Becoming Catholic | OCIA
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Becoming Catholic at St. BonifaceWe're so glad you're here!
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We accompany you! Our Becoming Catholic team accompanies people at every place on their faith journey, including those who are inquiring about the Catholic faith and those who already know they want to join the Catholic Church. We also help those who have been away from the Church return at a comfortable pace.
Depending on your faith background, the length and pace of your journey to become Catholic may differ from others. Rites and sacraments take place when both the individual and the parish are ready. Prayerful discernment is always a part of each person’s journey.
Have questions or want to begin the journey? For more information and to set up an initial inquiry conversation, please contact Faye Akers, [email protected], or 515-987-4597.Find out more!
Please scroll down this page to learn about:- inquiry conversations
- formation sessions
- retreats
- sacramental celebrations
- rites of the Order of Christian Initiation for unbaptized persons
- steps in the process for baptized Christians
- steps for Catholic adults not yet confirmed
- how we walk with families and children
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How do I become Catholic?Depending on your faith background, the length and pace of your journey to become Catholic may differ from others. Rites and sacraments take place when both the individual and the parish are ready. Prayerful discernment is always a part of each person’s journey.
First Step: Inquiry Conversation
The first step is an inquiry conversation. During that conversation, we listen to your faith story and discover how we can best help you on your spiritual journey in the areas of word, worship, witness and community (see Acts 2:42-43). You'll receive a tentative schedule, formation resources, and more details at this time. To schedule an inquiry conversation, contact Faye Akers at [email protected] or 515-987-4597.Next Steps: Formation
Next we'll develop an individualized discipleship path to guide you on your journey, as well as match you with a faith journey companion or sponsor from our parish. In addition to attending Mass each week, any or all of the following steps may also be part of your journey:- meet one-on-one with a faith companion, sponsor, or team member
- attend formation sessions (usually meet Sundays after 8:30am Mass)
- attend Scripture reflection sessions based on the Mass readings (usually meet on Sundays as part of Mass)
- participate in parish study or faith sharing groups
- participate in parish events, parish service, or community outreach opportunities
Additional Steps: Rites, Retreats, and Sacramental Celebrations
Whether you're already baptized in another Christian tradition or not, your faith journey will follow your discipleship path and will likely include: discernment conversations with team members and your faith companion, certain rites at Mass, special liturgies, occasional blessings, and one- or two-day retreats.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the journey unbaptized adults travel to become Catholic and fully initiated into the Church. It is more than just learning the history, rules and regulations. It's about building a relationship with God and the worshiping community. To learn more about the OCIA, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website at https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/christian-initiation-of-adults
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Adults who have already been validly baptized in another Christian faith tradition follow a path customized as much as possible to their unique needs and previous faith journey. It's likely that the length and pace of your faith journey may differ from others. Rites and sacraments take place when both the individual and the parish are ready. Prayerful discernment is always a part of each person’s journey.
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Baptized Catholic adults seeking to be confirmed follow a path customized as much as possible to their unique needs and previous faith journey. It's likely that the length and pace of your faith journey may differ from others. The sacrament is celebrated when both the individual and the parish are ready and with the permission of the Bishop. Prayerful discernment is always a part of each person’s journey.
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Children ages 4 or younger are usually baptized without formal preparation. Parents are expected to attend a preparation class before an infant or young child is baptized.
Children ages 5-6 may be baptized following a short period of informal catechesis. A family formation plan is determined after a conversation with the parents and the child.
Children ages 7 or older are expected to participate in a period of formal catechesis before being baptized or making a profession of faith. This preparation includes weekly Mass attendance, parent and family formation, as well as regular participation in the parish faith formation program (or attendance at a Catholic school) for at least one year. Parents are also expected to attend a Baptism preparation class and appropriate adult formation sessions before their child is baptized.
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Catholic FoundationsOur Catholic Foundations series includes a variety of topics that we are developing and continually refining. Sessions are intended to be an introduction to and starting point for those who participate -- not a masters or doctoral degree in Catholicism! Below are some suggested links and Q&A resources.
Why Catholic?
Watch "Why be Catholic and not just Christian?" (9 min) with Fr. Mike Schmitz at this link.
Read Ch 3, "Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature," from the US Catholic Catechism for Adults at this link.
The Trinity
Listen to "The Nature of the Trinity," with Fr. Mike Schmitz (17 min) at this link.
Read Ch 5, "I Believe in God," from US Catholic Catechism for Adults at this link.
The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion
Watch “What are the Sacraments?” video (8 min) at this link.
Read Ch 15, "Baptism: Becoming a Christian," at this link.
Why Mass?
Read Ch 14, "Celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ" at this link.
Read Ch 17, "Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life" at this link.
Watch the "Why Mass?" video series (5 min segments) at this link.
Good & Evil: The Healing Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
Watch "Why confess my sins to a priest?" (9 min) at this link.
Read Ch 23, "Life in Christ, Part One (Morality & Sin)" at this link.
Read Ch 24, "Life in Christ, Part Two (God’s Law & Church as Teacher)" at this link.
Living for Others: The Sacraments of Service: Marriage & Holy Orders
Watch "What is Marriage?" (6 min) and "What about Human Sexuality?" (8 min) on FORMED at this link. For a free FORMED account, sign up at this link.
Read Ch 20, "Holy Orders" at this link.
Read Ch 21, "The Sacrament of Marriage" at this link.
Lent: Converting and Constant Conversion
Listen to "Converting…and Constant Conversion" (30 min), with Bo Bonner at this link.
Watch "Where Is Lent in the Bible?" (8 min) with Fr. Mike Schmitz at this link.
Why Pray?
Listen to "Why Pray?" audio (30-min) with Bo Bonner at this link.
Read Ch 35, "God calls us to pray" at this link.
Watch "Fr. Mike's Prayer for Beginners" (6 min) at this link.
The Sacraments
Read Sacraments & Sacramentals at this link for an overview and to learn more about:- Sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)
- Sacraments of healing (Penance & Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick)
- Sacraments of service (Matrimony, Holy Orders)
Praying the Mass- Click here to watch the video recording of a past session of Praying the Mass (it begins at about 9:00 minutes)
- Click here to view and print the script for our Praying the Mass session.
- Click here to view and print questions and answers from a past session.
How do Catholics read the BIble?
Read Ch 3, Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature, at this link.
Click here to view and print questions and answers from a past session.
Catholic Social Teaching...How do We Live It?
Watch Catholic Social Teaching in 2 Minutes at this link.
Watch Catholic Social Teaching 101 (3-minute videos) on FORMED.org at this link. If you don't have a FORMED account, you can sign up free at https://formed.org/signup
Read Ch 31, The Seventh Commandment/Catholic Social Teaching, at this link.
What's in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
Read the Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church at this link.
Click here to view and print questions and answers from a past session.
Grace & the Holy Spirit
Watch "The Gift of Grace" (8 min) at this link.
Watch "What does the Holy Spirit actually do?" (9 min) with Fr. Mike Schmitz at this link.
Read Ch 24, Life in Christ, at this link.
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Becoming Catholic Photos
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Becoming Catholic BrochureClick here to view and print our Becoming Catholic brochure.
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Internal FormsInquirer Information Sheet [click here]
Sponsor Information Sheet [click here]
Parish Ministry Application [click here]
Becoming Catholic Team Ministry Roles & Descriptions [click here]
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Already Catholic? Share your gifts with others!If you’re already Catholic, we’re happy to talk with those who may be called to share their gifts as:
- prayer partners
- faith companions or sponsors
- hospitality or session hosts
- faith story tellers
- catechists
- small group facilitators
Serving on the Becoming Catholic team is an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith and grow in your relationship with Jesus, too! For more information, please contact Faye Akers in the Faith Formation Office at [email protected] or call 515-987-4597.
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