the catholic community of st. francis of assisi
2026 Bishop’s Annual Appeal
As a diocesan family, we are invited to join together in supporting the ministries, programs, and outreach efforts that bring Christ’s love into our parishes and communities. Your prayers and participation help strengthen Catholic education, support parish vitality, and extend care to those in need.
Please take time to reflect on how you can contribute to this mission of faith and service.
Welcome to the Catholic Church
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, is a welcoming program that fosters community and faith growth, inviting adults interested in joining the Catholic faith to learn more. Initially, this was called in English by the acronym RCIA, standing for the ‘Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,’ a name which many were familiar with. However, in November 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a new translation of the name of this process, now calling it the “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.” While it may seem like a small change, many see this as a new turning point, with a focus on the ongoing, lifelong process of discipleship.
Matt Mirabile, a parishioner who just completed OCIA in the past few years and who is now a team lead for OCIA, explains how he felt after going through, ”When I went through the program and eventually got confirmed, I was excited and decided I wanted to join the team just as a way to try to give back a little bit. I’ve never been someone who did a lot of volunteer work; it had never really been a part of my life.” That changed with his OCIA experience: ”I wanted to hit the ground running as a new Catholic.”
Ministry Spotlight: Spiritual Direction
Experiencing the restlessness of life, searching down paths that differ from the one God wants for your salvation and his greater glory, needn’t be undergone alone. A spiritual director will gently walk with you for a period of time, a season in your life. Spiritual direction is intentionally not a ‘one-and-done,’ a one-hour ‘spiritual oil change,’ or a quick pit stop before getting back onto the racetrack. We are here for the journey, trained to listen.
To listen, yes, to you, but more importantly, to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit while we are with you. By doing so, we hope you will become better at discerning His voice for yourself. When it seems God is far away, talking with your spiritual director can help you become more deeply in touch with the presence of God in you. Sometimes we give in to the temptation of lukewarmness, or our prayer time feels dry or empty. Meeting with your spiritual director offers an opportunity to talk over what’s no longer working for you and discover ways to refresh your relationship with God.
