St. John XXIII - OCIC FAQ

Religious_Education>> About OCIC> FAQ

OCIC: Order of Christian Inistiation for Children

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years is the OCIC program? 2 years

What are the days and times of the sessions for the children? (First Year and Second Year)

The first year OCIC group and those in First Holy Communion meet on Tuesday evening from 6:30pm - 7:45pm

First (1st) year OCIC Candidates and those in First Holy Communion are required to attend sunday mass.
Only First (1st) year OCIC Candidates are required to attend sunday dismissal sessions.

The second year OCIC group and those in First Holy Communion meet on Thursday evening from 6:30pm - 7:45pm

Second (2nd) year OCIC Candidates and those in First Holy Communion are required to attend sunday mass.
Only Second (2nd) year OCIC Candidates are required to attend sunday dismissal sessions.
Only Second (2nd) year OCIC Candidates are required to be present at all of the Rites.
Second (2nd) year OCIC Confirmation Candidates are required to attend extended sessions on Sunday during the prescribed times which follow imediately after the 9am mass. They must also be present at all of the Rites.

What age does my child have to be to be enrolled in OCIC?

For OCIC the child must be between 7 - 17 years of age. Those younger than 7 needing Baptism must make an appointment with the Priest to have their child baptized. Then when the child turns 7 they may be enrolled for first Holy Communion.
Those who are 18 or soon to be 18years of age in a given catechetical year will be enrolled in Adult OCIA.

What age does my child need to be in order to make their confirmation in the OCIC process?

Generally the child will need at least 12 years of age by January of their second year in OCIA. However, the sacrament is not given automatically based on age. The child is subject to scrutiny by the ministry for their readiness and their parents must also agree.

Each Candidate must demonstrate a muture attitude towards continuing to follow the faith, service, acceptance of moral teachings and a continued growth in the faith.
Each Candidate must have demonstrated their comitment inpart through, their class attendance, attendance at mass and deiligence in their study.
Each Candidate must pass the evaluation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and have completed the requisit according to the signed aggreements during registration.
Each Candidate must have demonstrated an exceptional knowledge of the sacraments, the particular aspects of the sacraments, God's salvation and tenents of the faith.

Do the parents/guardians need to attend the parent sessions?

YES!

At least one parent/guardian will need to attend the parent sessions. In the event neither parent can attend then a godparent for the student may attend. But the attendance must show a parent attending at least 75% of the sessions.

In the event nether parents nor godparents can attend then a proxy may attend. (BUT!!!!!) this is the exception and not the rule. A proxy can attend no more than 10% of the parent sessions. If we find the proxy is attending the majority of sessions instead of the parents or godparents then the "Parent Attendance " will not be counted.

Parent attendance is important as a way to assist the parents with their faith development to assist their child with thefaith development and to catechize them. Remember the Catechetical program is a resource which assists parents with their promised duty to raise their children in the faith. According to Scripture and God's Church the parents are the primary educators of their children and not the catechists!

What does it mean for those of us who have decided to be Godparents?

How many godparents does a candidate need?

During the OCIC process when full inition will occur, that is the candidate will receive Baptism, Confirmation* and Holy Communion all at once; the candidate my have as many as three godparents:

2 for Baptism (One male and one female) &
1 for Confirmation.

In the event that only two (2) godparents can be obtained; then the two (2) godparents may be present for the Baptism but only one (1)of the godparents may return for the Sacrament of Confirmation*.

In the event that only one (1) godparent can be obtained; then this godparent may be present at both the baptism and the Confirmation*.

The Church requests godparents for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation only! Godparents are not utilized or required for sacrament of Holy Communion.

___________________

(*) Confirmation is given to those twelve (12) years of age or older, who have completed the confirmation course and have passed their confirmation evaluation. The sacrament of Confirmation is not automatically given at the completion of two years of OCIC.

What is the attendance policy for OCIC?

Attendance is prescribed in the parent handbook. Any unexcused unexcused absences beyond the prescribed amount in the parent handbook will result in the student either being dropped or getting an incomplete at the end of the year. Any excessive amounts of absences can result in an incomplete at the end of the year. Any incomplete at the end of the year will result in the student having to repeat the year.