People get disconnected from God and the Church for various reasons. Sometimes it is a matter of just drifting away. Others may have experienced some hurt or disappointment in connection with the Church. Some may disagree with Church teachings or have issues connected to a marriage.
If you sense that God is calling you back to your Catholic faith, we can help you take those steps back into the faith. Msgr. Deutsch has been working for many years on the Catholics Returning Home Program. He has helped many come back to the Church. Many people think it is not possible for them to return, or “they are too far gone.” We want to assure you that we will walk with you on your journey back home. If you would like to explore the possibility of returning to the practice of your Catholic faith, please get in touch with Msgr. Dan Deutsch at ddeutsch@stpatrickparish.org.
Here is a link to a Catholic organization that exists to help Catholics find their way back to their spiritual home. These short video clips are excellent, so please take a look!
Just click on Catholicscomehome.org.
What is OCIA?
Are you interested in joining the Catholic Church? Or perhaps you are already Catholic and simply desire to learn more about your faith and to receive sacraments you may have missed. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (or OCIA) process introduces you to the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. It helps you explore what it means to be a Christian. It prepares you to enter fully into our community of faith through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Becoming Catholic is more than just learning scripture and rituals, it’s discovering how to be a disciple of the Lord.
We welcome all those who are:
- Adults who have never been baptized
- Adults baptized in a non-Catholic church but now desire to become Catholic
- Adults who were baptized Catholic but who have not received the Sacraments of Holy Communion or Confirmation
How to Start the OCIA Process
We understand getting started and “going all in” can be intimidating. As Jesus says to his disciples over and over again, “Be not afraid!” Our team is here to walk with you every step of the way at whatever pace is most healthy for you. For more information on what the process entails, contact Mark Hopkinson at 847.212.8263 or mark.robert.hopkinson@gmail.com.
The first session for OCIA 2025 is Wednesday, September 17, at 7:00 PM in the Fr. Carse Center (Basement) of our Downtown Campus.
For more information on what the process entails, please contact Mark Hopkinson at 847.212.8263 or email: mark.robert.hopkinson@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first night like?
The first night is inquiry and introduction of the journey of becoming Catholic. It is a super low pressure environment – if you are at all “on the fence” about committing, we invite you to at least come to the first meeting and see what it’s all about.
What's the long-term commitment?
We meet most Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. from September 2025 through Easter (April 2026). We totally understand that life can be chaotic, especially with young families and work schedules. Things come up and you may not be able to make a week here or there. But we assure you that there is so much beauty, truth and goodness to explore about the Catholic faith that this commitment will be worthwhile.
What's the Purpose?
To enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus through His Church. Our team is here to be a resource to you and your family. To walk with you in the life of faith, discovering the beautiful truth in God’s Church! We believe that it can transform your life for the better. Practically speaking, the culmination of the OCIA process will be at the Easter Vigil (Saturday, April 4, 2026) where you will receive the sacraments, the very life of God.
What's a sponsor? Why do I need one?
Each participant will have a sponsor who will support them on their faith journey. The responsibility of a sponsor is to help the person who is going to receive Baptism or Confirmation to lead a good Catholic life. The sponsor needs to be a Confirmed and practicing Catholic. If a candidate does not have someone to ask, no worries, we have many faithful parishioners who would be honored to serve as a sponsor.
Have questions? Looking for more info?
Or contact Mark Hopkinson at (847) 212-8263 or email: mark.robert.hopkinson@gmail.com