Adult Faith Formation

Faith formation is the process of making our faith conscious, living, and active in relationship with God and God's people.  Here at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, both adults and young people of catechetical age (6 years and older), who are seeking that relationship through the Sacraments, are invited to look at our O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) formation program.  We also offer adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation the opportunity to do so through our Adult Confirmation program.

O.C.I.A.

O.C.I.A. is the process of initiating adults into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist (First Holy Communion).  Our Catechumenate for Children and Teens formation program is for young people of catechetical age 6 years and older and is a part of the O.C.I.A. 

The Canon Law of the Church, promulgated at Vatican II, dealing with the restoration of the Catechumenate of the Early Church, came into being in the late 1960’s.  In 1988, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called for this process to be implemented in every parish in the United States as the way of initiation into the Catholic community of faith for all unbaptized people of catechetical age, those baptized into another Christian tradition, and Catholics baptized as infants or toddlers who have had NO religious education nor baptismal catechesis and have not celebrated BOTH Confirmation and First Eucharist (Holy Communion).  O.C.I.A. is a process of seeking, developing, and enriching one’s relationship with God, oneself, and the community of faith.  It is a journey of conversion to God in Christ with a sponsoring companion to support seekers, pray for them and with them, witness to their faith, and guide them along the Way.  O.C.I.A. forms disciples of Jesus Christ through a gradual, complete, and comprehensive mentoring in the Catholic faith.

Those individuals preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist gather together as apprentices in the conversion process in intentional O.C.I.A. communities each week, with sponsors (children gather with parents), O.C.I.A. team members (catechists), and the wider community at Sunday Mass to learn what it means to be and live as Catholic Christians.  Various Rites are celebrated during this journey of faith.  After a long period of prayer, study, and discernment, the initiation sacraments are celebrated - all during the same liturgy in the presence of the Catholic community at the Easter Vigil.  Movement through the process is determined on an individual basis.

For more information, please email John Farrell or call 210-494-1606, ext. 329.

Adult Confirmation

For Catholic adults who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion, we also offer adult Confirmation sessions.  Please email Rita Cabello.