Welcome to the St. Joseph's Church OCIA program! We are truly glad to have you with us as you begin this transformative journey. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), was renamed in 2021 in the United States to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin. OCIA is a process that helps people become Catholic and provides Catholics with an opportunity to complete their initiation sacraments.

The journey through OCIA involves several important steps: learning about the Catholic faith, including its beliefs, life, liturgy, and apostolic work; receiving the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist; deepening your relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church; experiencing the parish community; and committing to the liturgical and moral life of the Catholic faith.

With roots tracing back to the apostles and the early fathers of the Church, OCIA is designed to gradually initiate individuals into the faith and life of Christ and His Catholic Church. May God bless you as you take this step toward becoming a full member of the Catholic community. We look forward to walking alongside you as you grow in faith and understanding.

This class introduces the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults as a journey toward a living relationship with Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church. It gives an overview of what OCIA will consider throughout the year, namely, the four pillars of Christianity as found in Acts 2:42. These four pillars are the Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments, and Prayer.

This class gives an overview of Salvation History showing how God's plan of salvation has unfolded over time and extends to our own day. It begins by considering the time periods of the Old Testament which are a preparation for the Savior, Jesus Christ. Further, it shows how the salvation which Jesus offers humanity continues in the history of his Catholic Church and reaches even to the present moment of today.

This class reflects on the meaning and interrelationship of Divine Revelation, Sacred Tradition, and Sacred Scripture. It considers how God has fully revealed himself and his plan in Jesus Christ. Further, it shows how Divine Revelation is transmitted through Apostolic Tradition. Finally, it explains Biblical inspiration and how one can properly interpret God's Word.

This class looks into the characteristics of faith and what it means to say "I beleive." It also considers the relationship between faith and reason. Moreover, it introduces the Creed as a summary of faith. Finally, it presents the revelation and divine attributes of the one God as well as reflects on the highest mystery of faith, the Holy Trinity, that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This class goes into the person and mystery of Jesus Christ. It begins by considering Jesus' Incarnation and the meaning of the Word made flesh. It also discusses the Virgin Mother of God, Mary and her special role in this great work. Finally, it reflects on the Public Ministry of Christ focusing on his proclamation of the Kingdom of God and his miracles.

This class reflects upon the suffer, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It looks into what led up to Jesus crucifixion, the historical details of his passion, and the saving meaning of his sacrifice. Further, it considers the event and significance of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Finally, it closes with an exposition on the Stations of the Cross.

This class considers the person and identity of the Holy Spirit and introduces the nature of the Catholic Church. It begins by looking into the the biblical names and symbols of the the Holy Spirit. Further, it looks into the Spirit's relationship to the mission of Christ and of his Church. It concludes with an exposition of the divine and human reality of the Church and offers many scriptural images which help explain the mystery of the Church.

This class considers the importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints. It begins by distinguishing devotion and worship due to God alone. Further, it looks into the main doctrines regarding Mary and her special role in the life of a Christian. Next, it reflects on the Communion of Saints and the relationship among those on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. Finally, it presents the role of the saints and the process of canonization.

This class introduces one to the Sacred Liturgy and the Seven Sacraments. It first reflects on the heavenly and earthly meaning of the liturgy and then shows the interrelationship among Christ, the Church, and the Sacraments. Further, it gives a an overview of the seven sacraments as outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace. Finally, to highlights the central elements of the Church's liturgical year.

This class looks into the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. First, it considers their prefiguration in the Old Testament. Then, it presents the particular words and actions which make up their outward signs. Next, it shows the scriptural foundations for both sacraments as well as the graces which God gives in each of these sacraments. Finally, this class offers an overview of the rite of baptism and confirmation.

This class presents the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. It begins by showing the names and the Old Testament prefigurations of the Eucharist. Further, it considers the outward sign, the interior graces, and the scriptural explanations of this sacrament. Finally, it outlines the major themes for understanding the Eucharist, namely, the Real Presence, Memorial Sacrifice, Communion, and Eschatological Banquet.

This class considers the two sacraments of healing, Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. If first covers the names and Old Testament prefigurations of confession. Then it presents the outward sign, interior effects, and scriptural foundations of reconciliation. Further, it shows how to make a good confession. Finally, it reflects upon the outward sign, interior effects, and scriptural basis of the anointing of the sick.

This class presents the sacraments at the service of communion and mission, namely, Holy Order and Marriage. It covers the Old Testament prefigurations, outward sign, interior effects, scriptural foundations, and special considerations of holy orders. Next, it outlines the unique roles of bishops, priests, and deacons. It closes by introducing the purposes and goods that God has created in the institution of marriage.

This class presents an explanation of the various parts of Holy Mass. It is meant to be carried out in a Church so that one can better understand the rich meaning, history, and theology of this holy sacrifice. It considers the Mass' two major divisions, that is, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It also shows how Christ's four-fold action at the Last Supper of taking, blessing, breaking, and giving is reflected in every Mass.

This class presents Christian prayer and the rosary. It introduces what prayer is and the basic forms and expressions of prayer. Included in these topics are adoration, praise, thanksgiving, contrition, petition, intercession, vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Next, it reflects on the significance of the rosary as a way of contemplating the life of Christ. Finally, to outlines the joyful, sorrowful, luminous, and glorious mysteries of the rosary.

This class continues the theme of Christian prayer and considers the Our Father and the Liturgy of Hours. It begins by reflecting on the dispositions one needs in pray. Further, it presents an in depth catechesis on the Lord's prayer. Finally, it outlines the Divine Office or Liturgy of Hours as the official prayer of the Chruch and illustrates how to pray Evening Prayer.

This class gives an overview of the foundations and principles of morality. It begins by considering human actions, happiness, freedom, and responsibility. Next, it presents the object, intention, and circumstances of moral actions. Further, it reflects upon the passions, moral conscience, and the virtues. It closes by looking into the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

This class continues to consider the foundations of Christian morality. It begins with an explanation of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Further, it goes into the nature of mortal sin, venial sin, and vice. Finally, it reflects upon the fundamentals of Catholic social teaching and presents the core principles of human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity.

This OCIA class looks into the final things of death, judgment, heaven, hell, and purgatory. It first distinguishes the last things in regard to the individual and then everyone. Next, it considers the Christian meaning of death, the particular judgment, and the final judgment. Further it presents the scriptural and traditional evidence of purgatory. Finally, it reflects on the permanent pains of hell and the perpetual glory and joy of heaven.

This class teaches how to pray with the scriptures, how to maintain a strong spiritual live and offers a summary of the RCIA class. It starts by presenting the four steps of Lectio Divina, that is, reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Next, it offers ideas for spiritual reading and a daily prayer life. It concludes by reviewing the four pillars of faith, that is, the Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments, and Prayer.