Welcome to Order of Christian Initiation of Adults Adapted for Children (OCIC)!
The Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) at St. Lawrence Catholic Church welcomes children and families on a journey of faith, discovery, and relationship with Jesus Christ.
OCIC is designed for children who are:
· Unbaptized and seeking Baptism in the Catholic Church
· Baptized in another Christian tradition and seeking full communion with the Catholic Church
· Baptized Catholic but who have not yet received First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Through prayer, learning, worship, and community, children grow in understanding of the Catholic faith while preparing to receive the Sacraments.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” — Matthew 28:19
OCIC Registration Is Open Now!!
Registration is now open to parish families and families seeking to grow in the Catholic faith! Hit the button below to register.
What is OCIC?
The Order of Christian Initiation for Children is a process of faith formation for children who are of catechetical age and are preparing to receive one or more Sacraments of Initiation.
Children participate in:
· Weekly faith formation sessions (catechesis and discussion)
· Scripture and Gospel reflection
· Prayer experiences
· Liturgical rites and celebrations
· Learning about Catholic beliefs and traditions
· Preparation for liturgical rites
Sacraments Celebrated
Children in the OCIC process may prepare to receive:
· Baptism
· First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion
· Confirmation
Sacraments are typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil Mass as children fully enter the sacramental life of the Church.
Liturgical Rites and Celebrations
Throughout the OCIC journey, children participate in special rites celebrated within the parish community, including:
· Rite of Acceptance
· Rite of Election
· Penitential Rites
· Presentations and Blessings
These celebrations mark important steps in the child’s journey toward the Sacraments.
Family Participation
Families play an essential role in the faith journey of their children.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to:
· Attend Sunday Mass regularly
· Pray together as a family
· Participate in parish events and liturgies
· Support their child’s faith formation journey
· Encourage ongoing conversations about faith at home
Faith formation is strongest when parish and family work together.
Who Can Register?
OCIC is open to:
· Children ages 13–17 seeking Baptism
· Children needing First Communion and Confirmation preparation
· Children preparing to complete their Sacraments of Initiation
· Families seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith