Our OCIA community will soon need a few individuals to serve as godparents and sponsors for those discerning to become Catholic.
This year again, we have been blessed with a wonderful group of inquirers and candidates, some of whom are walking this road alone because they have no Catholic in their network to accompany them. In fact, some will be the only Catholic in their family. What they need is a good Catholic friend to walk this road with them. Sharing this gift of faith with another is also an awesome privilege. Would you consider volunteering to be a sponsor? For more information, contact Tammy Higgins at (863) 514-4366 or thiggins6968@gmail.com.
Without exception, each of our Candidates and Elect has made personal sacrifices to continue their journey to the Easter Vigil. On this night’s Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, there is only one celebration in each church. It is arranged, moreover, in such a way that after the Lucernarium and Easter Proclamation (which constitutes the first part of the Vigil), the Holy Church meditates on the wonders the Lord God has done for his people from the beginning, trusting in his word and promise (the second part, that is, the Liturgy of the Word) until, as the day approaches, with new members reborn in Baptism (the third part), the Church is called to the table the Lord has prepared for his people. The memorial of his Death and Resurrection until he comes again (the fourth part). The sacrifices of these Candidates and Elect to unite them not just with the mystical Body of Christ, but with centuries of new believers who have found themselves finally welcomed at the Table of the Lord as part of the celebration of the Easter Vigil. Marked by true conversion, these new sisters and brothers in Christ eagerly await to add their experiences, talents, and insights to our community. We are truly blessed to have them as part of our family.
Please tell them “Welcome,” and continue to pray for them.
We welcome: Eva Sanchez, Juan Sadat, Jorge Ramirez, William Glass, Guadalupe Gallegos, Fernando Burgos, Jailene Garcia Gaspar, Maria Hernandez Gomez, Aralinda Benitez, Jesus Reyes, Armando Rivas, Xiomarie Rivas, Kiomarie Rivas, Julia de Dios Cruz, Roxana Colonacosta, Bianca Negron, Judith Acosta, Nicole Acosta, Vincent McIntosh, Analy Maya, Yulissa Maya, Alexandra Olivares Romero, Lyanne Morales, & Elizabeth Maya.
Who is entitled to the service of the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)?
1.Those who seek to know what we believe and who are discerning if they want to become Catholic. These we call Inquirers.
2.The unbaptized seven years or older who have decided they wish to participate fully with their Catholic brothers and sisters at the table of the Lord. These we call Catechumen.
3.Those who have been baptized in another Christian faith and in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and who are now deciding to live their baptism fully through life in the Catholic way. These we call Candidates.
All candidates, however, are not the same. Some candidates were baptized as small children and had no formal understanding of God, his Church, or its teachings. These individuals the OCIA regards as similar to the Catechumen and recommends a full period of instruction. On the other hand, some candidates were full and active members in their faith with another Christian denomination and now realize that the Catholic Church offers the fullest and richest way to live their faith. These simply need light instruction to be ready to join us at the Eucharistic feast. For these, there is the Order of Reception into Full Communion.
Each candidate's path to becoming fully Catholic is unique. For some, the path may take several weeks, and for others, a couple of years (Catechumen). OCIA is with each of them every step of the way until they join us at the Table of the Lord.
So, if you or someone you know has questions about the Catholic Church or may be considering completing their sacraments, please come to our open Inquiry Session.
If you’ve been coming to Mass for a while, but are not Catholic, we invite you to look deeper into the Catholic faith. Our parish will soon begin a set of sessions to share the truths of the Catholic faith and the fellowship of our church family with others. We invite you to learn what Catholics believe in an open and welcoming environment, and for you to ask those perplexing and difficult questions you may have about the Church.
If you are interested, click here, and we will contact you as soon as our next session begins:
All adults/children with no religious backgrounds or other faiths are welcome!
Age Requirements for OCIA/OCIC:
For more information, please contact:
OCIA/OCIC Coordinator
Tammy Higgins
Phone: (863) 438-2700
Website: https://stannhc.com
Adults 18 years of age and over who need sacramental preparation can attend classes on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Children who are seven (7) years of age and older can attend classes on Order of Christian Initiation of Children of the parish.
St. Ann Catholic Church
1311 Robinson Drive, Haines City, FL 33844, United States
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