Session 30: Celebration & Sending Forth – Discipleship Beyond OCIA

Welcome, brothers and sisters! Can you believe it? We’ve reached our final OCIA session. You’ve journeyed through Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and now Mystagogy. You’ve celebrated the sacraments at Easter, reflected on them, and grown in community. Now, today is not just a conclusion. It’s a sending forth. The goal of OCIA isn’t simply to prepare you for Easter. It’s to prepare you for a lifetime of Catholic discipleship. So today, we’ll celebrate what God has done in you, reflect on what discipleship looks like after OCIA, and send you forth into mission.

Looking Back with Gratitude

Take a moment. Think of where you were when you first walked into OCIA. Maybe you were curious. Maybe nervous. Maybe skeptical. And now look where you are: baptized, confirmed, nourished by the Eucharist, part of the Catholic family. That’s worth celebrating. God has been faithful. And so has your parish, your sponsors, and your fellow candidates and catechumens.

Humor Break

One OCIA director said: “We don’t hand out diplomas at the end - we hand out mission assignments.” This isn’t graduation. It’s commissioning. No cap and gown required!

Discipleship Beyond OCIA

So, what does it mean to be a Catholic disciple now?

Faithfulness to Mass – Sunday Mass is non-negotiable. It keeps your faith alive.
Daily Prayer – Even five minutes a day keeps you connected.
Sacramental Life – Go to Confession regularly. Stay rooted in grace.
Service – Use your gifts to serve in your parish and beyond.
Community – Stay connected with other Catholics. Don’t go it alone.
Evangelization – Share your joy. Invite others into the journey.

Interactive Reflection

Take two minutes. Write down one concrete commitment you’ll make as a new Catholic disciple: attend Mass faithfully, join a ministry, start daily prayer, invite a friend, etc. Be specific.

Mission in the Parish

Your parish needs you. The Church is stronger when every member contributes. Whether it’s helping with liturgy, teaching children, serving the poor, or simply being a joyful presence, your role matters. Think of yourself as part of the parish “engine.” If one piece stops working, the whole thing suffers. But when every piece runs, the parish thrives.

Humor Break #2

And yes, even stacking chairs after events counts as discipleship. Jesus washed feet - you can handle chairs.

Mission in the World

Discipleship isn’t just about parish life. It’s about how you live in your family, workplace, and community. People may never read a catechism, but they will read your life. Be a walking witness of Christ’s love.

Celebration

Take a moment now to celebrate. Share one highlight of your OCIA journey. Maybe it was your baptism, a class discussion, a parishioner’s encouragement, or a personal breakthrough. As each person shares, the group becomes a living testimony of God’s work.

Sending Forth

In the Bible, every encounter with Christ ends with a mission:

The woman at the well runs to tell her town.
The healed blind man proclaims his faith.
The apostles are sent to the ends of the earth.

Now it’s your turn. You’ve encountered Christ in the sacraments. Now He says: “Go and make disciples.”

Action Step

This week:

Mark your calendar for Sunday Mass - not just this week, but every week.
Choose one parish ministry or small group to join within the next month.
Write down your “mission statement” as a Catholic. Example: “I will live as a disciple by daily prayer, Sunday Mass, and inviting others to faith.”

Closing

Brothers and sisters, this is not the end of the journey. It’s the beginning. The Church has walked with you through OCIA. Now you are called to walk with Christ for the rest of your life. Go forth in joy. Go forth in faith. Go forth in mission. The world needs your witness. Your parish needs your gifts. And God will give you the grace to live as His disciple every single day.