A Journey of Faith with OCIA

“Go, 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 28:19-20

These were the words Jesus left with His apostles and shares with us today.

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) process is the Catholic Church’s answer to fulfill what Jesus told us to do. OCIA provides an avenue for non-believers to become believers in our Lord and to give other adults an opportunity to renew their faith in our church by completing the Sacraments of Initiation; Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

At Easter Vigil this spring we welcomed eight people into the Catholic Church. They were an enthusiastic group of teenagers and adults, who came to know our faith and Jesus.

Supporting these new Catholics this year was inspiring for the OCIA team and parish sponsors. Their excitement in their spiritual journey was contagious to those of us who were already Catholic and involved in our faith.

As parishioners you are invited to assist us with evangelization by referring a friend or relative who may be interested in our faith or coming back to the church to complete their Sacraments. We begin our weekly sessions on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30 p.m. in the AV room of Culemans Hall. If you refer someone, you are welcome to accompany him or her on this journey.

More information may be obtained by contacting the parish office at

(309) 762-2362 or emailing Sandy at scarlsten@sacredheartmoline.org

The team and parish sponsors are looking forward again to embarking on the next faith-filled journey with a new group of inquirers in September. Prior to his papacy in a 2023 interview, Pope Leo XIV stated when speaking on evangelization, “…Our first task is to teach what it means to know Jesus Christ.” That is the goal of OCIA here at Sacred Heart.