Parishes across the Diocese of St. Augustine are invited to renew and strengthen their ministry of Christian initiation at the upcoming OCIA Conference hosted by Sacred Heart Parish. The conference will be in the parish’s Family Life Center, 5752 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville.
The two-day gathering takes place Friday, Jan. 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rooted in the call of 1 Peter 2:9 to proclaim, “his marvelous light,” the conference is designed to equip pastors, OCIA coordinators, catechists, team members, and anyone accompanying seekers on their journey of faith. Through English and Spanish tracks, participants will explore the vision of a year-round catechumenate, best practices for working with children in OCIA, and the liturgical rites that form the heart of the process.
Presenters include nationally respected leaders from the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Initiation Ministry Partners: Lorraine Miller, MPS, and Darleine Arca Hernandez, Master Catechist. Both will offer workshops in English and Spanish on building a year-round model and serving children and families.
Erin McGeever, M.A., director of Christian Formation, will lead sessions on forming and sustaining parish OCIA teams, essential facilitation skills, and engaging the entire parish community in the work of initiation.
Rounding out the conference is Father Tom Willis, M.A., director of Liturgy, who will guide participants through the liturgical rites central to OCIA and their pastoral implementation in parish life.
Participants may register for individual workshops for $10 each or attend all four for $35, which includes lunch on Saturday. For more information, contact emcgeever@dosafl.com.
Registration is available online through JotForm: https://form.jotform.com/252876625132157.
Funding for this conference is provided by the Catholic Foundation and the Office of Christian Formation.
