Born Again | Walk Thru the Mass – April 16, 2026

Every year for the last dozen, Angel Koerkel and I have had the great honor of helping people through the Christian initiation process, OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). Our newest staff member, Evan Connors has joined us for this Easter. We have an amazing team of people who assist in so many ways as companions on the journey. For twelve years on the eve before Easter morning, my face has been hurting from smiling so much! This year was no exception. 

In the weeks ahead in this weekly bulletin, we will be sharing some of the very personal life stories of our OCIA friends from this year. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to talk about how some of these folks have been reborn. Fr. Chas shared snippets of a few of these life stories in his Easter homily; but there are so many more stories to tell. You will be reading about someone receiving physical healing from a chronic and debilitating stomach illness. The prayers of the good people at St. John quite literally opened a door to a new way of living for this young man. We have a young mother whose family has been overwhelmed by the kindness of parishioners. Several who have struggled with severe depression, anxiety, even life trauma who have found a peace and a solace with Jesus Christ in his Sacraments. I am weepy with tears of joy as I think about Catholic kids being able to see their newly Catholic parents receive Communion for the first time. Some of these folks have been Lutherans or Evangelicals, and more than one had rarely ever set foot in a Catholic Church before this year. I can’t wait for you to meet each of these wonderful friends. 

Here at St. John’s, our OCIA process does not end at Easter only to pick up again in September, like a school year. We are fortunate to be able to offer our OCIA all year round. Starting in May, we will be introducing our next class session on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. It will be a series that will explain and explore the Mass.  A WALK THRU THE MASS is not only for the newbies, we are also inviting this year’s group to attend as their FINAL sessions. As always, our classes are open to anyone in the parish. If you are exploring, inquiring, or searching: there is no commitment and no cost. If you have finished up OCIA for this year or any previous year: you are always welcomed. If you want a reminder, a reboot, a refresher, or just an excuse for a great social evening with a whole bunch of holy people… everyone has a seat at the table!

We will walk through the Mass with a look at the Bible roots (where is THAT in the Bible?), the trunk of history, the branches of explanations, and the fruit of personal experience. There will be handouts, video clips, discussions, talks, homework, laughs, and bar food (finger food) like popcorn and pretzels. Come on! What more is there?