Interested in Becoming Catholic?

Whether you are ready to become Catholic, have questions about the Faith, or simply feel God calling you to explore something more, St. Bernadette welcomes you.

Wish to become Catholic?

Whether you are ready to become Catholic, have questions about the Faith, or simply feel God calling you to explore something more, St. Bernadette welcomes you.

The First Step Is a Conversation

Every person’s faith journey is different. Some have never been baptized. Some were baptized in another Christian tradition. Others were baptized Catholic but never completed their Sacraments of Initiation.

You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. OCIA provides a place to ask questions, learn about the Catholic faith, grow in prayer, and discern where God may be leading you.

Reaching out does not commit you to becoming Catholic. It simply opens the door to a conversation. If you feel drawn to the Catholic Church, we invite you to contact the parish office. We would be glad to hear your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your next step.

Begin Your Inquiry
“I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”
— John 6:37

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” — John 6:54

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“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” — John 6:54 ✙

Who Is OCIA For?

  • I have never been baptized.

    Those who have never been baptized enter the OCIA process as catechumens. Through prayer, formation, participation in parish life, and discernment, catechumens prepare to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist and become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

  • I was baptized in another Christian tradition.

    Those who have already received a valid Christian Baptism do not receive Baptism again. Through formation and prayer, they prepare to make a Profession of Faith and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, receiving the Sacraments needed to complete their initiation.

  • I was baptized Catholic but have not completed all sacraments.

    Adults who were baptized Catholic but did not receive First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation are also invited to take the next step.

    The appropriate formation may vary depending on which Sacraments you have already received and your previous formation in the Catholic faith.

Begin my inquiry

What is the journey to become Catholic?

OCIA is more than a class. It is a journey of conversion, formation, prayer, discernment, and participation in the life of the Church. While each person's journey may look different, the process generally moves through several stages.

  • The journey begins with a conversation.

    This is an opportunity to share your faith story, learn more about Catholicism, ask questions, and begin discerning whether God may be calling you into the Catholic Church.

    There is no obligation to become Catholic simply because you begin asking questions or participating in the inquiry process.

    Contact the parish office to get started.

  • As the journey continues, participants grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith while developing a deeper life of prayer and participation in the Church.

    Formation helps prepare each person not simply to receive the Sacraments, but to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church.

    At St. Bernadette parish, OCIA is currently offered on a one-on-one basis. Participants receive individual guidance from an OCIA teacher to learn about Catholic beliefs, the precepts of the Church, prayer, the Sacraments, and life as a Catholic.

    The current process also includes participation in our foundational Faith Formation sessions that explore why we are Catholic, along with individual meetings with the OCIA teacher.

    To learn more about Family Faith Formation, click here.

    Interested in becoming Catholic? Visit our OCIA page here.

  • Throughout OCIA, the Church celebrates a series of liturgical rites marking important moments along the journey.

    For those preparing to enter the Church through OCIA, this journey ultimately leads toward the reception of the Sacraments appropriate to each person's circumstances and full initiation into the Catholic Church.

  • Receiving the Sacraments is not the end of the journey.

    Those newly initiated into the Church are called to continue growing in prayer, participating in the Sacraments, becoming part of parish life, serving others, and deepening their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Begin my inquiry
Begin my inquiry

Welcome to Catholicism

We’re so happy you’re here.

become catholic