OCIA Calendar 2023-24

Frequently Asked Questions

When and Where?
    Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish joins with St. Mary's Village, St. Benedict, St. Joseph, St. Margaret Mary, and St. Patrick parishes for
    the formation process which officially begins in August.   
 
Who  should I call to join?
    Contact the parish office for more information.

I have already been baptized in another faith. Do I need to be baptized again?
   The Catholic Church  recognizes baptisms from many Christian denominations.  If you were baptized in  one of these, you would not be
   baptized again, but would make a profession of  faith in the Catholic Church before being confirmed and receiving Eucharist.

I have already been baptized Catholic, but  have not received Eucharist and/or Confirmation. Should I join OCIA?
   Ideally, if resources allowed, we would have a separate group for those who fall into this category, but because of numbers and because
   most of the content is the same, we do combine those who have already been baptized with those in the OCIA.  

OCIA classes are also good as a “refresher” for those who have been away from the Church for a while. I've been married before....will that be a problem?
   Each situation is different, so it is difficult to answer this question generally. Let your RCIA  team members know at the first session so
   they can guide you to an answer.

What does the process consist of?
​
The Five Main Stages of OCIA.

• The Period of Inquiry (Length of Time Specific to the Individual)

The Period of Inquiry is a time to become acquainted with the Catholic Church and to hear the good news of salvation from Jesus Christ, our Savior. It is a time to look within one’s life story and see connections to our needs for the Gospel. This reflective process becomes a continuing, ongoing method during the entire journey. During this reflective process, one should ask questions, discern, and learn about a life of faith in Christ and the Catholic Church.
During this period, some may decide that this is not the right time for them to consider membership in the Catholic Church. It is entirely up to the individual’s free will, and no pressure will be exerted against this decision.

• The Period of Catechumenate (4 months)

The Period of Catechumenate embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership. To enter into this phase, one must already have come to faith in Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior and sincerely desire to become members of the Catholic Church. The catechumens now gather with the Catholic community on Sundays for Liturgy of the Word. They then are dismissed after the homily for Breaking Open the Word, where one will encounter Scripture in one’s own life and discuss it amongst one’s group.
During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated more deeply into the lives of the catechumens.

• The Period of Purification & Illumination (6 weeks)

The Period of Purification & Illumination corresponds to the Catholic Church’s time as “Lent,” which is the six weeks of preparation before Easter. This period becomes a prayerful time for catechumens, who are now known as the “Elect,” as they prepare for the moment they enter into Full Communion with the Catholic Church in the Sacraments of Initiation. This period is begun with the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, which is celebrated at the Cathedral in Indianapolis with the Bishop presiding.  this rite, they are accepted as candidates for the Bishop's sacraments, representing that this decision is not theirs alone.
Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at Sunday Masses for the elect and candidates – these are called “scrutinies.” These prayers are for strengthening grace and virtue, purification from all past evil, and any bonds that hinder them from experiencing God’s love. Throughout this period, the elect is invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of charity works and the practice of fasting.
During this period, Breaking Open the Word continues, and Lent’s readings were chosen with the themes of continuing conversion in mind. Toward the end of the period, the Church continues the custom of “handing over” to the Elect the Creed (the summary of our faith) and the Lord’s Prayer (which represents its practice of continuing prayer after the command of Jesus, who taught us to pray).

• The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (One night)

The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night watch of prayer, singing, and hearing God’s Word in anticipation of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
Through the waters of baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ. By anointing the person with the Sacred Chrism, one is sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit and is then called to full participation at the Eucharistic Table, which marks full membership in the Catholic Church.

• The Period of Mystagogy

The Period of Mystagogy lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter Season at Pentecost. At the end of mystagogy, one reaches the end of the Rites of Christian Initiation. Those who have just shared in the Sacraments of Initiation are now called “neophytes,” and during this period of Easter joy, they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This time period reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and look for new ways to live the life of grace personally and together. This final period reminds the neophytes that the initiation process is just that: initiation, not graduation, which means a commitment to a lifelong journey of conversion.