OCIA / Becoming Catholic

The Order or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA or RCIA) is a process of inquiry, discernment, and learning about the Catholic faith, with the goal of becoming fully initiated as a Roman Catholic through the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. If you are interested in becoming Catholic—or if you are already Catholic but have not completed your initiation—please fill out the form below to contact us.

This program is also for baptized Catholics who have never received First Communion or Confirmation.  This includes adults who, for various reasons, were never fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

Please note: this Thursday evening program is intended for adults 18 years of age and older. Separate preparation is available for children and teenagers seeking the sacraments.
Those who have never been baptized will receive the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confirmation (along with Baptism) at the Easter Vigil. Those who are already baptized will make a Profession of Faith and receive Eucharist and Confirmation at that same celebration.

⚠️ Important Note for Those in an Irregular Marriage:
If you are married outside the Catholic Church or in a situation the Church considers irregular, you may need to convalidate your marriage (have it recognized sacramentally by the Church) before receiving the Eucharist and Confirmation. We are happy to accompany you through this additional step as part of your preparation.

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Classes Begin:

Thursday, August 14, 2025
7:00 PM — Parish Hall
*To register, please fill out the form below

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An Invitation for Non-Catholics…

Dear beloved,

As Saint Paul did so often in his ministry, we give thanks to God our Father in the Lord Jesus Christ for the gift of His Spirit poured out into our hearts—and into yours. To be aware of the Spirit's constant presence within us is both incredibly uplifting and deeply humbling.

So much depends on our attitude toward God, our Father. We are all His children, longing to discover His smallest desire for each one of us. This search is a journey undertaken by the entire community of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church. It is a journey of united prayer and attentive action. It acknowledges our human fragility and our dependence on this good Father who blesses us with His most generous gifts.

Our posture must be like that of the handmaid of Nazareth, the first daughter of the Father in faith—Mary, the Immaculate One. Her attitude toward God was one of simple availability. Trusting in Him, we—like her—offer ourselves to you as humble instruments of His love and mercy.

Whether or not we are called “guides,” it makes no difference. Let us be fully aware that the Holy Spirit always draws our hearts toward the Heart of God. And at the very heart of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is not just a process, but a Person—Jesus Christ, true God and true man, our Lord, Savior, and Brother. In Him, God loves us with a human heart.
We are praying for you, wholeheartedly, that this journey may be one of deep spiritual enrichment—a year that truly fulfills the deepest longings of your heart.


Here’s a clean infographic summarizing the five (or four, depending on structure) key stages of OCIA, with the Rite of Election marked on the First Sunday of Lent:

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Five Stages of OCIA

1. Inquiry (Pre-catechumenate)
   • Informal stage of questions and exploration; no commitment.
2. Catechumenate (Study/Formation)
   • Begins with the Rite of Entrance into the Order of Catechumens; involves structured catechesis in faith, prayer, Scripture, liturgy, and community life.
3. Purification & Enlightenment (Elect)
   • Begins with the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, when catechumens are called Elect. This Lenten period includes Scrutinies (3rd–5th Sundays of Lent), and preparation of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer.
4. Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
   • Celebrated at the Easter Vigil, when the Elect receive Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.
5. Mystagogy
   • Period of reflection and deepening (50 days Easter season), integrating fully into parish life as neophytes.

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