Becoming Catholic or Returning to the Church
Welcome to OCIA
OCIA: the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which someone joins the Catholic Church and receives the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Communion (Eucharist).
OCIA sessions meet on Monday nights 7:00-9:00pm starting July 27, 2026. If you are interested in becoming Catholic or preparing for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmed, please fill out the inquiry form linked below.
If you have any questions please contact Brenden Bell at ocia@olmctempe.com for more information.
“The Church is a house with a hundred gates: and no two men enter at exactly the same angle.” - G.K. Chesterton
If you are over 18 years old and have already received the sacrament of baptism and made your first communion and are only in need of Adult Confirmation please follow this link to the Adult Confirmation page.
Ways to Support OCIA!
There are several ways to help support the OCIA program.
Financial Support
The OCIA program also cost about $100 per person for materials and expenses. We do not want to turn anyone away from the church because of financial hardship, therefore we need financial support to offset the cost of this program.
The OCIA Team
Participants in OCIA come from all walks of life and faith backgrounds. Therefore the OCIA program needs dedicated volunteers in a variety of roles to help accompany and guide them in the faith. Consider applying to be on the OCIA team.
Become a Sponsor
Each participant needs a sponsor for baptism and/or confirmation. A sponsor is a practicing Catholic who can be an example and mentor. Some participants can’t find a sponsor, if they are new to the Catholic faith. We need practicing Catholics who are willing to be sponsors for those who need them.
To support OCIA in any of these ways, please follow the link below to fill out the OCIA support and Volunteer Form. Thank you for your time and generosity.
Contact Information
Prayer for OCIA
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who left the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. You sent your Apostles out into the world to preach the good news to all nations, and since then, you have never ceased to call new people into your Church. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon those you are now calling to enter or return to your Church. Give them the courage to seek you Lord as you have first sought them. Give us all the courage to invite and encourage those in our lives who are in need of your grace and truth.
Purify and bless those Candidates and Catechumens who are currently in OCIA preparing to receive your blessed Sacraments this Easter. Grant them knowledge of the faith and let them grow in trust and love of you. Remove all obstacles in their path and fill them with the joy of your Resurrection. Reveal to them the tender love of the Father and patient intercession of your Blessed Mother. Help us to welcome them into the Christian community and be examples to them of faith, hope and love.
We ask this in your name Lord Jesus. Amen.