OCIA

Any student who is interested in becoming Catholic is most welcome to join OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), which is the Catholic Church’s formal program of preparation for any person above the age of reason who wants to become Catholic and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. At Bethlehem Catholic High School, any student who is interested in becoming Catholic should contact the Chaplain and meet with him to discuss a plan of preparation. The Chaplain gives the student the option of whether or not they would like to do OCIA (faith formation and preparation) at school with other students and the Chaplain or at their nearest Catholic parish in their respective OCIA program. Sometimes, parishes don’t have OCIA programs for teenagers and so in those cases, the Chaplain would oversee the preparation and faith formation of the students at Bethlehem Catholic. Depending on the circumstances and the preference of the student, the Chaplain can bring the student into the Catholic Church at the upcoming Easter Vigil or the student can enter the Catholic Church at their nearest Catholic parish on the Easter Vigil.

Also, any students who are baptized Catholics and who would like to receive the other Sacraments of Initiation, such as Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, are most welcome to do so! Such students should contact the Chaplain and meet with him to discuss a plan of preparation. If such students only need the Sacrament of Confirmation, they will typically be confirmed by the Bishop on Pentecost Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown, PA. This is a great honor for our students! Like the other students in OCIA, the Chaplain would ensure that these Catholic students preparing for Confirmation are well-prepared and are adequately formed in the faith.

In both cases of non-Catholic students wanting to become Catholic and Catholic students wanting to receive the other Sacraments of Initiation (i.e. Holy Eucharist and Confirmation), if the student has already been baptized, they will need to give the Chaplain a copy of their baptismal certificate. Also, they will typically meet with the Chaplain weekly during school to discuss certain aspects of the Catholic faith that are pertinent to their preparation for entering into full communion with the Church.

Any students or parents who have any questions about OCIA and the process of becoming Catholic or receiving the other Sacraments of Initiation are encouraged to contact the Chaplain: Fr. Isaac

610-866-0791, Ext. 332

sisaac@becahi.org