2024-2025 OCIA Sessions
 Thursdays at 7:00pm 
 in the Family Room 

Recordings of the OCIA sessions can be watched on our YouTube Channel: Watch Online

**ALL RECORDED SESSIONS ARE IN THE 
 OCIA PLAYLIST ON YOUTUBE**

     The OCIA:  The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults:  Ultimately, it is the Lord who inspires conversions, and we are but instruments of His initiative.  Every year in our parish, we meet people who are seeking the truth.  Some are the spouses of Catholics, some are engaged, and others have come here following the Christian witness of neighbors, friends or co-workers.  Some have even arrived after a period of personal study.  In the Christian context, ‘conversion’ refers to a change, a turning or even ‘a returning’ to God.   It entails accepting the fullness of the Faith.  We acknowledge the gift of grace in the conversion process.  For many ‘converts’ an initial step is an investigation and examination of the credentials of the Church and her teachings.  My mother’s father, as a Baptist, was one who had many questions about the teachings of the Catholic Church.  He asked his questions to a Dominican priest in Washington, D.C. and when he was satisfied with the answers, he took instructions and was received into the fullness of the Catholic Church prior to marriage. 

      We have the gift of reason, and I think that it is reasonable to believe and yet Faith as a divine virtue is beyond a mere intellectual conviction. The OCIA is among my great joys in pastoral ministry.  The OCIA is a period of discernment, prayer and study in which the Church instructs and then receives new adult members.  At the Easter Vigil, some will receive the fullness of Catholic Initiation with the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  Those who have already been validly baptized will celebrate the sacraments of Penance, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.  There is always joy when one comes to the reality that our Church is the mystical Body of Christ and the Family of God.  Within the Catholic Church, we find the fullness of the Faith.  The sacraments are for us the channels of sanctifying grace and the steppingstones to eternal life.  Typically, in the Diocese of Charlotte, about 1000 persons are received into the fullness of the Faith every year, while perhaps more than 1 million are received into the Church throughout the world.

      I should note, however, that all are called to an ongoing conversion.  We should turn from sin and turn to the Lord. The call is for Catholics to live the Faith with joy and to share it with others.  It involves a missionary spirit.

     In our OCIA sessions, we welcome all who desire to learn. For some, this may be an opportunity for a “refresher course” in the Faith.  I am the director of the OCIA and I am thankful for the dedicated parishioners who assist me. Please invite anyone you know who may be interested in the Catholic Church. 
                                           
In peace,   
      Fr. Mark Lawlor, Pastor

The Visual Bible, The Acts of the Apostles taken word for word from the New International Bible.  It is recommended that you watch one chapter every week during the OCIA.  It is an excellent production.  Please search for this online as we are unable to keep the direct link to the videos on our website.