OCIA for Children and Families

We’re so excited to journey with your family as we explore the beauty of the Catholic faith together! Our Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and adapted for children is designed to help kids—and their parents—grow in faith, deepen their understanding of God, and prepare to receive the sacraments in a welcoming, joyful community.

Why OCIA?

Whether your family is exploring the Catholic faith for the first time or returning to it more deeply, we’re honored to walk this journey with you.

We often hear questions like: “Why is there a formal process like OCIA? Can’t someone just get baptized like they do in other churches?”

That’s a great question! OCIA is not about adding hurdles—it’s about preparing hearts. It’s a sacred time to open ourselves to God, learn, grow, and prepare to live fully as members of the Church. Just like Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4–15), the Church wants to ensure that the seed of faith falls on fertile soil—so it can take root, grow strong, and bear lasting fruit.

  • OCIA allows time to reflect, ask questions, and grow spiritually
  • It provides community and support for families
  • It ensures your child receives the sacraments with confidence and understanding

Key Insights for Families

  • OCIA is a process, not a one-size-fits-all program. It meets you where you are.
  • Your presence matters. When parents grow in faith alongside their children, the journey becomes even richer.
  • This is formation, not information. Being Catholic is not learning a bunch of facts, it’s learning a way of life: how to pray and live as a Christian in the 21st century.
  • This is about transformation. We’re preparing not just for a moment, but for a lifetime with Christ.

What to Expect

  • When: Sessions begin Sunday, December 7th and run most Sundays from 10:30–11:45 AM. See our full session schedule for details.
  • Where: The Marian Room, St. John Parish Center
  • What to Do: Families are asked to attend Mass together, we encourage you to consider the 9:00 AM Mass since it is right before formation. During formation, we ask that at least one parent stay with their child to support and participate in the experience.

Sacrament Celebrations

Your child will receive the sacraments during the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 4th at approximately 8:00 PM.

A rehearsal will take place earlier that day to help everyone feel prepared and comfortable.

Godparent Requirements

  • At least one Godparent is required (two are permitted—one male and one female)
  • Godparents must be at least 16 years old
  • They must be baptized, confirmed, and practicing Catholics
  • They may not be the child’s biological parent

Optional: Families may also choose a Confirmation sponsor in addition to the Godparents.

Beyond Easter: The Journey Continues

After Easter, our OCIA sessions continue through April 26th. This post-sacrament season is called Mystagogy—a time of reflection, discovery, and community-building as your family settles into life as full members of the Catholic Church.

Each week, we’ll explore the faith through age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful activities designed for children—and shared with parents.

Have Questions?

We’d love to walk with your family. If you have questions or want to learn more, please contact our Faith Formation Team at faithformation@sjwest.org.

We can’t wait to grow in faith with you!

Session Schedule (TENATIVE)
Sponsor Form (required for Registration)