From Word to Worship to Witness

The life of faith is lived in community with other believers. We are called, by God, to community. To be formed in the faith, in part, is to be prepared for life in a community – a life marked by service, humility, and charity.

Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course 2022-2023

Following Jesus and living as a Catholic is a life-long process of conversion, formation, education, and on-going conversion. As adults we should always be continuing to learn and grow, about our faith and the world around us.

New This Year

This year we are doing something new with our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults formerly known as RCIA): We’re inviting ALL adult parishioners to learn about our faith and fall more deeply in love with Jesus.

The newly-created Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course aims to help all adults in our community:

  • Learn the faith

  • Celebrate the faith

  • Choose the faith

  • Pray the faith

  • Share the faith

  • Live the faith

 

For more information, call the Parish Office at (630) 969-1063 to speak with Father Shaun, or please complete the Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course questionnaire.

We invite you to embrace the invitation and challenge of an ever-deepening faith in Jesus. Whether you are a life-long Catholic, new to our parish, or attending Mass because your spouse is Catholic, our Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course is a way to deepen your faith, or, if you are interested, become Catholic.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 1:12

In a Catholic Parish, OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, is the amazing journey of entering into the fullness of the Catholic faith. Here at St. Mary’s, we will help you to learn, grow, find community, and prepare for the fullness of life that God desires for us all! Find this new, abundant life in Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course!

Our Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course is a way to deepen your understanding of our faith, and, if interested, become Catholic. It is open to everyone – whether you were baptized Catholic or in another faith tradition, or never been Baptized. Together, we welcome you to this amazing journey of faith.

For more information, please complete the Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course questionnaire.

Dates & Topics

The newly created Forming Disciples OCIA Inquiry Course is being offered in conjunction with Holy Hours. Together these two opportunities for “Adult Catechesis” form a robust and dynamic offering at St. Mary’s. What is Adult Catechesis? It is an invitation to faithfully and consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study. It is to enter into a better understanding of, and participation in, the full sacramental life of the Church. It’s being Catholic!

As noted above, these evenings are open to everyone. Come for one, come for all. You are welcome.

Part I: God Reaching Out to Us

September 6, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour – Jesus spent the night in prayer

September 13, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Parish Mission

September 20, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Light of Faith, beginning the faith journey

September 27, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour – Parents in Prayer

October 4, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour–Reflection on the Holy Spirit

October 11, 2022 @ 7:00pm in the Gathering Place
Topic: Divine Revelation

October 18, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

October 25, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Old Testament, including Creation, De-Creation & Re-Creation

November 1, 2022
All Saints Mass – Holy Day of Obligation

November 8, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour–Guest Speaker Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB

November 15, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: New Testament, including the Birth of Jesus, Ministry, Death & Resurrection

November 22, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: The Trinity: God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit

November 29, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Advent Holy Hour – God with Us, Hope for the World

December 6, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: The Church, including Models of Church

Part II: Worship – We Reach Out to God

December 13, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Advent Holy Hour & opportunity for individual confession

December 20, 2022 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Liturgy

January 10, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour featuring the prayerful sounds of Erin Lawrence, Music Director

January 17, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

January 24, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist

January 31, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick

February 7, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Sacraments of Vocation: Marriage & Holy Orders

February 14, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

Part III: Witness – We Journey Together

February 21, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Prayer

February 28, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

March 7, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Choosing Love: Morality

March 14, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

March 21, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Choosing Love: Loving God & Loving Neighbor

March 28, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

April 3-8, 2023 – Holy Week

April 9, 2023 – Easter Sunday

April 11, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Discerning Love: Moral Decision Making

April 18, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Witness to Love: Mary and the Saints

April 25, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

May 2, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Rejoicing in Love

May 9, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

May 16, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Church
Topic: Holy Hour

May 23, 2023 @ 7:00pm in Gathering Place
Topic: Continuing the Journey