On February 20, 2025, Bishop McKnight published a letter beginning a period of renewal for Christian initiation ministry in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Click here to read the full letter.

Our OCIA team is working to provide: 

• Evaluations of curriculum resources and supplemental materials for each stage of the process, resulting in a list of approved resources with notes on implementation needs.
• Guidance for parishes on ways to best accommodate the unique needs, rights, and responsibilities of children & adults, baptized and unbaptized, as they approach us on their journey of faith.
• A roadmap for implementing the vision beginning now and reaching completion in Easter of 2027.
• Accompaniment and training opportunities. This will include training at the annual Priests’ Institute in October 2025, followed by lay leadership training in the weeks that follow the institute.

The timeline for implementation is as follows:

• Lent 2025: All parishes must use the texts of the new Order of Christian Initiation of
  Adults for the rites.
• October 2025: Priests’ Institute: Presentations by outside experts will be given on the new translation of the OCIA, its process, and expectations.
• November 2025: The same presentations given at the Priests' Institute will be given for lay leaders.
• Winter - Spring 2026: Deanery feedback sessions will be scheduled to receive feedback from parish leaders on proposed guidelines for Christian Initiation.
• Spring - Fall 2026: Parish and deanery leaders create plans for implementing the new vision collaboratively, with support and resources from the diocese.
  • Parishes must begin planning for a year-round process of invitation, formation, and mystagogy, with the deanery collaboration plans if possible. Sample templates and resources will be provided to assist in this process.
  • Deaneries will create plans for collaboration between parishes to best utilize local resources for the various stages of initiation, particularly the catechumenate. For example, one parish in a deanery coalition could take the initiative (utilizing team members from other parishes in the coalition) in starting a new cohort of catechumens for the coalition, while another parish in the coalition could provide leadership for a year-round inquiry group, and another for mystagogy.
• Lent 2027: Beginning by Lent 2027, a year-round catechumenate model must be implemented in all parishes. Unbaptized individuals hoping to receive sacraments at the Easter Vigil in 2028 must have celebrated the Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate by 10 February 2027 (Ash Wednesday).
• Easter 2027: Parishes and/or deaneries must provide neophytes opportunities for mystagogy throughout the neophyte year. Templates and suggestions will be provided for parishes to explore what best fits their community.