Office of OCIA
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Our Vision is that the OCIA Office will:
- Foster the development of teams in the parishes of the Diocese, assisting them to utilize the four periods of the Catechumenate process and the various rituals as provided in the Rite, to proclaim the message of Jesus, teach his truth and extend his love to all those seeking full reception into the Catholic Church.
- Promote the collaborative effort of the entire parish community in the initiation of those seeking full reception in the Catholic Church, helping parishes to create opportunities of disciple apprenticeship for those seeking Sacraments of Initiation.
- Encourage collaboration and support among the OCIA parish teams of the Diocese of Metuchen in order to create various ways of sharing OCIA resources and networking with each other.
We also welcome those who are searching for a Faith Family, and those who are thinking about joining the Catholic Faith. We invite you "Come and See" if we can help you by accompanying and supporting you on your journey of faith. Send us your questions or comments. We'd love to hear from you.
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Parish OCIA Director/Coordinator Survey
Click Here
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The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a ritual text, prepared and issued by decree of the Roman Catholic Church. It prescribes the preparation and formation of all those who wish to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Faith Family.
Our Office is a resource for those who participate in this catechumenate ministry.
Our Mission is to empower the parishes of the Diocese of Metuchen to full implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults so that those who seek full reception into the Catholic Church, responding to their baptismal call may be formed into a discipleship of Jesus.
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- Instructions for Catechumens
- Instructions for Candidates
- Instrucciones para Catecúmenos
- Instrucciones para los Candidatos
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Instructions for Catechumens
Rite of Election & Attendance:
- The Rite of Election, for the unbaptized catechumens, will be celebrated on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:30 PM in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, New Jersey.
- The Diocesan Liturgical and Canonical Statues for the OCIA mandate that the unbaptized MUST celebrate the Rite of Election. If extraordinary circumstances prevent a catechumen from celebrating the Diocesan Rite of Election, then a Rite of Election MUST be celebrated in the parish and the pastor should immediately request, by letter, a delegation from the Bishop to preside at the substituted parish Rite of Election.
- The Rite of Election requires that those Catechumens who are participating are unbaptized, have been part of an RCIA process, and are seeking full initiation at this year’s Easter Celebration. Every Catechumen should have their godparent/sponsor accompany them to the Rite of Election.
***Please note: that in accord with Canon Law, parents CANNOT be sponsors or godparents.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me at rcia@diometuchen.org or call at 732-243-4575.
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Instructions for Candidates
The Rite of Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion, for the Candidates who are already baptized, WILL NOT be celebrated at the Cathedral.
- We are asking the parishes to celebrate a Parish Rite of Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion with the candidates of their parish who have been baptized but have NOT received BOTH Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist in the Catholic Church. A suggested text for a Combined Parish Rite of Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion and a Rite of Sending is attached.
- If your parish does not have any catechumens to send to the election this year, then just eliminate that part of the text and only use the portion referring to the candidates.
- This year, there will be no requirement to register your Candidates with the Diocesan Office of OCIA.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email rcia@diometuchen.org or call at 732-243-4575.
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Instrucciones para Catecumenos
Rito de Elección y Asistencia:
- El Rito de Elección, para los catecúmenos no bautizados, se celebrará el domingo 9 de marzo de 2025, a las 2:30 PM en la Catedral St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, New Jersey.
- Los Estatutos Litúrgicos y Canónicos diocesanos para el RICA ordenan que los no bautizados DEBEN celebrar el Rito de Elección. Si circunstancias extraordinarias impiden que un catecúmeno celebre el Rito Diocesano de Elección, entonces un Rito de Elección DEBE celebrarse en la parroquia y el párroco solicitará inmediatamente, por carta, una delegación del Obispo para presidir el Rito de Elección parroquial sustituido.
- El Rito de Elección requiere que los Catecúmenos que participen no estén bautizados, hayan sido parte de un proceso de RICA y estén buscando la iniciación completa en la Celebración de Pascua de este año. Cada Catecúmeno debe estar acompañado de su padrino en el Rito de Elección.
***Tenga en cuenta: que de acuerdo con el Derecho Canónico, los padres NO PUEDEN SER los padrinos.
Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, no dude en llamarme al (732) 243-4573, rcia@diometuchen.org.
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Instrucciones para los Candidatos
El Rito de Llamado a los Candidatos a la Conversión Continua, para los Candidatos que ya están bautizados, NO se celebrará en la Catedral.
- Estamos pidiendo a las parroquias que celebren el Rito Parroquial de Llamado a los Candidatos a la Conversión Continua con los candidatos de su parroquia que han sido bautizados pero NO han recibido LOS DOS Sacramentos, Confirmación y Eucaristía en la Iglesia Católica. Se adjunta un texto sugerido que combina el Rito Parroquial de Llamado a los Candidatos a la Conversión Continua y el Rito de Envío.
- Si su parroquia no tiene ningún catecúmeno para enviar a la elección de este año, simplemente elimine esa parte del texto y solo use la parte que se refiere a los candidatos.
- Este año, no habrá ningún requisito para registrar a sus candidatos en la Oficina Diocesana de RICA.
Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, no dude en llamarme al (732) 243-4573, rcia@diometuchen.org.
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Contact the Office of OCIA
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Adam Carlisleacarlislediometuchen.orgSecretary for Evangelization and Communication -
Rev. Timothy M. Eck, IIteckdiometuchen.orgDirector, Office of Divine Worship -
Jason Cordovajcordovadiometuchen.orgAdministrative Assistant, Office of OCIA
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