Interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith?
If so..... JOIN US FOR OCIA!
Many adults entering the Catholic Church, or those just thinking about it, follow a process known as the OCIA—the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The OCIA process has several distinct stages:
- Inquiry: the initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You're asking questions and checking it out, but aren't yet ready to commit.
- Catechumenate: those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you're developing your faith and are being "catechized"—learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.
- Purification and preparation: The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter. If you're following the OCIA process, you'll go through a beautiful series of Gospel-based meditations during Lent.
- Initiation: the culmination of the whole process! You're received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you'll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you've already been baptized, you won't be baptized again.) At St. Bartholomew, First Reconciliation (Confession, Penance) is celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Mystagogy: after reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.
Note: RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is now OCIA: Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Why the name change? This name change reflects the Catholic Church's desire to return to the most accurate and precise English translations from previous Latin texts.
OCIA Sessions
Sessions for the 2025-2026 year will begin on September 11th, 2025. St. Bartholomew parish hall (lower level of the church), Thursdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Who can be in OCIA?
OCIA is for adults who are not baptized or adults who were baptized in the Roman Catholic church but not catechized or completely initiated, and those individuals from another Christian church who are in need of instruction and initiation.
For more information or to register for our OCIA program, please contact Diane Schafer at 812-379-9353 ext. 1240 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
