OCIA

Are you or perhaps someone you know seeking Baptism or full Communion with the Catholic Church? Please accept our invitation to discern God’s call to full membership in the Catholic Church through the OCIA Ministry. Adults interested in full participation in the Church and learning more about Jesus, Sacred Scripture, the Sacraments, Prayer and much more are openly welcome faith formation sessions held weekly at 7pm in the Education Center.

Adults who have already received their sacraments and are fully initiated into the church are also invited to attend our OCIA classes as their schedules allow to learn more about the Church, they already call home.

Please see our calendar below and consider joining us for one or all of these sessions:

oCIA Volunteer Opportunities

• Parish Sponsor – Parishioners needed to serve as a parish sponsor who will help those in RCIA as a mentor. Could include accompanying to Mass, possible questions, etc. Not the same as a Godparent, although it could develop into that role.
• Guest Speaker – Parishioners needed to attend a faith formation session and discuss either a ministry they are involved in or relate a conversion story or any other topic that would help someone discerning coming into full Communion with the Catholic Church.
• Instructor – Looking for one-time or occasional instructors to lead a discussion on a faith related topic during a weekly formation session. Topic and research material can be provided or obtained on your own.
• Hospitality – Volunteer to set-up refreshments at Wednesday faith formation sessions.

For more information, please contact Deacon Vondercrone at the Parish Center at 215-721-0199 or email: deacon.vondercrone@stmariagoretti.net

Sessions held at 7pm in the Education Center

September

10th     Welcome:  Introduction (Team – Course) – overview – why we’re here

17th     Tour of Church (# – Sanctuary – Narthex) – hymnals (contents)

20-22      Forty Hours Devotion 

24th     The Mass – Liturgy of the Word – Liturgy of the Eucharist – Roman Missal – Lectionary – ORDO – GIRM 

OCTOBER

1st   Prayer – purpose – content – types (Our Father, Hail Mary, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen)                                                 

8th   Church:  Pentecost – Apostolic Age – Desert Fathers – opposition (heresies – Reformation) – Vatican II 

15th    Church:  organization – Papal Infallibility – Primacy – Magisterium – Traditions – traditions

 22nd    Church:  Marks – Precepts – Dogmas – Seasons/Liturgical Calendar

29th    Communion of Saints – canonization – feast days – types                                   

november

5th    The Bible – God is alive – love letter to humanity – Plan of Loving Goodness – Divine Revelation – Creation – Fall – Redemption – Salvation 

12th    Old Testament (46) – timeline – writing styles – heroes – villains – men – women

19th    New Testament (27) – timeline – Gospels – Letters – Revelation 

 26th   Thanksgiving – No Session 

 30th   Rite of Welcoming Mass 

December

3rd   Advent – Rite of Welcoming – Genealogy 10   Pascal Mystery – Incarnation of Jesus – Infancy Narratives

17th   Blessed Virgin Mary – “new Eve” – “our Mother” – Dogmas- Theotokus- Joseph                  

24th   No session

25th   Merry Christmas

31st   No session

January

1st Mary, Mother of God 

7th   Angels14   Devotions – Rosary – Stations of the Cross – Divine  Mercy – Mary, Undoer of Knots   

21st   Sin – suffering – forgiveness – virtues – indulgences

28th   Sacrament of Reconciliation – mercy (works)

4th   Apostles Creed – Nicene Creed – Ten Commandments –  Beatitudes- Trinity- Lent       

10th   Ash Wednesday

11th   Rite of Election/Sending – Scrutinies – Sacraments –     

13/14   Rite of Election/Sending

18th   Holy Spirit – gifts – fruits 

25th   Baptism – Confirmation

4th   Eucharist – Eucharistic Adoration (with Exposition and Benediction)           

11th   Matrimony – Anointing – Holy Orders

20th   Holy Week 

21   Palm Sunday – beginning of Holy Week

25th   Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday)                                                                                                         

26th   Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

27th   Easter Vigil (Saturday Evening)

28th   Easter Sunday

4   Divine Mercy Sunday – Reception into Full Communion/Continuing Conversion                             

Mystagogy:  evangelists – servants – disciples – SMG activities – celebration

Church Tour 2