Adult Formation

Becoming Catholic

  • OCIA, or the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is for those wanting to be baptized, wanting to join the Catholic faith from another faith tradition, or wanting to complete their initiation within the Catholic Church. OCIA is a program which provides a time of catechetical instruction and formation for those adults preparing to receive Sacraments. 

  • We meet Wednesday evenings during the NIU school year and receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass in April. The first session for the 2025-26 academic year will be September 17.

    The first five weeks of OCIA are the “Inquiry Period” – a time of questions, reflection, and discernment.

    View 2025-26 OCIA schedule here.


​With questions or for more information,
email Jason Theobald, ocia@newmanniu.org.

Catechism with Fr. G

The Catechism in 24 Weeks with Father Gonnella meets Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

  • Adult parishioners and college students, join us on Sunday mornings, starting Sept. 21st from 9:00am - 10:15am (between the Masses), as Fr. Gonnella leads us through the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 24 weekly sessions. Attend any or all of the Sundays; no fee or registration is required. Lap babies are welcome! Come with questions and a hunger for knowledge (and donuts)!

    Follow us on Spotify to catch the classes you miss along with weekly homilies.