OCIA Classes

Welcome, my friends! Let me start by saying how glad I am that you’re here. Seriously. Whatever brought you into this room today  -  curiosity, love, tradition, or maybe even a little holy confusion  -  you are not here by accident. The Catholic Church believes the Holy Spirit has a way of arranging encounters at just the right time, and your being here is proof. Now, let’s get this out of the way,,,

I’m glad you returned for round two of our journey. That already tells me something about you: you’re serious about exploring this path. Or at least you’re curious enough not to run for the hills after Session 1. Either way  -  that’s a win. Today we tackle the single most important question of your entire life: Who is Jesus Christ? Now, you may think you know the answer...

You’ve now made it to Session 3. That’s commitment! You’ve already learned why OCIA matters and who Jesus Christ is. Today we ask: How does God speak to us? If someone asked you, “What’s the Catholic user manual for life?” you might say, “The Bible.” And you’d be right  -  but not completely...

You’ve made it to Session 4  -  and that’s no small thing. At this point, you’ve already learned what OCIA is, who Jesus Christ is, and how God speaks through Scripture and Tradition. Today we take on the central mystery of Christianity: the Trinity. Now, don’t panic. The Trinity can feel like theological rocket science. But remember: the Church doesn’t expect you to solve the mystery  -  just to enter into it. St. Augustine once said, “If you think you understand God, it’s not God you understand.”

Congratulations  -  you’ve reached the end of Phase 1 of OCIA! That’s already a big deal. By now you’ve heard about what OCIA is, who Jesus is, how God speaks to us in Scripture and Tradition, and the mystery of the Trinity. Tonight’s topic is where all those threads come together: the Church. And right away let me say: the Church is not just a building, or a collection of rules, or a Sunday obligation. It is something far more beautiful and far more personal...

We’re now entering Phase 2 of OCIA, called the Catechumenate. This is where we start to dive deep into the core of Catholic life. And at the very center of Catholic life are the Sacraments. If you’re new to Catholicism, the word “sacrament” might sound mysterious  -  or maybe even intimidating. Don’t worry. By the end of today, you’ll see that sacraments are actually very simple and very beautiful. They’re the way God uses ordinary things  -  like water, oil, bread, and human words  -  to give us His extraordinary grace...

Last time, we began our journey into the sacraments with an overview of all seven. Today we’ll zoom in on the first two sacraments of initiation: Baptism and Confirmation. These sacraments are like the front door and the foundation of the Christian life. Through them, we become children of God and receive the strength of the Holy Spirit to live as faithful disciples. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where do I really begin in the Catholic Church?” the answer is here...

Today we arrive at the very center of Catholic life: the Eucharist. If Baptism and Confirmation bring us into the family, the Eucharist is the family meal that sustains us. But it’s more than a meal  -  it is Christ Himself. The Church calls the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Everything in our faith flows from it, and everything leads back to it. If you understand the Eucharist, you understand Catholicism. If you miss the Eucharist, you miss the heart of it alL...

You’ve already explored Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist  -  the sacraments that bring us into the Church and nourish us with God’s life. Today we’re turning to a sacrament that restores us when we fall: Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance. Let’s be honest: this sacrament has a reputation. For some, it’s the one they fear most. Others haven’t gone in years. Some picture it as a Catholic guilt machine where you sit in a dark box and list your failures to a stranger. But...

We’ve been walking through the sacraments step by step. So far we’ve covered Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Reconciliation. Today we move into a different category: the Sacraments of Service. The first one is Marriage. Now, marriage is something most people have an opinion on. Some of you are married. Some are engaged. Some may have been married before. Some may be discerning whether marriage is for you. Wherever you are, today we’ll look at...

Last time we explored the sacrament of Marriage  -  how two people, with Christ at the center, become a sign of God’s love for the world. Today we turn to another sacrament of service: Holy Orders. At the same time, we’ll look at the bigger picture: vocation. That’s a word Catholics love to use. It comes from the Latin vocare, which means “to call.” A vocation isn’t just a career or a hobby. It’s the way God calls you to love and serve in the world...

By now, we’ve explored the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), the sacrament of healing through Reconciliation, and the sacraments of service (Marriage and Holy Orders). Today we continue with another sacrament of healing: Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament often carries misunderstanding. Many people call it “Last Rites,” as if the only time you receive it is when you’re on your deathbed. But that’s not true...

You made it. After months of preparation, learning, prayer, and discernment, you experienced the Easter Vigil. Whether you were baptized, confirmed, or received into full communion, you are now fully Catholic. Congratulations! But here’s the thing: this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. You didn’t graduate from OCIA  -  you were born into the sacramental life of the Church. Now we step into Mystagogy  -  a fancy Greek word meaning “entering into the mysteries.” Today’s session is all about reflecting on the Easter Vigil and sharing...

Last time, we reflected on the Easter Vigil and shared the joy of your sacramental experiences. Today, we turn to what sustains that joy: the Mass. You’ve received the Eucharist for the first time. Now comes the lifelong rhythm of receiving it again and again. That rhythm is called Sunday Mass. Some people wonder: “Why do Catholics have to go to Mass every Sunday? Can’t I just pray at home?” Today we’ll answer that. By the end, you’ll see that Sunday Mass is not a chore. It’s a gift  -  essential to living your Catholic life...

Last time we talked about Living the Mass and why Sunday worship is the heart of Catholic life. Today we take the next step: Life of Service. Because here’s the truth: Catholic life is not just about receiving  -  it’s also about giving. Jesus Himself said: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). If that’s true for Him, it must be true for us. So today we’ll explore: why service matters,  how to discover your gifts, where to serve in parish life, how service strengthens both you and the Church...

Last time, we talked about Life of Service  -  discovering your gifts and joining parish ministries. Today we focus on something equally important: Ongoing Formation. Why? Because entering the Catholic Church at Easter wasn’t graduation. It was initiation. The Catholic faith is deep, rich, and endless. You could study it your whole life and still learn something new every day. That’s the beauty of it. Today we’ll talk about how to keep learning, keep praying, and keep growing in your Catholic life...

We’re almost at the finish line of our OCIA journey. Last time, we talked about Ongoing Formation  -  how to keep learning, praying, and growing after Easter. Today, we focus on something that flows naturally from that growth: evangelization and community. Now, don’t panic at the word “evangelization.” Some people imagine street preachers with megaphones or awkward conversations with coworkers. But evangelization doesn’t mean you need to...

Can you believe it? We’ve reached our final OCIA session. You’ve journeyed through Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and now Mystagogy. You’ve celebrated the sacraments at Easter, reflected on them, and grown in community. Now, today is not just a conclusion. It’s a sending forth. The goal of OCIA isn’t simply to prepare you for Easter. It’s to prepare you for a lifetime of Catholic discipleship. So today, we’ll celebrate what God has...