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What is OCIA (formerly RCIA)

Becoming Catholic involves entering into relationship with a community of God’s people. Our hope is that you will enjoy a deeper relationship with God as you also become acquainted with Divine Grace parishioners and the Church throughout the world. Your OCIA journey will be a unique time for you. You will no doubt notice how your own life experiences and beliefs have brought you to this point as you listen to God’s invitation to explore the Catholic faith. At the same time, members of the parish are praying for you, attending sessions with you, and sharing their own life stories as Catholics.

WHO IS OCIA FOR?
  • Adults never baptized who might desire to become a Catholic.
  • Children 7 years of age and older, never baptized, who are looking to become Catholic. 
  • Adults baptized Catholic who have not received full initiation through the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation.​
  • Adults baptized in another Christian tradition (i.e. Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc.),
If you are ready to become Catholic, you can start your journey any time! 
Our OCIA team is with you every step of the way!

    Thinking about becoming Catholic?
    Please submit this form and we will be in touch. God bless you!
    If you would like to learn more about the RCIA process  at Divine Grace, whether for yourself or for someone you know, please fill out the form or contact Crysti Esper, OCIA Director at 734-770-4327 or [email protected].​

Sacraments of Initiation 2022 - Easter Vigil

On April 16 at the Easter Vigil, Matt Monroe (center) was fully initiated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. After attending Mass with his wife, Jeanette, for 13 years, and raising his children in the Catholic faith, Matt felt called to be baptized and become Catholic. What a wonderful story!

​Received into Full Communion in the Catholic Church 2021

Both men received the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
In April 2021, we celebrated with Deven West who was baptized at a young age in another Christian faith tradition. At the time, Deven was an 8th grader at St. Patrick School. 
In October 2021, Dawson Vore, who was baptized Lutheran as an infant, became interested in the Catholic Church while in college. Throughout his time at Michigan Tech, he attended RCIA. Once home, it wasn't long before Dawson was ready to be Catholic.

Sacraments of Initiation 2020 - Eastertime

We celebrated with three women:  Linda Wickenheiser,  Rebbeca McGlynn, and Tammy Brewer, on June  7, 2020. Due to the Coronavirus, Easter Vigil, when we bring unbaptized adults into the Church, was not possible. It was a great joy when we were able to celebrate. Each of these ladies received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Received into Full Communion in the Catholic Church 2019

We celebrated with Steven Daniels in November 2019. Steven (second adult from the left) was received into full communion in the Catholic Church. Already a member of the Body of Christ through his baptism in the Methodist church, Steven became Catholic through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Sacraments of Initiation - Easter Vigil 2024

At Easter Vigil, we welcomed 4 young women into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. Brittany Markgraff and her daughters, Makayla and Madalyn, and St. Patrick School student, Kaycee Vey. Often, we hear stories about how Jesus works through people, and especially children. In these cases, the children heard the calling to become baptized which inspired their families. Congrats to all and our prayers continue for you.

Full Communion and Profession of Faith - 2023

On November 12, 2023, we welcomed into Full Communion Nikita and Philip (PJ) Newkirk. Full Communion reception occurs when a person is baptized in another Christian tradition, in this case, the ELCA Lutheran Church. Nikita and PJ's daughter, Olivia, was also baptized Lutheran and made her profession of faith on the same day. Olivia is 7 years old and attends St. Patrick School. She will continue her faith journey with her peers. This was also an opportunity to have a parish family sponsor another family. Jessica and Ryan Teets and their family (on the left) served the Newkirks and our parish by sponsoring. Welcome Newkirk family and thank you to the Teets family!

Sacraments of Initiation - Easter Vigil 2023

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Pictured with Fr. Mike and Deacon Tracy are the Church's Neophytes (newly baptized and fully initiated at the Easter Vigil): Alex Sieler, Jordyn Gabriel, and Brandon Cummings. On the far right is Jessica Workman who completed the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. May they walk close with Christ through the rest of their lives. Congratulations to all!

​​Received into Full Communion in the Catholic Church 2022

Sarah Miller is a wonderful mother of two children who are baptized Catholic. Standing next to her is her Catholic husband, Andrew. Sarah felt the desire to share the same faith and practices of her husband as well as while raising her children. Sarah also was seeking a closer relationship with Christ. After a journey in the RCIA Sarah became Catholic through the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.

Completion of the Sacraments 2022

Jackie Tomaszewski (in pink dress), was baptized Catholic and received her first communion as a child. Life happens and Jackie had never received the Sacrament of Confirmation with her peers. As her daughter, Teresa (at left), was confirmed with Teresa's 8th grade class, Jackie was also confirmed. Once a person receives two of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist), the bishop must confirm them. Pictured here are Deacon Tracy, Bishop Battersby, and Fr. Mike. For those who are in need of confirmation, it is offered at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit by Archbishop Vigneron on Pentecost and Christ the King Sunday, or like Jackie, when the Bishop is confirming the 8th grade.