OCIA Volunteers
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at Holy Trinity Catholic Church is more than a class, it is a journey of conversion, discipleship, and lifelong formation in the Catholic faith. Our volunteers are at the heart of that journey. Through teaching, mentorship, hospitality, prayer, administration, retreats, and accompaniment, volunteers help create a welcoming and spiritually transformative experience for every person entering the Church.
As our parish moves into a new year-round, 18-month OCIA model with new Inquiry groups beginning every four months, we are building a larger and more sustainable volunteer structure capable of walking with participants at every stage of formation. This model allows participants more time to ask questions, grow spiritually, build relationships, and develop a deeper understanding of Catholic life before receiving the Sacraments.
Because of this expanded structure, we are seeking a team of dedicated volunteers willing to accompany participants throughout the process. Some volunteers are called to teach directly, while others serve through prayer, hospitality, retreats, administration, or community support. Every role is essential to creating a strong and welcoming OCIA community.
We are seeking at least 26 Catechists to serve across the different phases of the OCIA process.
Catechists in the OCIA program are not simply teachers, they are companions in faith who walk alongside participants during some of the most meaningful and transformative moments of their spiritual lives. Volunteers help facilitate discussion, answer questions, foster community, and create an environment where participants feel supported and encouraged as they grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Inquiry Teams
The Inquiry phase is the beginning of the OCIA journey. During this time, participants explore the foundations of Christianity and Catholicism while discerning whether they would like to continue the process toward becoming Catholic.
We are seeking:
2 Inquiry Teams
3 Catechists per Team
6 total Inquiry Catechists
These teams will rotate throughout the year, allowing volunteers to serve deeply while also receiving regular breaks between cycles.
Rotation Structure
- Team 1 leads a 12-week Inquiry cycle
- Team 2 then leads the next 12-week cycle while Team 1 rests
- Team 1 returns for the following cycle while Team 2 rests
Regular holiday breaks are built into the program calendar.
Upcoming Inquiry Cycle Start Dates
- September 13th
- January 3rd
- May 16th
- September 12th
Inquiry Catechists are responsible for:
- Creating a welcoming and approachable environment for newcomers to the faith
- Helping introduce guest speakers as needed
- Teaching prepared lessons
- Facilitating discussion and questions
Catechumenate Teams
After completing the Inquiry phase, participants celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and move into the Catechumenate phase, which becomes the core of their formation journey.
This is the longest and most relational stage of the process, where participants spend approximately one year preparing spiritually, intellectually, and sacramentally for reception into the Church.
We are seeking:
4 Catechumenate Teams
3 Catechists per Team
12 total Catechumenate Catechists
Each team will operate alongside the others in separate classrooms as multiple groups progress through the program simultaneously.
Team Timeline
- Team Matthew
- January 3rd, 2027 – December 12th, 2027
- Team Mark
- Begins May 16th, 2027
- Team Luke
- Begins September 12th, 2027
- Team John
- Begins January 9th, 2028
Regular holiday breaks, Spring Break, Summer break and a 5 month rest period after a class’s Sacramental Mass is built into the schedule.
Catechumenate Catechists have the most hands-on role within the OCIA process. These volunteers accompany participants for a full year as they:
- Study Scripture and Church teaching
- Grow in prayer and discipleship
- Prepare for the Sacraments
- Navigate questions, struggles, and spiritual growth
- Build relationships within the Church community
Mystagogy Team
The Mystagogy phase focuses on life after receiving the Sacraments and helps newly initiated Catholics continue growing within the life of the Church.
We are seeking:
1 Mystagogy Team
3 Volunteers Total
Once the full OCIA cycle is underway, the Mystagogy Team will operate on:
8 weeks on
8 weeks off
The first Mystagogy cycle will begin:
December 19th, 2027
Unlike the other Catechist teams, Mystagogy volunteers are not primarily teachers. Instead, they serve as facilitators and hosts for the program.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading prayer
- Introducing guest speakers
- Facilitating transitions and discussion
- Ensuring speakers remain within their allotted times
- Helping participants connect with parish ministries and post-Confirmation opportunities
Not every volunteer role requires direct catechesis, but each position is vital to the success of the OCIA process and the care of participants
Table Leads
Table Leads help facilitate small group discussions and encourage conversation during classes and events. They help participants feel comfortable asking questions and engaging more deeply with the material.
Service Coordinators
Service Coordinators organize volunteer projects, outreach opportunities, and service experiences for participants.
As part of the new OCIA process all participants are now required to complete 20 service hours during the program.These volunteers help connect participants to meaningful opportunities to live out their faith through service.
Administrative Coordinators
Administrative Coordinators help ensure the program runs smoothly behind the scenes by managing organization and participant records.
Responsibilities include:
- Tracking attendance
- Alerting team leads when participants struggle with attendance
- Preparing handouts and materials for classes
- Collecting required documents
- Monitoring volunteer hour completion
- Maintaining accurate records such as:
- Saint selections
- Sponsor assignments
- Service hour progress
Shared spreadsheets and organizational systems will be provided.
Breakfast Coordinators
Breakfast Coordinators help organize food and hospitality for their assigned class gatherings.
Responsibilities include:
- Planning breakfast within the class budget
- Coordinating food orders or ingredient requests through the Faith Formation Office
- Purchasing approved supplies when necessary
Reimbursements are available when needed or requested.
Prayer Team
The Prayer Team supports the spiritual life of the OCIA community through intentional prayer for:
- Participants
- Catechists
- Volunteers
- Retreats and events
- Personal prayer requests shared within the program
These volunteers help ensure that prayer remains at the center of the OCIA journey.
Retreat Coordinators
Retreat Coordinators work closely with parish staff, OCIA leadership, and retreat speakers to organize and execute retreats throughout the year.
Responsibilities include coordinating:
- Facilities and room setup
- Food and drinks
- Retreat schedules
- Activities and logistics
- Hospitality for speakers and participants
Under the new OCIA model, we will host:
- 3 Inquiry Retreats
- 1 Catechumenate Retreat
- 1 Summer Retreat
- 1 Biblical Scrutiny Retreat
for a total of 6 retreats annually.
Mass Accompaniment Volunteers
Mass Accompaniment Volunteers serve in one of the most personal and relational roles within the OCIA process. These volunteers help newcomers feel welcomed, comfortable, and supported as they begin attending Mass and learning the rhythms of Catholic worship.
For many people entering OCIA, attending Mass can feel overwhelming or intimidating at first. The liturgy has a flow, language, and structure that may be completely unfamiliar. Mass Accompaniment Volunteers help bridge that gap through simple presence, patience, and hospitality.
These volunteers will receive designated badges to help them stand out and be easily identifiable at Mass. Inquirers who would like someone to sit with during Mass will be able to sign up for accompaniment, but the badges will also serve another important purpose: helping visitors and non-Inquirers recognize that there is a safe, welcoming person available to answer questions or offer guidance.
Responsibilities include:
- Sitting with new participants during Mass
- Helping them follow along with the liturgy
- Indicating when the congregation stands, sits, or kneels
- Assisting them in finding prayers, readings, and responses in the missals
- Explaining basic Mass etiquette and customs when appropriate
- Ensuring participants understand that they are welcome to receive a blessing during Communion, but should not receive the Eucharist unless they are baptized and fully catechized Catholics
- Offering a welcoming, patient, and non-judgmental presence
This ministry requires kindness, attentiveness, and a gentle approach. Often the most meaningful part of someone’s first experience at Mass is simply having another person willing to sit beside them and help them feel like they belong.
Mass Accompaniment Volunteers play a vital role in helping newcomers move from feeling like visitors to becoming part of the parish community.
The OCIA process changes lives because people are willing to walk alongside others in faith. Whether through teaching, hospitality, organization, prayer, service, or simple accompaniment, every volunteer becomes part of someone’s journey toward Christ and His Church. No matter your gifts or experience level, there is a place for you within the OCIA community.