On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Catholic Central held an all-school Mass celebrating The Feast of Immaculate Conception. During Mass, 19 students from the Order of Christian Initiation For Teenagers (OCIT) program were recognized for starting their journey in the Catholic faith. 

The OCIT program, established in 2018, provides an opportunity for non-Christian students at Catholic Central to be baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. Students who complete the program are welcomed into the Church during a special all-school Mass held at the end of the school year.

There are two types of students in the program: Those who are not Catholic but wish to become Catholic, and those who are Catholic but have not yet completed full initiation (for example, they have not received either Confirmation or First Communion).

The program was created by Frs. Bill Riegel, CSB, Dennis Noelke, CSB, and Mr. Kevin Walters, the Director of Campus Ministry, with special approval from Archbishop Vigneron. Its primary goal is to initiate faith formation for teenagers.

Many students join because they witness their friends go through the program. Others are influenced by their families or what they learn while taking Theology classes at CC. 

Throughout the process, students prepare for reception into the Church and develop a connection with their local parish. While formation takes place during the school day, the first step for each candidate is to actively engage with their parish. OCIT leaders coordinate with parish pastors to ensure this involvement for each student.

In addition to the recognition of OCIT students, Theology Teacher Melissa Jones explained the history and importance of Our Lady of Guadalupe during today's Mass, stating that the young men of Catholic Central are never alone because Mary Alma Mater is always with them. 

For more information about OCIT, please visit our Becoming Catholic page.