Dear friends,

Here at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, my mission as I see it, and as I have shared with you several times, is to guide every one of you who walks through our doors toward the path of eternal life with God, in other words, to heaven. As your pastor, I am committed to facilitating this journey through creating an environment for holistic education, sacramental preparation and celebration, and a lively worship experience. One vital aspect of this mission, which I would like to focus on in this article, is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, commonly referred to now as OCIA, formerly RCIA.

OCIA is a process of formation and discernment designed for adults seeking to join the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. This journey is designed to help individuals deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith, develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and become integral members of our parish community. Our parish is so fortunate to have a highly committed core team of catechists led by our highly dynamic and educated director of faith formation and evangelization, Brenden Bell, who shared something on this last weekend.

Dear friends, the OCIA process, as many of you know, is more than just a series of classes or meetings; it's a spiritual journey meant to transform hearts and minds and turn them to the Lord. It is an opportunity for our catechumens and candidates to create meaningful relationships with God and with their parish community and neighbors. Through the OCIA process, our brothers and sisters will be invited to:

• Explore the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church in depth.
• Reflect on their personal faith experiences and discern their call to discipleship.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the seven sacraments and our Catholic traditions.
• Form meaningful relationships with fellow seekers and members of our parish community.

Therefore, if you or someone you know is interested in exploring the Catholic faith or seeking to be received into the Church through the sacraments, I invite you to join our OCIA program. For details regarding our upcoming cycle, which will prepare participants for the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, please reach out to Brenden at the parish office at ocia@olmctempe.com.

Know that as your pastor, I am deeply committed to walking alongside you on this journey of faith. Together with me, our team of catechists, sponsors, and mentors are equally dedicated to providing support, guidance, and encouragement every step of the way. We look forward to welcoming you on this journey of faith and discipleship.

I love you!

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