What does the Catholic Church actually believe?
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church?
Is Christ calling you into the Catholic Church?
Curious about the Catholic Church?
Join us on Wednesday evenings for OCIA (previously called RCIA). We begin with dinner and fellowship at 6:30 PM, continued with prayer and info about the Catholic Church from 7:00 to 8:30. All are welcome, and it’s
okay to come visit (no obligation to join the Catholic Church if you attend.)
You are welcome to drop in and join us any time! During January and February we are learning more about the Sacraments of the Catholic Church - Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. (Please see the calendar below for more details.)
PARKING: Free parking is available in front of the church on Adams (where it says reserved for pastor and staff). Parking meters are free after 6 PM. Free parking is also available in the lot across the street. (201 Adams)
ENTRANCE: Enter through the courtyard gates. Continue through the courtyard to the double glass doors. We'll meet in the Parish Hall.
For more information, please contact Christina at [email protected].
What does OCIA stand for? OCIA is the acronym for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, which, in a nutshell, is the way people become Catholic today. The longer and more complete answer is: “The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is an official series of stages and celebration of rites which move adults from first questions about God and the Catholic Church to full communion with the Catholic Church by participation in the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).” Note: OCIA is the new name for RCIA, changed this year in 2025.
I have a friend who is Catholic. I’m curious about what he believes and would like to learn more, but I’m probably not going to join the Catholic Church. Is it okay for me to attend the OCIA sessions? Yes, of course! We welcome those who’d like to learn more, and there is no obligation to join the Catholic Church if you do so!
Do I need a sponsor? The sponsor has a very important role in the OCIA process! The primary job of a sponsor or godparent to be your spiritual friend. A sponsor needs to be able to share his or her own faith and needs to be a person of prayer. Ideally the sponsor accompanies the candidate to Mass every week, and helps her feel more at home with the liturgy. The sponsor participates in the weekly OCIA sessions at least once a month, but as often as possible. In addition, the sponsor meets frequently with the candidate to talk about how God is working in both of their lives. A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years old, and confirmed. A father or mother may not serve as a sponsor to their child. A spouse or fiance may serve as sponsor with the approval of the pastor. It is often a good idea to have someone other than a spouse or close family member serve as sponsor. If you are not sure who you would like to be your sponsor, the OCIA Team is happy to recommend a sponsor for you!
How long does it take to become Catholic? This varies from person to person, and depends on your background and experience with the Christian faith. For example, a person who has been baptized and active in another Christian faith tradition needs less time, while most people who have not yet been baptized need at least a year of preparation.
Is it okay to come to Mass if I’m not Catholic? Yes! You are welcome to join us at Mass. In fact, we encourage you to attend Mass if you are trying to learn more about the Catholic faith. Our weekend Mass schedule is Saturdays 5 p.m., and Sundays 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. If you would like more information about what to do during Mass, please contact Christina at [email protected] or 901-527-8282. She or a member of our OCIA (“Becoming Catholic”) Team will be happy to meet with you before and/or sit with you during Mass.
What should I do at Communion if I’m not Catholic? You are welcome to come forward for a blessing at Communion. Join everyone else in the line to Communion, then indicate that you would like a blessing by crossing your hands over your chest as you approach the minister.
Do I need to be Catholic to get married in the Catholic Church? No. Either the bride or groom needs to be Catholic, but not both. If your fiancé is Catholic, you do not need to become Catholic to marry him. There are many happily married couples that share two different faith traditions! If you’d like to join the Catholic Church, we are happy to help you on this journey. However, please keep in mind that for many couples, the months before a wedding are very busy. This might not be the best time for a person to join the Catholic Church. If you are interested in doing so, you are welcome to wait until after the wedding, or later in your marriage.
What if I’d like to become Catholic but cannot attend regular OCIA sessions because of other obligations? Don’t worry! The best way to get started is to call the church office at (901)527-8282 to make an appointment with Fr. Scott O'Brien OP, our pastor, or Christina Klyce, our OCIA coordinator, so that we can work out a plan to help you in your journey of faith.
I was baptized Catholic and received my First Communion as a child. However, due to family circumstances, I was never confirmed as a teenager. What do I need to do to be confirmed? We are happy to help you prepare for Confirmation! The best way to get started is to call the church office (901)527-8282 to make an appointment with Fr. Scott O'Brien, O.P. He will work out a plan just for you because the process of preparing for Confirmation depends on your background and experience in the Catholic Church. For instance, a person who attended Catholic schools and college and has been participating in Mass all along usually needs less preparation than someone who has never received any formal religious education.
Are you new to the Catholic Church? Trying to find out more about what we believe, and not sure where to start? Below are a few resources recommended by our RCIA Team Members. Please note that this list is not exhaustive—there are lots of great books, websites, and other info out there!
Interested in stories of others who have journeyed to the Catholic Church?
Why I'm Catholic