A recent news report noted that the Diocese of Raleigh is one of the leading dioceses in the nation in welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. In eastern NC, one non-infant baptism (or reception into full communion) is welcomed annually for every 71 Catholics — which is nearly six times the national average.
The report attributes this growth to vibrant parish outreach, strong Hispanic ministry and a renewed missionary spirit that has inspired families to return to the practice of the faith. One diocesan priest is working hard to build on this momentum and welcome a new generation who are rediscovering Catholicism or discovering it for the first time.
“I’m thrilled with the statistics that show we are among the leading dioceses in people making this conversion and becoming active Catholics — going beyond a cultural faith to a lived faith,” said Monsignor Michael Clay, a retired priest of the Diocese of Raleigh and nationally recognized expert on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Monsignor Clay recently launched a new online resource, Harvest4God.com, to support catechists who accompany adults on their journey into the Church. The website went live Sept. 1 and provides complete formation sessions from the initial Inquiry Period through Pentecost, with multiple presentation formats ranging from full-technology to no-technology options.
“The challenge was very practical. How do I create something that lets catechists and seekers learn in a way that reflects the Church’s vision of initiation and evangelization, not just religious education?” Monsignor explained. “Over the years, I realized that while catechists want to form inquirers well, many do not know how to do it in a way that truly follows the ritual text. This website is meant to bridge that gap.”
Monsignor’s work builds on decades of experience. His doctoral research focused on adapting the catechumenate to rural and small-town America, where he found that approaches from suburban or urban contexts did not always translate. “I wanted to create something that is faithful to the Church but also culturally sensitive,” he said. Eventually, the entire site will be translated into Spanish, “in a way that is sensitive to Spanish speakers and their way of learning and living the faith,” he added.
The website currently covers the full 10-week Inquiry Period and will soon expand with weekly catechumenate sessions tied to the Sunday Gospels and liturgical calendar. It also includes catechetical preparation for major rituals, helping participants not only celebrate but also understand the depth of what they are celebrating.
He noted that his inspiration grew in part from research showing that nearly half of those initiated into the faith were no longer practicing Catholics five years later. “My own research during my time as a faculty member at Catholic University of America led me to believe one issue was that we were not doing a good job of evangelizing and following the ritual text correctly,” he said. “But we were still working in the first generation of the catechumenate We hadn’t evolved much in 1,500 years!”
As the Diocese of Raleigh continues to welcome new Catholics, many of them under age 40, at a remarkable rate, the launch of this resource aims to strengthen formation and deepen discipleship for the next generation.
For Monsignor Clay, the timing reflects divine providence: “The Lord might not come when you call on him, but he’s always right on time. And I believe the catechumenate has the potential to revolutionize the Church.”
For more information, visit Harvest4God.com.
What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Catholic Church’s process for welcoming adults into full communion with the faith. More than a class, it is a spiritual journey that unfolds within a parish community and helps participants come to know the living God personally, while learning to live a life of ongoing conversion.
The journey unfolds in four main phases:
- Evangelization & Precatechumenate – A time of inquiry and exploring faith
- Catechumenate – A deeper period (often lasting a year) of learning, parish involvement and living as a disciple
- Purification & Enlightenment – An intense, retreat-like period of prayer and preparation that takes place during Lent and culminates at Easter with the sacraments
- Mystagogy – A season of post-Easter formation, from Easter to Pentecost, deepening one’s experience of the sacraments and commitment to Christian witness
Each phase is designed to engage the heart, mind and soul. OCIA aims to guide participants into a lifelong relationship with Christ and his Church.