The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process through which those seeking to join the Catholic Church are welcomed. This process--a journey of faith that takes about a year--is intended for those who have never been baptized.

Interested individuals meet with a member of the Inquiry Team. If a person decides to continue on their journey to the Easter sacraments, they celebrate the Rite of Acceptance, becoming a catechumen. Catechumens attend Mass each week and, after the Liturgy of the Word, are dismissed to break open that Word with a companion, learning more about the Catholic faith through the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. Accompanied by a sponsor from the parish community, and through experiences of faith sharing, prayer, service, and instruction, catechumens prepare to fully enter into the sacramental life of the Church at the Easter Vigil, celebrated the night before Easter Sunday.

Baptized Catholics who have not completed their religious education and those baptized in another Christian faith who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church will participate in a modified version of this process.

We welcome adults who are interested in receiving the sacraments, as well as those who wish to serve on the Catechumenate Team as a sponsor, catechist, or companion for Breaking Open the Word, to contact Nancy Douglass, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 856-667-2440, x349 for more information.