Becoming Catholic – OCIA

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Do you have questions about what it means to be Catholic? Maybe you have been a Christian in another Christian tradition. Maybe you have no formal Christian background. Perhaps you were baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church or in another Christian denomination but that is the extent of your Christian formation.

Welcome to our OCIA course! OCIA—the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults—will help you learn more about the Catholic faith as you prepare to become Catholic and enter the Church. It’s Catholicism 101. Each Tuesday night we will hear a presentation about a certain topic important to the faith. It’s a great place to learn more and find answers to questions that you may have! Hors d’oeuvres will be served, so don’t miss out!

All nights begin at 7 pm.

Interested in joining OCIA? Contact us at info@bulldogCatholic.org for next steps or more information.

Our OCIA classes take place on campus at Griggs.

Date	Topic
September 15	Open Door: Truth & God’s Existence
September 22	Open Door: Jesus: What is In a Name
September 29	Open Door: The Church
October 6	Intro to OCIA & the Process
October 13	God, Creation, Sin \| Man’s Response to God
October 20	The Trinity
October 27	Mary
November 3	Prayer and the Spiritual Life
November 10	Intro to the Sacraments
November 17	Baptism
November 24	Confirmation
December 1	The Eucharist
December 8	Teaching Mass
January 19	Sacraments of Healing
January 26	Confession
February 2	Marriage & Holy Orders
February 6	Theology of the Body Workshop
February 9	The Four Last Things
February 16	Intro to the Moral Life
February 23	Commandments 1-3
March 2	Commandments 4 & 5
March 16	Commandments 7, 8, & 10
March 23	Holy Week

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is OCIA for?

Those who are not baptized and want to become Catholic
Those who are baptized in another Christian tradition and want to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church
Baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or Eucharist
Anyone who wants to learn more about Catholicism, even if they’re not sure about becoming Catholic

Q: When does OCIA start?

OCIA begins officially with the launch of Open Doors on Tuesday, September 15.

Doors open at 6:30 pm with talks beginning at 7:00 pm. Each session is 90 minutes long. The process culminates with the celebration of the Easter Vigil on March 27, 2027.

Q: Where is OCIA held?

We will be hosting all OCIA nights on campus at UMD in the Griggs Center.

Q: Do I have to commit to becoming Catholic to join?
No! You’re welcome to attend, ask questions, and discern at your own pace. There’s no pressure to make a decision.

Q: What if I can’t make it to every class?
While we want to see you at class every week, we know that life sometimes prevents that from happening. We ask that you just communicate with the OCIA team ahead of time so we can work with you and walk alongside you in the process of entering the Church.

Q: Is there a cost to attend?
Nope. It’s completely free. All materials are provided.

Q: Do I need paperwork?
Not right away! If you are joining us to learn more – no paperwork required! If you are joining OCIA to become Catholic – we will need the following:

OCIA Inquiry Form:
We will distribute this form at OCIA. Once our OCIA team has received it, we will schedule a meeting with the OCIA team.
Baptismal Record: If you have been baptized in another Christian denomination, we will need a copy of your baptismal record dated within the 6 months leading up to reception into the Church.
Marriage Certificate: If you are married outside the Church, you will need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate.

We will help you navigate all of the necessary documentation as you prepare for the OCIA process.

Begins: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 7:00 pm