initiation process, and enter into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil, receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).
Baptized participants enter into full communion with the Church by celebrating their first Reconciliation during Lent and receiving the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
The OCIA Adapted for Children sessions are held on Monday from 4:30 – 5:30 PM, beginning in September and concluding in May.
For more information regarding the OCIA Adapted for Children process, children and youth candidates, please email [email protected] or call Dawn Street at (317) 867-2212, or the Faith Formation Office at (317) 846-3878.