During Lent, those who attend the 8:30am Mass on the first three Sundays of March will hear three special stories from the gospel of John. These stories describe intimate and life-changing encounters with Jesus and correspond to the three scrutinies those in the Order of Christian Initiation program go through before being baptized at the Easter Vigil.

First, we hear the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, then the story of the man born blind, and finally the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The OCI elect and parishioners are asked to use these symbolic and human stories to reflect on all that calls us to Jesus, on all that keeps us from Jesus, and on all that needs healing in our lives. This gradual process prepares the hearts of the unbaptized and the faithful for the change and healing we will experience during Holy Week and the Easter Vigil.

The Order of Christian Initiation for adults, teens, and children is the process
of welcoming people who want to be full members of the Catholic faith community. We will be profiling those on their faith journey in upcoming bulletins. In the meantime, pick up a prayer card in the narthex to pray for these individuals in a special way as they complete their formation and receive their sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Learn more at st-ann.org/ocia.