Coming to faith is rarely a single moment. For most, it is a long road of questions, companionship, and quiet discovery. Perhaps you were baptized Catholic but never received the other sacraments. Perhaps you are married to a Catholic and want to understand the Church from the inside. Perhaps the Lord has simply been drawing you, and you do not yet know what to call it. Wherever you are on that road, you are welcome.

The process by which adults enter the Catholic Church is called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or OCIA (formerly known as RCIA). It is not a class so much as a journey, walked alongside others who are asking the same questions.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process through which adults explore and, if they choose, eventually become Catholic — whether through Baptism or being received into full communion with the Church. Through OCIA you will have an opportunity to ask questions in a non-pressured environment alongside others who are on the same journey, learning the fundamental beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith and what it means to live as a Catholic. — Diocese of Arlington

How long does OCIA take?

The length of the OCIA journey varies from person to person. Some are ready after a single liturgical year; others need more time, and the Church honors that. Our aim is not to rush anyone toward the sacraments, but to walk with you until you are ready.

What happens next?

The first step is simply a conversation. Call our Religious Education Office and we will listen, answer your questions, and help you discern what comes next. There is no commitment — just a door.

Our Religious Education program forms children and young people in the Catholic faith from their earliest years through confirmation. We welcome students from every educational background — public, private, parochial, and homeschool — and we offer classes and sacramental preparation in both English and Spanish, for the whole parish family.

For information about enrollment, sacramental preparation, or the Religious Education programs offered, please reach out — our staff is glad to help.

Our parish Youth Ministry gathers high-school young people for prayer, friendship, and service — an environment where teens can grow in their Catholic faith surrounded by peers who are also trying to love the Lord.