Religious Education
Catholic Religious Education (RE) is the lifelong process of learning the beliefs, traditions, and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. It aims to foster intimacy with Jesus Christ and integrate faith into daily life. Instruction spans Scripture, sacramental preparation, and Catholic social teaching.
Depending on how individuals engage with the Church, this education takes distinct forms:
- Catholic Schools: In Catholic schools, RE is a core part of the daily curriculum alongside math or science. It explores the Catholic worldview while critically engaging with other faiths and worldviews.
- Parish Religious Education (CCD/PSR): Often referred to as CCD or Parish School of Religion (PSR), these classes are designed for public or secular school students. They provide foundational instruction and prepare children to receive sacraments like First Communion and Confirmation.
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA): This is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.
CCD Classes for 2026/27
Religious Education Coordinator: Deacon Ruben Soliz
Starting: September 13, 2026
Cost: $10 per child; $5 for each additional child from same family.
01
Kinder to 5th Grade
Sundays from 9:00am to 9:50am
02
6th to 12th Grade
Sundays from 10:00am to 10:50am
03
OCIA
Sundays from 9am
04
Baptism Class
2nd Tuesday of the Month 7pm
Adult Religious Education
Who is OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for?
Unbaptized Adults
If you are an unbaptized adult, or a child over seven years old, who wishes to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, then OCIA is for you.
Baptized Christians
If your baptism was performed in a religious denomination, it may be considered valid by the Catholic Church. Find out more if you want to enter into full communion with the Church.
Baptized Catholics
If you are a baptized Catholic who never completed religious education or received Confirmation and First Holy Communion, OCIA is for you.
Still have a question?
You may still be wondering how to get started, what OCIA involves, or if you qualify...
OCIA is a Journey
List of Services
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Pre-CatechumenateList Item 1
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
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Order of InitiationList Item 2
The first order in the OCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Order of Election
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
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Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the OCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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MystagogyList Item 4
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The OCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."
Likewise, the language used in the OCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.
OCIA TEAM
People journeying through the OCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The OCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community.
Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
