ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a ministry through which interested adults go through a process of conversion to Jesus Christ and an initiation into the Catholic Church. As a precatechumeate, adults meet informally as a group to learn more about Catholic tradition and beliefs. After the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming, catechumens and candidates for full communion must attend the Sunday Masses for the liturgy and are dismissed to the Ministry Center to continue their reflection on the Gospel as a group. Those who are called to the Easter sacraments celebrate the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent and full initiation at the Easter Vigil.
This year's meetings 2024-2025 will rotate between our three parishes, beginning with St. John's. Classes will always be from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM every Thursday unless indicated on the schedule or extreme weather. We will supply you with the reading materials you need, and we ask that you bring a writing implement, a notebook or journal, and an open heart! If you have your own Bible, we would love for you to bring it, but, as part of the process, we will supply you with one!
We also have a Remind text that you can use to contact us and we may use it if there is bad weather or to share links and websites with you!
If you are interested in joining please fill out this form and hand it into the Ministry Center!
Here are some contacts to help you through the journey:
Fr. Jeff Walker (419) 695-4050 ext. 1111
Fr. Thomas Hunyor (419) 695-4050 ext. 1120
Fr. Tony Vera (419) 695-4050 ext. 1122
Sister Immacolata (419) 692-0636
Kathleen Wreede (419) 692- 5371 ext. 3166
Dcn. John Sheeran (419) 203-4221
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES
Natural family planning (NFP) is fertility awareness, which is simply knowledge of a couple’s fertility. It is a means of reading the body’s signs of fertility and infertility; applying this knowledge is over 99% effective in postponing pregnancy.
The two most common methods in the Toledo diocese are the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) taught by the Couple to Couple League (CCL) and the Creighton Model Fertility Care System.
The CCL method is a simpler and quicker method to learn and is ideal for most couples.
CCL offers online self-passed classes or live in person classes taught regularly at our parish by a local couple.
The Creighton Model can be helpful for women who have cycle issues, including PCOS, Endometriosis, heavy & painful periods, and more.
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INFERTILITY
1 in 6 couples will experience infertility at some point in their marriage.
If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility and are looking for a different approach to medical treatment, we are happy to share with you that there is a highly effective alternative to traditional medical procedures, such as IVF. This alternative is called NaPro Technology. It doesn't violate our Catholic moral principles, and it is 2 -3 times more effective than IVF for treating infertility. We are blessed to have NaPro physicians in our area, including a full NaPro Clinic.