ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN (OCIC)

Welcome to the Order of Christian Initiation for Children!
The Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) program is the process for a child to become Catholic
and prepares children for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist

if they have not been brought into the Catholic faith by Catholic Baptism as infants.

This program is for children between 3^rd Grade and 8^th Grade.

The program’s goal is to help children understand the foundation and essential teachings of God and the Catholic Church

through the Word of God (Bible), Church Traditions, the Sacraments, prayers, and other Church teachings.

Through these classes, we hope to help them deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, who truly loves and cares for them.

In addition, we hope to gradually prepare them to enter the worship assembly (Mass)

with a profound understanding and great joy of being a part of the Body of Christ, the Church

“Jesus said to his apostles,
‘God, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’”
Matthew 28:19

EXPECTATIONS:

1. Parents / Child(ren) are required to attend weekly Sunday Mass.
2. OCIC Classes begin annually in September and conclude at Easter.
3. Parents are required to attend with their children.
4. Parent / Sponsor/Child(ren) attend all the prayer services and Masses for the Rites before/during Lent, services/Masses during Holy Week, Rehearsal for Easter Vigil Mass, and Easter Vigil Mass to receive the Sacrament(s).
5. Parents/ Child(ren) are also required to be enrolled in Faith Formation (K-5^th Grade) or Youth Group (6-8^th Grade).
6. Families are strongly encouraged to attend our Family Events and Parish Activities to grow in relationship with our Church of St. Patrick faith community.
7. A Godparent/Sponsor is required and must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic in good standing at least 16 years of age and may not be the candidate’s parents.