O.C.I.A.
See what God wants for you...
Welcome! We had a wonderful group on Wednesday September 3rd, 2025. There were about 30 people in attendance. We would have loved to have you with us. The evening started with a PowerPoint slide show narrated by one of our facilitators and evangelists, Shannon Counihan. The slide show started with a quick familiarizing of the amenities offered during every session held in McMullan Hall.
AMENITIES
BATHROOMS
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Our OCIA sessions are taking place in McMullan Hall. When you walk in you will see where we meet set up with round tables and chairs. Across the hall towards the back is a doorway with a green exit sign above it. It leads to a hallway where you will find the women's restrooms on the left and the men's restrooms on the right followed by a water fountain. There are several stalls in each restroom. We do ask that you accompany your children under ten years old because there is an alternate exit to the building and we don't want anyone to get lost.
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Children's room
There will be one of our children's CCD classes open and available for your little ones to color, do schoolwork, watch some really old but interesting Catholic videos (we even have VHS!), play games, or do some arts and crafts. Each session will have at least two teen supervisors ready to help them. Hopefully this will help you feel more comfortable in attending our sessions in person.
refreshment table
Our wonderful Hospitality Team is responsible for all of the yummy snacks available at each session. We will always try to have something healthy, and something less healthy but comforting, for you to snack on. Coffee (even decaf), tea, hot chocolate, and water will always be available. There is no fee or donation required or expected. We encourage you to participate (if you want to) by bringing a little something to share. Everything is made possible by the generous people of our parish.
information table
We will always have an information table set up with many useful resources. There will be an updated schedule of our sessions, flyers for upcoming events, information pertaining to the topic of the evening, and even sacramentals that have been donated by the generous people of our parish community. All of these items are free. We do not require a fee for these sessions, nor do we ask for donations. If you woud like to make a donation, you can give it to the church office with a note.
QUESTION AND ANSWER BOX:
We have a system that will hopefully be very fruitful in answering common questions about the faith. It is our FAITH WELL. You can take an index card and write down your question, put it in the faith well, and it will get answered by one of our evangelists at the end of each session. There is no need to put your name on the question unless you desire to do so. If we cannot answer your question, we will seek out the answer for you. We are extremely dedicated to helping you in your faith walk so that you can join our wonderful Catholic family.
We have a system that will hopefully be very fruitful in answering common questions about the faith. It is our FAITH WELL. You can take an index card and write down your question, put it in the faith well, and it will get answered by one of our evangelists at the end of each session. There is no need to put your name on the question unless you desire to do so. If we cannot answer your question, we will seek out the answer for you. We are extremely dedicated to helping you in your faith walk so that you can join our wonderful Catholic family.
Faith Walk- Camino
There is a very famous pilgrimage called the Camino De Santiago. Pilgrims from all over the world travel to Spain and France to participate in this month-long spiritual faith walk. We are also on a Camino- a Faith Walk- together. We have come from different starting points and yet we are seeking the same thing. What is it that we are all seeking? Union with God. We have been created to KNOW Him, to LOVE Him, and to SERVE Him so that we can be happy with Him here and for eternity in heaven. Tonight, our paths converge. We begin our journey together. The Camino De Santiago has tour guides that set you on the right path, help you be prepared for the journey ahead, and may even join you in your pilgrimage. Saint Malachy Catholic Church is offering the same thing for your spiritual Camino. We have several wonderful teams dedicated to helping you along this path to God.
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HOSPITALITY
Our Hospitality Team is dedicated to welcoming you to each session, answering any of your questions, and helping you in any way that they can to make you comfortable.
pictures coming soon!
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EVANGELISTS
Our Evangelist Team is ready to answer any of your questions regarding the Catholic faith. They will present a different topic at each session, sometimes using a video or guest speaker. They are eager to help you on your path to understanding what God is calling you to.
pictures coming soon!
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FACILITATORS
The Facilitating Team is the behind-the-scenes machine, making sure everything gets done properly and on schedule. This includes applications, certificates, planning outings, organizing events, and anything else God wants them to do.
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PRAYER WARRIORS
The Payer Warrior Team is the most important team we have. They are dedicated to taking your prayer requests and praying for you daily. Their prayers, fasting, sacrifices, sufferings, and acts of thanksgiving are offered to God to help you on your faith walk to receiving the sacraments and becoming more closely united to Him. Never hesitate to ask for prayer when you need it. We have you covered!
THE PATH TO BECOMING AN ADULT CATHOLIC
1: INQUIRY - 10 weeks
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Every Wednesday 6:30 – 8:00 pm
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• Mass 5:30 pm- Optional but encouraged. There will almost always be a daily Mass provided before our
OCIA sessions. The more you attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the better prepared you will become.
• Opening Prayer 6:30 pm - PUNCTUAL - We will always be as punctual so we can respect people's family
and work schedules.
• Each session will begin with a quick overview of the Saint of the day, the Liturgical Season, and what the
Gospel reading was the previous Sunday.
• Next there will be a quick review of previous week's topic. This will help refresh everyone's memories and
also give the late people a chance to arrive without feeling guilty.
• At about 6:45 the main topic will be presented by an Evangelist team member.
• There may be a video or a guest speaker to help supplement the session.
• After the topic has been presented there will be a moment to answer questions from our Faith Well that
is on the Information Table. The amount of questions answered will depend on how much time we have
available.
• Closing Prayer 8:00 - PUNCTUAL
• After everyone is dismissed, there will be time for optional discussion, additional Q&A, and fellowship if
needed.
OCIA sessions. The more you attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the better prepared you will become.
• Opening Prayer 6:30 pm - PUNCTUAL - We will always be as punctual so we can respect people's family
and work schedules.
• Each session will begin with a quick overview of the Saint of the day, the Liturgical Season, and what the
Gospel reading was the previous Sunday.
• Next there will be a quick review of previous week's topic. This will help refresh everyone's memories and
also give the late people a chance to arrive without feeling guilty.
• At about 6:45 the main topic will be presented by an Evangelist team member.
• There may be a video or a guest speaker to help supplement the session.
• After the topic has been presented there will be a moment to answer questions from our Faith Well that
is on the Information Table. The amount of questions answered will depend on how much time we have
available.
• Closing Prayer 8:00 - PUNCTUAL
• After everyone is dismissed, there will be time for optional discussion, additional Q&A, and fellowship if
needed.
INQUIRY TOPICS:
- Holy Trinity & Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ
- Apologetics & Ecumenism
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Tour of the Church
- Prayer, Devotion, & Healing
- Introduction to the Bible
- Israel & Rome
- The Church
- Catholic Pro-Life
2: CATECHUMEN - 10 weeks
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Every Wednesday 6:30 – 8:00 pm (This may change depending on the group's needs)
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• Commitment – Now that the time of Inquiry is over, we begin the Catechumenate with an application
that addresses the need for more personal information to complete your legal sacramental certificates
you will be receiving at Easter. If you haven't already done so, your certificates you have for the
sacraments you have already received are due at this time.
• YOU WILL NEED A SPONSOR
• YOU WILL NEED A PATRON SAINT
• At this point it will be required for you to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday and holy
days of obligation.
• You will be given a series of prayers to learn, don't worry, they are not hard.
• You will begin to learn about parish life at St. Malachy and how we celebrate the Seven Sacraments.
• There will be several MANDATORY dates that you should put on your calendar now as to avoid a
scheduling conflict later.
• This is the time to work out any conflicts with paperwork and protocol.
that addresses the need for more personal information to complete your legal sacramental certificates
you will be receiving at Easter. If you haven't already done so, your certificates you have for the
sacraments you have already received are due at this time.
• YOU WILL NEED A SPONSOR
• YOU WILL NEED A PATRON SAINT
• At this point it will be required for you to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday and holy
days of obligation.
• You will be given a series of prayers to learn, don't worry, they are not hard.
• You will begin to learn about parish life at St. Malachy and how we celebrate the Seven Sacraments.
• There will be several MANDATORY dates that you should put on your calendar now as to avoid a
scheduling conflict later.
• This is the time to work out any conflicts with paperwork and protocol.
3. PURIFICATION & ENLIGHTENMENT - 6 weeks
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DATES AND TIMES TO BE DETERMINED
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• Rites and Scrutinies - This is an intense time of constant liturgical celebrations all centered on bringing
you into the fullness of faith.
• You will be required to have an increased presence at church.
• This will also be a beautiful and fruitful time of reflection and preparation; a deepening of your faith walk.
• Your sponsor will need to be present to most of the MANDATORY dates that are on the schedule.
you into the fullness of faith.
• You will be required to have an increased presence at church.
• This will also be a beautiful and fruitful time of reflection and preparation; a deepening of your faith walk.
• Your sponsor will need to be present to most of the MANDATORY dates that are on the schedule.
4. MYSTAGOGY - 7 weeks+
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DATES AND TIMES TO BE DETERMINED
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• This is the very fruitful time after initiation when you are ready to start living your adult catholic faith.
• You will learn to deepen your faith life by joining others in ministries, organizations, prayer groups, bible
studies, and perhaps even help one of our OCIA teams!
• You learn how to use your new spiritual gifts by exploring the Catholic way of life.
• We will have the opportunity to go on local pilgrimages together and to visit other Catholic churches and
different religious orders.
• You will learn to deepen your faith life by joining others in ministries, organizations, prayer groups, bible
studies, and perhaps even help one of our OCIA teams!
• You learn how to use your new spiritual gifts by exploring the Catholic way of life.
• We will have the opportunity to go on local pilgrimages together and to visit other Catholic churches and
different religious orders.
WHAT IS A SPONSOR?
YOU WILL NEED A SPONSOR BY NOVEMBER 1ST
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A sponsor is a person who joins you on your faith walk, much like a guardian angel. They are there to support, encourage, guide, and guard you from the temptations of your previous life.
The qualifications for a sponsor are as follows: • Age 18 or older • Is not an immediate member of your family • Has received the sacrament of CONFIRMATION • Attends Mass every week • Is a Catholic in good standing with the Church • Can commit to the schedule of OCIA in mandatory dates and several optional dates. If you cannot find a sponsor that fits these requirements, let us know! We have wonderful people who have volunteered to be sponsors! |
WHAT IS A PATRON SAINT?
YOU WILL NEED A PATRON SAINT BY NOVEMBER 1ST
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"All Christians are called to be saints. Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation." - USCCB
We believe that our brothers and sisters in Christ, who have gone before us, can assist us in our spiritual journey. We are encouraged to ask for their help. We tend to gravitate to saints in whom we share an interest. For example, if you are interested in music, Saint Cecelia is a great patron saint to learn about. The Catholic church has promoted patron saints as a helpful assistant for any vocation or state of being.
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Here are a couple resources to help you find a patron saint you might want to learn about:
(We are not promoting any of these websites, these are merely resources to assist you)
OUR NEXT SESSION WILL BE
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THE HOLY TRINITY & LIFE OF JESUSPresented by: Evangelist Nathan Spencer
Wednesday Sept 10th
6:30- 8:00 pm McMullan Hall Please feel free to bring a treat to share with others. |
Thank you for attending in person and/or online. We are here for you!