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Order of Christian Initiation of adults

Becoming Catholic

OCIA

Would you like to learn more about OCIA?

Is GOD calling you…to a deeper faith?

Saint Ambrose Parish invites you to join the OCIA journey. OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is for people interested in learning about our Catholic faith and traditions as a means to discern if God is calling you to become Catholic.

Most Catholics enter the Church through baptism as infants and receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation (First Communion and Confession) and Confirmation when young. However, there are many people who become Catholics, or receive the sacraments they have previously missed, later in life. The OCIA program is the preparation for this.

People thinking about becoming Catholic can feel nervous. This is one of the most important decisions you can make, but you are not alone. Thousands of people across the country are doing the same thing. There will be others at St. Ambrose’s in a similar situation with the same basic questions. The OCIA program is an enjoyable, social occasion and the opportunity to make good friends.

Starting in the early autumn, we offer an opportunity to gather, learn, pray, and reflect each week. Beginning at the 10:30 AM Mass, we meet monthly to learn about different aspects of the Catholic faith, beginning with the existence of God, who Jesus really is, what we do at Mass, and how being Catholic affects our daily life. There is plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. Between those monthly sessions, we offer a weekly time of reflection and learning, focusing on the Bible Readings we heard at Mass that week. You are not rushed into making a decision. You are the person who decides at the time right for you. If you decide to proceed, you will normally be 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 – if it isn’t contrary to our 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.

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.

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:

  • Pray on a regular basis for and with your loved one, leading by example
  • When possible, attend sessions, retreats, and special liturgies with your loved one
  • Give 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
  • Encourage your loved one to participate in the church on a weekly basis and get involved with other ministries
  • Inspire 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
  • Help 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 here 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

"Being involved with Saint Ambrose makes a lot of sense. It's a way to work together and support our community. For me it is the right thing to do and when you do the right thing, the rest follows. Saint Ambrose has been a good partner for my company and is good for our community."

Roger Nair

Roger Nair

Owner-President of NLCI, Owner-President of NEO Group/ Keller-Williams Realty