Religious Education

What is the O.C.I.A.?
The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), also called the Catechumenate, is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation.

It is a process that enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, and the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The OCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a conversion process, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants.

Who is OCIA for?
Non-Catholics who want to find out more about the Catholic Faith
Those who want to join the Catholic Church through Baptism or Profession of Faith
Those who were baptized Catholic as infants but never received religious education, Confirmation, or First Eucharist.

Schedule/Time Commitment: We are excited to offer our 2024-2025 OCIA class. We offer an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of the Church and prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter season. You are welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights, and your faith story in a warm, accepting setting. Classes will begin with the Pre-Inquiry in mid-August and are open to anyone, even if you are already Catholic and want to learn more.

O.C.I.C. (Children) ~ This program prepares children (Aged 7+) for initiation into the Catholic Church. The format used depends on the number and ages of children participating.

To register, please complete the following form: https://archseattle.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/5174/responses/new

 For information, please contact Alex Chopyak ([email protected]) 

Who: Children up to 5th Grade

When: During 9:00 am Mass

Where: The Pastor will call the children forward at the beginning of mass and they will process together to the Fellowship Hall and return to mass before communion. 

No sign-up is required. Participate weekly at 9:00 am mass. Parents and caregivers are welcome to assist with safe environment training. Sign up here to volunteer.

This Sunday program is a unique approach to the religious education of children. The main purpose of the program is to provide an environment where the child may fall in love with The Good Shepherd and where the relationship between the child and Christ may be nurtured.

The atrium is a sacred space, more like a chapel than a classroom. It is a quiet, focused place where children are drawn into worship, prayer and meditation through word and action.

Who: Pre-school children ages 3-4

When: Sunday morning during 9:00 am Mass

Where: Basement of the church in the Atrium

Sign-up is required and space is limited. $50 donation requested.

Who: School age children who do not attend a Catholic School grades K-5

When: Sunday morning 10:15a-Noon

Where: Basement of the church in the atrium

Sign up and a $50 donation is requested

Catholic parents are considered the first educators of our children. Many of our parishioners have decided to educate their children in the Catholic faith at home. We offer home schooling materials for the education of children at home grades K-12.

All children who do not attend a Catholic School and are interested in First Communion in the second grade should recieve religious education during both first and second grade. Additionally, they will prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion.