We take great pride in our adult formation program here at St. Bernard. We provide many opportunities at different times of the year, incorporating the liturgical season and the gift of learning about our faith. Our formation program includes:
Jesus Christ invites us to enter into a life-changing relationship with Him. When we grow in a relationship with someone, we share stories and things about us with the other person. In the very same way, Christ wants so very much to share His love, the gift of the Sacraments and the beauty of His Church with believers. Our commitment to grow in the faith by learning more about the Church and her teachings will help us establish a relationship with Christ that will grow and flourish as we open our hearts to the treasury of faith and knowledge that the Church provides for us.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which those who are baptized but not Catholic (candidates), and those who are non-baptized (catechumens), enter into Full Communion with the Church. We partner with CatechismClass.com to offer a comprehensive online curriculum that can be completed at your leisure. The Sacraments are celebrated at the Easter Vigil in the springtime. Those who are not baptized received the Sacrament of Baptism, and those being welcomed from other faith traditions join the newly baptized to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist for the first time in the presence of the cathedral community.
During the OCIA process, regular meetings are held to connect with those going through the process to answer questions, pray together and to discuss topics that help form those being received into the faith. While Catechumens and Candidates cannot receive the Sacraments, they are encouraged to attend holy Mass.