Are you interested in learning more about the catholic church?
We welcome you and your questions! There is so much to learn about the Catholic Church. We are here to walk with you on your faith journey. We welcome your inquiries and invite you to contact Stephanie Conrad at 717-243-4411, ext. 300 sconrad@saintpatrickchurch.org. Read below for opportunities at Saint Patrick Church!
OCIA Preparation Classes: Faith Formation for non-catholics at Saint Patrick Church
Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? Perhaps you’ve been thinking of becoming a member of Saint Patrick Parish, or perhaps you are just curious about what Catholics believe.
If you have ever reflected on any of the above, be at peace! God is calling you and He will lead you. We are here to help you to grow in faith and understanding of the teachings of Jesus and His Church.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or OCIA, is a process of conversion leading to reception into full communion with the Catholic Church for those who have not been baptized. The OCIA is marked with Liturgical Rites throughout the year that bring inquirers into deeper relationship with God and his Church.
Weekly OCIA Preparation Classes are open to individuals who are unbaptized as well as those who have been baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to become members of the Catholic Church. Classes begin in the Fall and continue until shortly after Easter the following year. The Tuesday evening classes are held in the Parish Activity Center at Saint Patrick Church on Marsh Drive in Carlisle from 7:00-8:45. Individual meetings are possible when necessary.
For more information about OCIA, fill out the form below and someone will contact you.
CLASSES FOR INQUIRERS
Saint Patrick Church holds drop-in classes for those inquiring about the Catholic faith. These classes are intended for non-Catholics who are interested in what the Catholic church believes and teaches. During the meeting, there will be a brief teaching as well as ample time for questions and discussion. Classes are typically held on Tuesday evenings, but dates are scheduled upon request. For more information about attending an Inquirer’s Class, please contact Stephanie Conrad at 717-243-4411, ext. 300 or sconrad@saintpatrickchurch.org.
Annulment Information
What is an annulment? Is it different than a divorce? Do I need annulment? Why should I get in an annulment? What does an annulment mean for my children or my current marriage?
Many people have questions about annulments in the Catholic Church. If you are someone planning to become a member of the Catholic Church and were previously married, you may need to have your marriage annulled, or pronounced sacramentally invalid. The Catholic Church believes in the permanent nature of sacramentally valid marriages, but marriages are sometimes entered into without the full knowledge of what that means.
While recognizing that with the exchange of marital vows God takes two persons and makes them one flesh, the Church knows that there are times when an element necessary for a valid marriage is missing. If a person claims that something was missing from a marriage to make it invalid, that person has the right to seek the assistance of a tribunal. Most often the person asking for a declaration of nullity will be a Catholic, someone planning to join the Catholic Church, or a person who is now seeking to marry a Catholic. Whether Catholic or not, questions and answers concerning “annulments” are the same; however, because of different needs and understandings, the answers may be slightly nuanced. For more information, please contact the Diocese of Harrisburg Tribunal at 717-657-4804, ext 304 or Tribunal Webpage.