OCIC

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults - Adapted for Children

If you are new to the Catholic faith or returning, St Paul Newman Center the Catholic Church provides an initiation journey of faith for your children culminating in the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. We are delighted to partner with you to walk through this process which will result in a joyful celebration with the Lord for your family!

The Newman OCIC Leadership Team of volunteers, Clergy and Staff assist in both the Administration and coordination of the lessons with teachers to shepherd parents and children through the process.

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults Adapted for Children (OCIC) For children aged 7 to 17 who HAVE NOT been Baptized in any Christian faith.

This process involves four distinct periods incorporating steps within each period as signposts on the journey:

• First Period: Evangelization and Pre-Catechumenate*- A period of inquiry and learning about the Catholic Faith. First Step: Rite of Entrance (*Catechumen is an ancient term referring to those who are preparing to be baptized)
• Second Period: Catechumenate
• Third Period: Purification and Enlightenment
• Fourth Period: Mystagogy-Neophytes (newly initiated) engage in a period of reflection of what they have experienced and continue to grow in faith.

Through this process and Order of Initiation into the Catholic Church the children who are prepared will receive:

• The Rite of Entrance, Penitential Rite and Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. These Sacraments will be received at Easter Sunday Mass.
• The process involves 2 years of weekly religious education through Faith Family and Friends for their grade level as well as a curriculum in their 2nd year, of 16 weekly home-based lessons with parental leadership with periodic meetings with other OCIC children and parents to build community and strengthen each other’s understanding of the Sacraments.

Older Student First Communion Sacramental Preparation (OSSP) For children aged 7 to 17 who HAVE been Baptized in Christian faith:

• This process also involves 2 years of weekly religious education through Faith Family and Friends for their grade level as well as a curriculum in their 2nd year, of 12 weekly home-based lessons with parental leadership as well as periodic meetings with the OCIC students and parents to build community and strengthen each other’s understanding of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.
• OSSP children will join 2nd Grade children and will receive the Penitential Rite (First Reconciliation) prior to receiving First Communion in the Spring.

Requirements:

2 Years of Child’s Registration and Attendance at Newman Center’s Faith Family and Friends Religious Education classes for their grade level. In the 2nd Year children still attend weekly FFF class as well as begin home-based Sacramental preparation program.

Next Steps:

Register your child(ren) in the Fall for Faith Family and Friends Religious education for their grade level. Make sure you indicate when you register them that they have NOT received the Sacraments of Baptism OR First Communion. Classes are held weekly on Tuesday evenings with a gathering at 6pm and then children are dismissed to their classes for one hour ending at 7:15pm.

After registration, the OCIC team will reach out to you to explain further steps in the Sacramental Preparation process.

We look forward to accompanying your children and your family on this journey of faith!

If you have immediate questions, please contact: [email protected] for more information.