OCIA Volunteer Opportunities

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (O.C.I.A.) is the Proper Name of the process of becoming Catholic.  It is not so much a program as a process. Through the OCIA, men and women discern God's call to enter the Catholic Church and are helped along in this process by many Catholics of their parish. Can you help the men and women in St. Ann's OCIA?

There are in fact many simple ways to volunteer with St. Ann OCIA ministry:

Become an OCIA Sponsor | Everyone going through the OCIA process needs a sponsor. The role of the sponsor, however, is not to answer all the questions about the Catholic Church (we have our catechetical sessions for this). Rather, the sponsor acts as a mentor in faith and will walk the initiation journey with their candidate.  Additionally, they stand next to them during the rites of initiation that take place throughout the process. As a sponsor, you will participate in the three rites, accompany your canidate to as many classes as possible, and join in the RCIA retreat. You must also be a Catholic in good standing (meaning a Catholic who follows the Church's teachings and has a habit of attending Sunday Mass, has a life of prayer, and aims to prioritize God and faith in your life).

Become an OCIA Team Member | As an OCIA team member, you would work with the director in helping accompany and catechize those who are in the process of becoming Catholic Christians.  In order to be a member of the team, you must be a Catholic in good standing, feel a call to work in evangelization and education of new members of our Faith, and be able to make some time commitment to the process in either full time or part time capacity.  

Become a Part Time OCIA Team Member | The OCIA process is segmented into four stages, each bringing those on the journey closer to union with the Church.

The first stage is called Inquiry and can last as long as it needs to for each individual.  During this stage we simply learn more about the Catholic Faith as the inquirers discern whether they want to pursue the process of OCIA further.  Those in Inquiry learn to pray with scripture, the way Catholics worship in the mass, and have an opportunity to discuss whatever questions they may have. 

The second stage for unbaptized individuals is called the Catechumenate.  Those in the catechumenate have made the decision to move forward with coming into the Church therefore the classes are more systematic and cover everything from the Sacraments to the Moral life.  For persons already baptized in another Christian denomination, this stage is Candidacy for Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Faith.  

The third stage - begins in Lent and is the period of Purification & Enlightenment - we continue to dive deeper into the mysteries of Catholicism in an intense time of preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Great Vigil of Easter.
And finally, the fourth stage, known as Mystagogy - follows the Neophytes through a period of time as new Catholics, and supports them in becoming settled in their new faith life.

As a part time OCIA Team member, you would join us for any one of these stages of the OCIA process, ministering to each stage as you feel called.  Some might prefer to help catechize in the Catechumenate where others might feel more called to help the newly inquiring in the Inquiry stage, while others might desire to help accompany new members deeper into the faith and parish life.
 
Become a Full Time Team Member | If you would rather join us for the entire process and participate in the planning of the OCIA as a whole, we would always love to have you as a full time OCIA Team member. This is a larger time commitment, but certainly one that is both worthwhile and deeply rewarding.
 

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If you are able to volunteer for any of these above ministries, please fill out the short registration form below.