My Journey to Becoming Catholic

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

For weeks I drove past the “Interested in Becoming Catholic” sign (you can’t miss it) outside of SMOY and finally sent an email in August to get more information. I didn’t know it then, but I was taking my first leap of faith.

Entering OCIA began as a quiet curiosity for me but quickly started to become something much deeper. I began to realize that I was filling a void that I knew I had but didn’t know what it was- A relationship with God was blossoming. I remember having a thought “this is going to change my life forever if I let it”. 

In class we began to learn that Catholicism is rich with history, meaning and intentionality. I loved learning how every sacrament and tradition has roots that go back centuries, all pointing to the same thing, a deeper relationship with Christ. Not only did OCIA teach me information and history, it changed the way I see everything. I began to understand that God is not abstract or far away. He is present, intentional and deeply involved in the details of my life. This transformation has profoundly changed my marriage, motherhood, and friendships in the most positive ways. 

One of the biggest surprises for me is the sense of community that I felt right away. I felt welcomed and supported right from the start. The people that I have met on my OCIA journey have made a lasting impact on me. Their openness and willingness to answer any questions and share their own faith stories helped me to feel like I truly belonged. I actually felt so comfortable in this journey that I joined the AM WOW group (shout out to table 3) where I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my faith when OCIA is over.

This process has been a meaningful and life-giving experience for me. It deepened my faith, opened my heart, and changed me in ways that even I still cannot believe. I am grateful for this journey and excited for what lies ahead. I am so sad that classes are coming to an end, but I am leaving with a heart that feels transformed, more grounded, more hopeful and more aware of God’s presence.

Thank you so much to the OCIA leaders and the St Margaret of York Parish for all of your love and support.

-Amanda Guthridge