OCIA Coordinators’ Latest Update: 5/29/2026
In the One Christ We Are One
(Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
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The coat of arms of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, bears the Latin inscription, “In the One Christ We are One.” St. John the evangelist recounts how Jesus reveals to his disciples and to us at the Last Supper, that He is one with the Father. He takes the Passover bread and the blessing cup of wine and transforms them into a sacrament of his ultimate offering to God, the sacrifice of his life for the world’s salvation. It is a new and eternal sacrifice.
This new sacrament of communion offered to the Church represents a way to be united to Christ after he’s offered his human life to the Father and no longer walks on the earth. Jesus wants us to draw close. He remains close through the mystery of his paschal sacrifice. Our Eucharistic procession on this feast of Christ’s Body and Blood brings his footsteps to our neighborhood. But Christ also desires communion with us in this sacrament.
Initiation into the Catholic community through baptism or reception into the Catholic Church allows us to share fully at the Eucharistic table. We process forward to celebrate our unity in the Body of Christ. Those not sharing our Catholic faith may be united to us as sisters and brothers through Christian baptism and are welcome to come forward for a blessing. Those of us already Catholic but who feel the need for reconciliation through the sacrament of confession may also step forward for a blessing.
Asking for a blessing from the communion minister is not a penalty, but an invitation to join ourselves fully to Christ through reception into the Catholic Church or by seeking out the sacrament that puts our hearts right before God, reconciliation. Christ invites us to be fully united with him in his unity with the Father.
There is still time to join our summer 2026 OCIA process for those seeking baptism, full Communion with the Catholic Church or completing the sacraments of initiation: Confirmation and/or first Communion.
We are hosting two cohorts, one on Monday evenings led by Ed Harasim and another on Thursday evenings, led by staff member, Victor Lara. Don’t delay registering or reaching out for more information! Registration will close in a few weeks.
Register here. Please email Fr. Radley Alcantara, Associate Pastor, or Ed Harasim, OCIA Coordinator, for further information on the process of joining the Church or completing your sacraments of initiation through Confirmation and/or First Communion.
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