• 2026 OCIA Schedule

  OCIA begins this year on 1/24/2026 at 10:00 a.m., in the Parish Center.  Please call the office for more details.
  
  
  

  • 1/24/2026
  • 2/7/2026
  • 2/28/2026
  • 3/7/2026
  • 3/28/2026
  • 4/4/2026 Easter Vigil

  
  
• • OCIA is an acronym for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It has been re-established in the  Roman Catholic church as required by Vatican II in the 1960’s. This process was previously known as RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, until the U.S. bishops
     renamed it in 2021 to reflect a more accurate translation of the original Latin.
    
    
  • The primary purpose of the OCIA  process is the initiation of unbaptized adults into the church. Other applications include the  instruction of adults and children who were baptized in other faiths and of baptized Catholics who  are uncatechized.
     
  • The aim of the catechumenate process is inner transformation or conversion. It is a period of  formation in the whole Christian life. during the months of preparation, the catechuman is gradually  introduced to the parish community, entering its life through a series of rites which culminate in the  Easter vigil celebrations and rites.
     
  • The OCIA process has a renewing effect on the life and people of the parish community. Newcomers  to the faith are brought into its life at Easter, after an intense period of preparation through the  church year and the Lenten period. The OCIA process and liturgical rites become a mini- catechumenate for the entire parish.
     
  • The OCIA process at St. Matthew Parish is ongoing through each church year and has been active  since 1994.
     
    If you or a relative or friend is interested in becoming a Catholic or if you are a Catholic who has not  received First Eucharist or Confirmation and would like to, please contact Fr. James Flynn. Brochures  are available at church exits.
  • Please contact:
    • 

  Rev. James B. Flynn Ph.D.
  Pastor & Interim OCIA Director
  508-485-2285
  jflynnstmatthewsb.org