OCIA (RCIA)

What is OCIA (RCIA)?

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

To find out more about the Church of the Nativity OCIA (RCIA) program,

2023-2024 brochure 


Adults interested in Catholicism are invited to attend the 2023-2024 Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 


OCIA is a faith formation series for adults who have never been baptized or were baptized in another faith and are now considering becoming Catholic. It is also for Catholic adults who never received First Communion and Confirmation. We also welcome those who have been away from the faith and who wish to return.


We will meet weekly for study, prayer and discussion in preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 30, 2024.


We will accept new participants throughout September and October. 

  • Class begins September 10th
  • Sunday classes at 12:30 p.m. (right after the 11:30 a.m. Mass)
  • Classes will be held in the O'Hare Center (building at the back of the church)


Please contact Charlotte Pace at 650-799-9164, charmenlo@outlook.com or the rectory office at 650-323-7914. We will need your email address to keep you informed of any changes. We look forward to welcoming you.


(Catholic adults who need Confirmation only are prepared by the archdiocese in a separate program. Please contact Charlotte for more info.)


CURRENT 2023-2024


OCIA Class Materials 2023-2024     Updated: Jan. 17, 2024


Class audios

January 7 Eucharist - Part 1

January 7 Eucharist - Part 2

January 14 - Baptism

January 14 - Confirmation

Jan. 29, Ch. 18-19: Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, by Msgr. Otellini  (MP3 audio file)

*Recorded on February 2017*

Click to add Audio

ARCHIVED MATERIALS - RCIA/OCIA Class Materials 2022-2023

(At this time, upon request, please call the office)

Updated: Mar. 23, 2023

Oct. 9: The Mass Introduction ~ The Source and Summit of our Faith by Cameron Song Sellers (PDF 1.62MB)

Oct. 30, Homily: Reaching the Turning Point in Our Lives, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 206kb) 

Oct. 30, Ch. 3-4: On the Obedience of Faith, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 513kb)

Nov. 13, Ch. 6: Man and Woman Before the Fall and After, by Aidan Cameron-Smith (PDF 1.72mb)

​Nov. 13, Ch. 7: The Good News God Has Sent His Son, by Aidan Cameron-Smith (PDF 414kb)

Nov. 20, Ch. 8: Understanding the Paschal Mystery, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 6mb)

Dec. 4, Ch. 9: Understanding the Power of the Holy Spirit, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 371kb)

Dec. 11, Ch. 10-11: Reflecting the Light of Christ and the 4 Marks of the Church, by Lyra Rufino-Maceda (PDF 2.65mb)

Jan. 8, Ch. 12: Why we honor Mary, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 400kb)

Jan. 15, Ch. 14: Paschal Mystery, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 532kb)

Jan. 15, Ch. 17: On the Holy Eucharist, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 536kb)

Additional screening on the Eucharist: Bishop Barron's Catholicism Series, Episode 7, Word Made Flesh, True Bread from Heaven 

​Jan. 22, Ch. 15-16: Baptism and Confirmation, by Lyra Ruffino-Maceda (PDF 3.6mb)

​Feb. 5, Ch.: Understanding the Sacrament of Holy Orders, by Fr. Chris Anyanwu (PDF 419kb)

RCIA Period of Prayer Fifth Sunday of Lent (PDF 366kb)

March 3, Lenten Reminders and Resources from Charlotte

April 9: Talk on Prayer, by Scott Whittaker (PDF 77kb)

​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Year's Journey (PDF 163kb)

Registration Form 2022-2023 (PDF 270kb)

Role of Sponsors 2022-2023 (PDF 282kb)

OCIA Detailed Schedule - Update (PDF 73kb) Updated 03/12/2023

Scripture Recommendations (PDF 339kb)

Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming (PDF 615kb)​​

Links to Resources for RCIA Participants (PDF 53kb)​​ 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."

Likewise, the language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.

All are Welcome!

OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.


Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.


Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

OCIA is a Journey

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

List of Services

OCIA Team

People journeying through the RCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The ORCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

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