One of the privileges I give thanks to God for is the chance to journey with so many people in their decision to join the Catholic Church. This is typically done at the Easter Vigil every year and the men and women who become Catholic prepare for months for this one moment. In their preparation, they take smaller steps which serve as important markers in their journey and, for those joining the Church, truly deepens the impact of God's grace flowing in and through their lives. 

Many parishioners will know of this process as the "RCIA." A small fun fact is that last year, the process changed names to the "OCIA." The name change reflects a change in emphasis. RCIA stood for the "Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults" and OCIA stands for the "Order of Christian Initiation for Adults." In the Church, people are always assigned to an "Order." There is the Order of the Faithful (most of us), the Order of Priests, the Order of Catechumens, etc. The name change to "Order" may seem odd, but it is rather significant. We still do the rituals, but we have moved away from emphasizing the things so that we can emphasize the people. Rituals are things we do, but the people are the ones who do the rituals and make the journey. 

Two of those rituals take place this weekend. At the 5:00pm Mass on Sunday, we will have the Rite of Sending in which we will as the parish of Saint Andrew will acknowledge the readiness of our catechumens and candidates to receive the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil and commission them to the bishop who will meet them at the cathedral. They will journey almost immediately down to Holy Name Cathedral where they will gather with hundreds of other catechumens and candidates for the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion.

The Rite of Election is when a catechumen moves from being a pursuer of the Church to being elected, chosen to receive the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. It is confirmation fo the work that has been done by God in them and strengthened through their participation and preparation these last few months. 

Being a witness to these rituals is truly a highlight of my year. For many parishioners in the pew, it can sometimes seem odd. "Why are we doing things differently this Sunday at Mass?" I sympathizes that for some it may seem a disruption out of our routine. I pray that everyone would have a bit of the experience and a glimpse into the view that I am able to frequent. By witnessing the journey of those joining the Church, it is a reaffirmation for all of us in the sacraments that join us to the family of God. 

Please take time to pray for those who are part of the OCIA this year and may your prayer for them also bless you with a sense of renewal and revival in your faith. 

This year's catechumens are Janna Conant, Cecilia Conant, Wyatt Dreher, and Matt Maldanado.

This year's candidates are Brandon Dubpre, Kevin Sciackitano, Matthew Gish, Maria Gomez, Teddy Wilson and Christia Roberts.

Baby Bulldogs 

Our Baby Bulldogs program is gearing up for a fun and energetic spring session! Beginning January 22 through April 30, families with infants and toddlers are invited to join us every Thursday from 9:00–9:45am for a morning of connection and play. Each class includes free play followed by joyful music and movement that little ones love. (Please note: no class on March 19.) We meet in the Saint Andrew School Gymnasium, located at the northeast corner of Addison and Paulina. Registration is ongoing.  Come be part of the fun with our littlest Bulldogs!

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow. Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! We have an upcoming tour on October 14th at 9am. Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application