Curious about the Catholic faith? Interested in becoming Catholic? Want to come back to the Church? Need to receive the Sacraments of First Communion or Confirmation?

The OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults - formerly known as RCIA - is a program simultaneously ancient and modern. Over the centuries, the OCIA slowly faded out of practice. The Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965, called for a renewal of the treasures of faith. From this initiative, the OCIA was restored. In 1974, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults was promulgated and has become the standard for parishes throughout the world. Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil,  thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).  

If you are over the age of 18, please register for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program by calling  our office at 724-287-1759.

Preliminary Schedule For the 2025-2026 OCIA at All Saints Parish. Sessions will be held on Wednesday at 6:30PM, in the double-classroom at Saint Conrad Church, at 125 Buttercup Road.  Sessions will last approximately one hour.

September 17

Overview of the OCIA process/Welcome/Introduction of the team 

September 24

Presentation of Bibles, as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, to the OCIA candidates.  Discussion of the role of Scripture and Tradition in the life of the Church.

October 1

Feast of Saint Teresa of Lisieux.  Discussion of the role of the Communion of Saints, and our baptismal call to holiness.

October 8

The role of the Second Vatican Council in the life of the Church.

October 15

Prayer as the Foundation of the Spiritual Life.  

October 22

No session 

October 29

The Role of the Blessed Mother in the life of the Church

November 5

Exploring the Mass ~ Liturgy of the Word

November 12

Exploring the Mass ~ Liturgy of the Eucharist 

November 19

Discussion of the Christmas story, and the Infancy Narratives; as presented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. 

**********HOLIDAY BREAK********************

January 21

The Sacraments ~ Outward signs of God’s love.

January 28

Sacraments of Initiation ~ Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation 

February 4

Sacrament of Marriage 

February 11

Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick

February 18

Ash Wednesday ~ No session 

February 25

Sacramentals and Devotional Practices

March 4

Church Councils, and the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church 

March 11

Individual meetings with Fr. John at Saint Paul Church [No class at Saint  Conrad.]

March 18

Celebrating Saint Cyril of Jerusalem; patron saint of OCIA.

March 25

Solemnity of the Annunciation; Final session 

April 4 ~ Holy Saturday 

11AM, Rehearsal for the Easter Vigil 

8:30PM, EASTER VIGIL AT SAINT PAUL CHURCH 

The Scrutinies will be celebrated during the 10AM Mass at Saint Paul Church on March 8, 15, and 22.

Contact:  
Fr. John Baver:  [email protected]  / 724-287-1759 x1001

Here are terms you will encounter during the OCIA process:

CANDIDATE - is a person baptized in another Christian denomination who is now seeking to join the Catholic Church.

CATECHUMEN - an unbaptized person seeking to become Catholic.

RITE OF ELECTION - during the Lenten season, the catechumens are invited to a special service at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. They are greeted by Bishop David Zubik, and joined by catechumens from throughout the Diocese. This is a beautiful way for the catechumens to see the universality of the Church. As we know, Catholicism is much bigger than one parish or region.

SCRUTINIES - on three consecutive Sundays at the 10am Mass at St. Paul Church (All Saints Parish), the candidates and catechumens will be invited to enter the Sanctuary. Over these three weeks they will be presented with the Nicene Creed and Lord’s Prayer. This is our opportunity to see those seeking to join our parish, pray for them, and encourage them on the journey.

EASTER VIGIL - the evening before Easter Sunday, the Church celebrates the Easter Vigil. This is the most solemn, and longest, Mass of the year. During the Vigil, our candidates and catechumens will receive the sacraments and make their profession of faith.

FULL COMMUNION - in order to be a full member of the Catholic Church, a person needs to be baptized, confirmed, receive Holy Communion, and make a profession of faith. During the Easter Vigil, the sacraments received by our candidates and catechumens may vary depending upon their faith background. What is certain is by the end of Holy Saturday night, all will be new members of All Saints Parish!

Information: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults/