Becoming Catholic
Becoming a Catholic is an important decision in your life, a decision that is made after careful thought and prayer. We believe that your decision to look into the Catholic Church is your response to an invitation made by Jesus to come to know Him through this community.

In other words, Jesus is inviting you into a personal relationship with Him. Conversion describes the process of coming to know Him more deeply. The Catholic community of St. Joseph wishes to serve as an instrument to help you to grow in your relationship with the Lord. 
 

OCIA (RCIA)


The process of entering the Catholic Faith and becoming a member here at St. Joseph is one that has long been used throughout the history of the Church. This process is called OCIA or the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Explore this site and some of the associated links. Watch the videos on this page of some of our own parisioners on their journey back to the Church.

Are you a former Catholic looking to come home? Are you interested in learning more about beoming Catholic?  If so, please contact us today!

OCIA at St. Joseph is a faith journey providing an opportunity to grow and deepen in faith while discovering how God is active in everyday life.  Whether a person has a strong faith with a lot of religious formation or none at all, OCIA is a chance to learn more about the Catholic Church.  Participants in OCIA, through sharing and discussion about Catholic beliefs and practices, learn about the Catholic Church.  

The OCIA process includes presentations, sharing, and questions and answers about the Church and its beliefs, sacraments, traditions, customs and symbols.  It is a requirement for all participants in the OCIA to have a sponsor who is willing to accompany them through this process.   This personal sponsor (a spouse, friend, or relative) must be a practicing Catholic.  If a personal sponsor does not meet this requirement or if the person does not want to choose a personal sponsor, arrangements will be made for a parish sponsor.


Catechumens and Candidates 
Those who are not baptized are called, "Catechumens".   They begin meeting in the Pre-catechumenate studying topics on Christianity, Catholicism, and Scripture.   These sessions are held to help prepare the catechumens for entering sessions in preparation for the celebration of the Initiation Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.  Those who are baptized in another Christian tradition are called "Candidates".  At the Easter Vigil, the candidates make a Profession of Faith, receive First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Church.

Those people baptized Catholic who have not experienced any religious instruction in the faith and who are seeking to receive their First Communion and/or Confirmation will also join the OCIA process before receiving Sacraments.  The OCIA process is designed to respect the dignity of all Baptisms and the value of all religious backgrounds.   In the OCIA process participants will meet and get to know others who are on their "spiritual journey" while involved in the OCIA journey.   A baptismal certificate is required for all baptized OCIA participants.   This proof of baptism can be obtained by contacting the church where the Baptism took place.   This can be a baptismal Certificate or letter.


Opportunities for Spiritual Growth 
OCIA is a process that provides basic information about Christianity and the Catholic Church.   In addition it provides an opportunity to experience a Catholic Christian community worshiping, praising, sharing, socializing and fellowship.   The community journeys together, learning and educating themselves on their life-long journey, seeking to know God better and to develop a love relationship with God.


OCIA Meeting Schedule
The OCIA sessions are held every Thursday evening in the Parish Center.   These sessions are held September through Easter. 


How do I register or become a sponsor? 
Please contact Connie Grindel for more information.
(573) 756-4250 or rcia@stjosephfarmington.com
 

CATHOLICS COME HOME

catholicscomehome.org

This reflective "Movie of Your Life" commercial from Catholics Come Home brings about sorrowful reflection of the bad times in our lives, as well as the joyful reliving of the good. Thankfully, we are reminded that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it! This commercial teaches us that it is never too late to ask for God's forgiveness and to accept His mercy. The Catholic Church waits with open arms to welcome back those who have drifted away, those whom God is calling home.