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Order of Christian Initiation of adults

Becoming Catholic

OCIA

Would you like to learn more about becoming catholic?

Is God calling you… to a deeper faith?

Saint Ambrose Parish invites you to begin your Journey to Emmaus through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Whether you're exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, discerning whether God is calling you to become Catholic, or simply seeking to learn more about the Church's beliefs and traditions, OCIA offers a welcoming place to ask questions, grow in faith, and discover where God is leading you. At Saint Ambrose Parish, you'll never walk this journey alone. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way. There is no pressure to make a decision before you're ready. Through prayer, learning, and discernment, you'll be encouraged to follow God's call at the pace that is right for you. The culmination of the OCIA journey at Saint Ambrose Parish is an incredible moment—not only for you, but for our entire parish community. It is a joyful celebration as you are welcomed into the Catholic Church and become part of our Family of God.

Everyone's journey to the Catholic faith is unique and no two faith journeys are ever alike. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church's process of faith formation and the preparation for receiving the First Reconciliation, First Eucharist/Holy Communion, and/or Confirmation and entering fully into the Catholic Church.

When you answer God's call, you'll join others from all walks of life who are exploring the Catholic faith and discerning where He is leading them. At Saint Ambrose Parish, no one walks this path alone. OCIA is a welcoming community where faith is nurtured, questions are encouraged, and lasting friendships are formed. Together, you'll learn, pray, and grow as our parish family accompanies you every step of the way.

At Saint Ambrose, OCIA begins in early autumn. We gather weekly to learn, pray, reflect, and grow in faith. The journey includes participating in the 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a session exploring key aspects of the Catholic faith. In the weeks between these monthly sessions, participants continue gathering for reflection and faith sharing, focusing on the Sunday Scripture readings and discovering how God's Word speaks to their daily lives. Catechumen are welcomed into the Church at the beautiful Easter Vigil service when we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. At that evening service you will be baptized (if you are not a Christian already) and be confirmed and make your First Holy Communion. In doing so, you become a full member of the Catholic Church and will receive a very warm welcome into the parish of Saint Ambrose.

Yes. All that is required is belief in God and the teachings of the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ. This should be borne out in our daily lives, by prayer, coming to Mass on Sundays, living moral lives of truth and charity. If this isn’t entirely the case currently, then the OCIA program is the opportunity to investigate further. All we ask is a willingness to explore in good faith and openness to the call of Jesus to become more faithfully His disciple. There are lots of misunderstandings about what the Catholic Church actually believes and why. This is your chance to find out for yourself.

No—provided those practices are not contrary to Catholic faith and morals. God has brought you to this point where you are considering becoming a Catholic. We rejoice in the goodness and truth you have experienced elsewhere. We willingly admit that elements of the truth are found among other Christians, but the fullness of truth is found in the Catholic Church. You are simply asked to state your belief in the teaching of Jesus and His Church.

No matter what time of the year it is, we encourage and welcome you to learn more about our OCIA program. Please don't hesitate to contact Kim Nemet at KNemet@StAmbrose.us, Father Bob Stec at FrBob@StAmbrose.us or call the Parish Office at 330-460-7300. You will be sent details of the next OCIA program and made very welcome when the sessions begin.

Interested in learning more about OCIA?

For more information about OCIA, please fill out and submit the following form and someone will reach out to you as soon as possible.

If you prefer to speak with someone directly, please contact Kim Nemet at 330.460.7316. We look forward to walking this journey with you.

OCIA or OCIC Inquiry Form

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*

If you are inquiring about OCIA, please skip the next section inquiring about your child and proceed to the "What Sacraments do you already have?" question.

Child's Name (for OCIC enrollees only)

The following questions are for OCIA and OCIC Inquirers

Please include the name of the church and the city and state it is in.
I am a registered member of Saint Ambrose Parish:*
Are you interested in joining Saint Ambrose?

OCIA/OCIC Registration Forms

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Adult Participants Only!

Please complete the registration form only after you have spoken with a member of the OCIA team and have decided to begin the OCIA process.

OCIA Registration Form

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Full Name*
Please type "N/A" if you do not have a middle name.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Home Address*

Parent's Information

Mother's Name*
Father's Name*

Sacrament Questions

Have you been baptized?*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please upload a copy of your baptism certificate.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Did you receive First Communion?*
Were you Confirmed?*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Is this your first marriage?*
Spouse's Name*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Was the marriage annulled?*
Do you have any children?*
Child's Name
Please type "N/A" if they do not have a middle name.
Sacraments Received
Do you have a second child?*
Child's Name
Please type "N/A" if they do not have a middle name.
Sacraments Received
Do you have a third child?*
Child's Name
Please type "N/A" if they do not have a middle name.
Sacraments Received
Do you have a fourth child?*
Child's Name
Please type "N/A" if they do not have a middle name.
Sacraments Received
Is it okay to share your contact information within the OCIA team?*
Are you a registered member at Saint Ambrose?*
Are you interested in joining Saint Ambrose?

Photo Release and Authorization

Photo Release and Authorization*
I have been, or soon will be, interviewed and / or photographed by a person acting on behalf of Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish (“The Parish”). I understand and agree that, during the interview, I have been or may be video, audio, or otherwise recorded (“Recordings”), and that my image, likeness, words, verbal expressions, and/or other depictions will be captured in such Recordings. I freely give The Parish permission to use my words, photographs taken by The Parish (“Photographs”), and any Recordings for any lawful purpose. I also give The Parish permission to use my name or an assumed name chosen by The Parish in connection with The Parish’s use of my words, Photographs, and/or Recordings. I irrevocably grant to The Parish the irrevocable, worldwide, royalty free and exclusive right to distribute, transmit, publish, copy, assign, or otherwise exploit, either in whole or in part, either digitally or in any other medium now known or later discovered, my interview, Photographs, and Recordings, as well as any accompanying identifying information pertaining to the same, including my name, persona, image and likeness. I waive any claim for any kind of compensation relating to The Parish’s use or publication of the interview, Photographs, and/or Recordings.
I understand the very wide scope of this permission. I am saying that The Parish can use my words or image in its publications, printed materials, advertisements, websites, electronic products, or other products of any kind. I further understand and agree that The Parish, not I, will own the copyright to the interview, Photographs, and Recordings, as well as the copyright to any works derived from the interview or based on the Photographs and/or Recordings. The Parish is not required to ask me for further permission before printing or reprinting the interview, photographs, and recording. I understand and agree to all of this.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, I, on behalf of myself, my spouse, as well as our respective heirs and assigns, executors, and all other legal representatives and any others claiming through us or on behalf of us, hereby forever release and discharge The Parish and its present, past or future officers, partners, agents, consultants, attorneys, employees, insurers, representatives, affiliates, predecessors and successors or assigns from any cause of action or claims of any kind and nature whatsoever, whether in law, equity or otherwise, and whether now known or later discovered, arising out of the use and exploitation of the interview, photographs, and recordings, including without limitation any claims or causes of action based on or relating to invasion of privacy, rights of publicity, and/or defamation. I understand and agree that I will not sue The Parish for how it uses my interview, photographs, and recordings.
By typing your name you are signing the authorization form.

Order of Christian Initiation of Children(OCIC)

Child Participants Only!

Please complete the registration form only after you have spoken with a member of the OCIC team and have decided to begin the OCIC process.

OCIC Registration Form

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Child's Full Name*
Please type "N/A" if they do not have a middle name.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Home Address*

Parent's Information

Mother's Name*
Father's Name*
Who has custody of the child?*
Who does the child live with?*

Sacrament Questions

Have you been baptized?*
Please upload a copy of your baptism certificate.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Did you receive First Communion?*
Were you Confirmed?*
Are you enrolled in PSR?*
Is it okay to share your contact information within the OCIC team?*
Are you a registered member at Saint Ambrose?*
Are you interested in joining Saint Ambrose?*

Photo Release and Authorization

Photo Release and Authorization*
I have been, or soon will be, interviewed and / or photographed by a person acting on behalf of Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish (“The Parish”). I understand and agree that, during the interview, I have been or may be video, audio, or otherwise recorded (“Recordings”), and that my image, likeness, words, verbal expressions, and/or other depictions will be captured in such Recordings. I freely give The Parish permission to use my words, photographs taken by The Parish (“Photographs”), and any Recordings for any lawful purpose. I also give The Parish permission to use my name or an assumed name chosen by The Parish in connection with The Parish’s use of my words, Photographs, and/or Recordings. I irrevocably grant to The Parish the irrevocable, worldwide, royalty free and exclusive right to distribute, transmit, publish, copy, assign, or otherwise exploit, either in whole or in part, either digitally or in any other medium now known or later discovered, my interview, Photographs, and Recordings, as well as any accompanying identifying information pertaining to the same, including my name, persona, image and likeness. I waive any claim for any kind of compensation relating to The Parish’s use or publication of the interview, Photographs, and/or Recordings.
I understand the very wide scope of this permission. I am saying that The Parish can use my words or image in its publications, printed materials, advertisements, websites, electronic products, or other products of any kind. I further understand and agree that The Parish, not I, will own the copyright to the interview, Photographs, and Recordings, as well as the copyright to any works derived from the interview or based on the Photographs and/or Recordings. The Parish is not required to ask me for further permission before printing or reprinting the interview, photographs, and recording. I understand and agree to all of this.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, I, on behalf of myself, my spouse, as well as our respective heirs and assigns, executors, and all other legal representatives and any others claiming through us or on behalf of us, hereby forever release and discharge The Parish and its present, past or future officers, partners, agents, consultants, attorneys, employees, insurers, representatives, affiliates, predecessors and successors or assigns from any cause of action or claims of any kind and nature whatsoever, whether in law, equity or otherwise, and whether now known or later discovered, arising out of the use and exploitation of the interview, photographs, and recordings, including without limitation any claims or causes of action based on or relating to invasion of privacy, rights of publicity, and/or defamation. I understand and agree that I will not sue The Parish for how it uses my interview, photographs, and recordings.
By typing your name you are signing the authorization form.

OCIA Confirmation Forms

Confirmation Registration

Adult Participants Only!

Confirmation Registration

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Full Name*
Please type "N/A" if you do not have a middle name.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Home Address*

Parent's Information

Mother's Name*
Father's Name*

Sacrament Questions

Spouse's Name*
Is this your first marriage?*
Are you a registered member at Saint Ambrose?*
Are you interested in joining Saint Ambrose?*

Photo Release and Authorization

Photo Release and Authorization*
I have been, or soon will be, interviewed and / or photographed by a person acting on behalf of Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish (“The Parish”). I understand and agree that, during the interview, I have been or may be video, audio, or otherwise recorded (“Recordings”), and that my image, likeness, words, verbal expressions, and/or other depictions will be captured in such Recordings. I freely give The Parish permission to use my words, photographs taken by The Parish (“Photographs”), and any Recordings for any lawful purpose. I also give The Parish permission to use my name or an assumed name chosen by The Parish in connection with The Parish’s use of my words, Photographs, and/or Recordings. I irrevocably grant to The Parish the irrevocable, worldwide, royalty free and exclusive right to distribute, transmit, publish, copy, assign, or otherwise exploit, either in whole or in part, either digitally or in any other medium now known or later discovered, my interview, Photographs, and Recordings, as well as any accompanying identifying information pertaining to the same, including my name, persona, image and likeness. I waive any claim for any kind of compensation relating to The Parish’s use or publication of the interview, Photographs, and/or Recordings.
I understand the very wide scope of this permission. I am saying that The Parish can use my words or image in its publications, printed materials, advertisements, websites, electronic products, or other products of any kind. I further understand and agree that The Parish, not I, will own the copyright to the interview, Photographs, and Recordings, as well as the copyright to any works derived from the interview or based on the Photographs and/or Recordings. The Parish is not required to ask me for further permission before printing or reprinting the interview, photographs, and recording. I understand and agree to all of this.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, I, on behalf of myself, my spouse, as well as our respective heirs and assigns, executors, and all other legal representatives and any others claiming through us or on behalf of us, hereby forever release and discharge The Parish and its present, past or future officers, partners, agents, consultants, attorneys, employees, insurers, representatives, affiliates, predecessors and successors or assigns from any cause of action or claims of any kind and nature whatsoever, whether in law, equity or otherwise, and whether now known or later discovered, arising out of the use and exploitation of the interview, photographs, and recordings, including without limitation any claims or causes of action based on or relating to invasion of privacy, rights of publicity, and/or defamation. I understand and agree that I will not sue The Parish for how it uses my interview, photographs, and recordings.
By typing your name you are signing the authorization form.

Confirmation Name Submission

Adult Participants Only!

Adult Confirmation Name Submission

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Candidate Name*
Confirmation Name Chosen*
Confirmation Sponsor Name*

Becoming a Sponsor

What an honor to be asked to serve as a Sponsor!

Congratulations on this most important role in your loved one's journey to the altar. You have been asked to be someone your loved one can look up to as a Brother or Sister in Christ that lives a Catholic life and is committed to being a sponsor. In this duty, we ask that you commit to:

  • Praying on a regular basis for and with your loved one, leading by example
  • When possible, attending sessions, retreats, and special liturgies with your loved one
  • Giving a meaningful and intentional relationship with your loved one as their relationship with God grows
  • Being involved in the life of your loved one in our Church on a regular basis
  • Encouraging your loved one to participate in the church on a weekly basis and get involved with other ministries
  • Inspiring your loved one to continue their catechesis through sharing books and articles about the Catholic faith, as well as encouraging them to ask questions to deepen their understanding of the faith
  • Helping them to give witness to the Lord in the world, fulfilling the Baptism promises they have made or will make by using their gifts from the Holy Spirit
Click the form below to register

OCIA/OCIC Sponsor Registration Form

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Candidate/Catechumen Name*

Sponsor Information

Sponsor's Name*
Please check all that apply:*
Are you 16 years of age or older?*
Are you a registered member at Saint Ambrose?*
Are you interested in joining Saint Ambrose?
*Sponsor needs to obtain sponsor certificate from parish currently registered at no sooner than January of the year the person you are sponsoring is receiving sacraments*
Send sponsor certificate to
St. Ambrose
ATTN: Kim Nemet (OCIA)
929 Pearl Rd
Brunswick, OH 44212

If you are a Saint Ambrose member, click below for the sponsor certificate.

Sponsor Certificate Request

Sponsor's Name(Required)
Sponsor's Address(Required)
Person's Name You Are Sponsoring(Required)
Reason for Sponsorship(Required)

Sponsorship Questions

I am a Catholic in good standing and I am a registered and participating member of St. Ambrose.(Required)
I have received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation.(Required)
I regularly participate in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and give witness to my faith in Jesus Christ by receiving him in Holy Communion.(Required)
I am living my Christian vocation as a single person, a validly married person, a religious, or clergymen.(Required)
I actively strive to live out my commitment to Christ and to the community life of the Church by my loving response to those with whom I come in contact daily.(Required)
I will assist the person whom I am sponsoring to live out the Catholic faith by my prayers and by the Christian example of my daily life.(Required)

TESTIMONIES

"I ended up at Saint Ambrose somehow. I don’t know why I chose that church over others, but when I walked in, the only light I saw was shining on the crucifix. At that moment, I knew God was calling me to more and I wanted to learn more about the Catholic faith."

Kevin F.

Kevin F.

Initiated Into the Family of God at Our 2026 Easter Vigil