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PORTAGE NORTH OCIA
Thursdays, 7 p.m. ~ St. Joe’s Parish Center ~ Year Round
Are you someone or do you know someone who . . .Is unbaptized and curious about faith in Jesus Christ?
Has questions about the Catholic faith or has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
Was previously baptized Catholic or in another Christian tradition, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist?
Join us for an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith. Sessions focus on developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and explore the teachings and experience of the Church. These sessions can also serve to prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at an appropriate time for the individual. You are welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights, and your faith story in a warm accepting setting. It is also a great refresher for those Catholics who want to know more about their faith!
If you are interested in joining in or learning more,
Don Engelhart (330-903-0928 / [email protected]),
Joe Daczko (216-233-8293 / [email protected]),
Angela Daczko (216-272-1506 / [email protected])
OCIA is designed to provide a path for adults, who freely respond to the calling of Christ, to grow in faith and be fully initiated into the life of the Catholic Church. We have discovered through the years that our meetings are also a great opportunity to learn more about our beautiful faith for anyone interested. We are all called to be instruments of God's love and our OCIA team is committed to offer support, guidance and prayer. Our sessions offer a welcoming environment to learn and to grow. Your presence at the meetings is a blessing to us, and your participation in the life of the Church brings renewal to us all.
OCIA Sessions Held At:
St. Joseph Parish Center located in the
Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes
11045 St. Joseph Blvd.
Mantua, OH 44255
330-274-2253
Looking at the Phases of OCIA:
First Phase ~ The Inquiry Period
A time of introduction to the gospel of Jesus Christ, of introduction to the Catholic Church and of deciding if one is ready to profess faith in Jesus Christ and begin the second period of the OCIA preparation to become a Catholic.
Second Phase ~ The Catechumenate Period
It begins with the Rite of Acceptance and is a time of more spiritual growth and learning about Christian beliefs and life as understood and practiced by Christians. This is a time of deeper prayer, reflection on the scriptures, attending Mass and involvement in the life of the Church.
Third Phase ~ The Period of Purification & Enlightenment
Normally from the beginning of Lent, it begins with the Rite of Election, held at the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown. The Bishop acknowledges the readiness of the Catechumens to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. This period involves meaningful ways of more intense prayer and preparation for receiving the Sacraments.
Fourth Phase ~ The Period of Mystagogia
The 50-day time period following Easter to Pentecost. The newly initiated Christians continue to reflect on their spiritual journeys and learn more about living the new life they have begun.
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“In the sacraments of Christian initiation
we are freed from the power of darkness and joined to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
We receive the Spirit of filial adoption and are part of
the entire people of God… ”General Introduction to Christian Initiation, no. 1
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Documents
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OCIA Team
Don Engelhart
Joe Daczko
Angela Daczko
Fr. Francis Katrinak, Pastor
Fr. Brian Smith, Parochial Vicar -
This is your invitation to
find out more about the Catholic faithDuring the process we will . . .
meet together
answer questions
teach about the faith
pray together
read and reflect upon Sunday Mass
and other Scripture readingsdiscuss our different understandings
There are no strings attached or assumptions made regarding your presence at the meetings. It is our hope that you will want to keep coming back!If in time you are someone who decides to seek full initiation, you will be introduced to steps you may take to move forward. There is an “order” an unbaptized person takes to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Within this order there are different steps and periods of time that take a person from inquiring to full initiation into the Church. Each step and period are meaningful and beautiful. In a similar way there is a path taken for those who have already been baptized but are seeking confirmation and/or full communion in the Church. -
Photo Albums
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The OCIA Process
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The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults describes a process in which men and women are guided and cared for as they awaken in faith and are gradually introduced to the Catholic way of life. 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 takes the distinctive history and spiritual needs of each person into account, differentiating between the baptized and the unbaptized, the catechized and the uncatechized. The needs of mature, practicing Christians from other faith traditions are considered on an individual basis.
The full OCIA process consists of four periods of awakening, growth and formation marked by celebration of three major rites involving the whole parish community.
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The First PhaseThe Period of Inquiry
The period of Inquiry is a time for:-
asking about the Catholic faith
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building community within the group
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developing a trusting atmosphere
More importantly, it is a time for:- examining God's presence in our lives, past and present
- learning about prayer
- fostering conversion
- developing or improving our relationship with God
- getting to know the Catholic Church
We read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also discuss topics such as: What brought you to OCIA? What is your image of God? Prayer, Liturgy, and the Saints. Who is the Holy Spirit? Who is the Trinity? -
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The Second PhaseThe Catechumenate
This period of study is a time for:-
"Breaking Open the Word" or reading & discussing the Sunday Gospel
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Continuing to build community within the group
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Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community
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Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church
More importantly, it is a time for:-
Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present
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Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish
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Fostering conversion
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Developing or improving our relationship with God
We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also discuss topics such as: Seasons of the Church, Who is Jesus, Mary & the Rosary, The Commandments, The Bible, Sin, Evil, Guilt, Morality, The Incarnation, The Catechism.
Rite of Election
The Rite of Election closes the Period of the Catechumenate. This rite normally coincides with the first Sunday of Lent. At this rite, upon the testimony of sponsors and catechists and the catechumens' affirmation of their intention to join the Church, the Church makes its "election" of these catechumens to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. In the presence of the bishop (or his delegate), they inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect at the cathedral as a pledge of fidelity. Now the catechumens are called "the elect' or "the illuminandi" ("those who will be enlightened"). -
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The Third PhaseThe Period of Purification& Enlightenment
They now begin a Period of Purification and Enlightenment — the final, intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. On the next five Sundays of Lent, three scrutinies (rites for self-searching and repentance) and the presentations of the Creed and Lord's Prayer take place. This period concludes with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
The Period of purification and enlightenment is a time for:
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repentance
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examining areas of sinfulness or weakness in our lives
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asking God's help in healing these areas
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prayer, fasting and almsgiving
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preparation for receiving the sacraments of initiation
We continue to read the Sunday Gospel and
discuss what it means to us in our lives.
We also learn about the seven sacraments:
Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation,
Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Holy OrdersThe period of purification and enlightenment is a time of final preparation for initiation. The period is one of prayer, fasting and reflection for both catechumens, now known as the Elect, and candidates.
During this period celebrated on the 3rd, 4th & 5th Sundays of Lent, the Elect experience scrutinies and exorcisms, special rites which seal their break with evil in preparation for baptism. These rites are for self-searching and repentance and have, above all, a spiritual purpose. Scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect and to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. They are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ. Just as our entire community is called to journey with the catechumens throughout the Lenten season, we recognize the need we all share for freedom from evil and its effects.
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The Fourth PhaseThe Period of Mystagogia
The period of mystagogia is a time for:- becoming more involved
in the parish
- living out the gospel way of life
- living a sacramental life
We also discuss:
Evangelization, Stewardship, Lay MinistryWe read the Sunday Gospel during the Easter Season and discuss what it means to us in our lives. Mystagogia is the final stage of the OCIA process, but it is in turn the beginning of a pilgrimage of lifelong, continuous conversion in full communion with the Roman Catholic community of Christians.
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Easter Fire!
The candidates and the Elect are initiated through the third and consummating rite of the OCIA process, the Sacraments of Initiation, at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. On that night, when light drives out darkness, joyful sounds fill the silence, and we proclaim and renew our resurrection hope, the Elect culminate their long journey to initiation in the waters of Baptism. Then, with the candidates, the newly baptized are sealed with the oil of Confirmation and share the Eucharist as full members of the Roman Catholic church.
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