This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin talks with Christopher Carstens (Director of the Office for Sacred Worship) and Ann Lankford (Director of the Office for Catechesis and Evangelization) about OCIA (formerly RCIA), emphasizing it as a non–cookie-cutter process of conversion into Christ and the Church through catechesis, liturgical rites, prayer, and communal accompaniment. They preview a diocesan OCIA training conference on Saturday, October 24, at the Holy Cross Diocesan Center in La Crosse (9:30–3:30), featuring Father Derek Sakowski, Mass with Bishop Battersby, practical walk-throughs of key rites, pastoral sessions for new and experienced leaders, and a Q&A with Father Alan Guanella. The episode then shifts to a reflection with Father Steven Weller on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 5, Philippians 4, Matthew 21), focusing on bearing fruit, peace through prayer, and the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.

00:48 OCIA Conference Overview

02:10 RCIA to OCIA Explained

05:28 Why OCIA Matters

06:50 Prophet Priest King Formation

13:13 OCIA Nuts and Bolts

19:18 Parish Renewal and Growth

25:30 Conference Schedule Preview

26:17 Day Program Details

28:45 Liturgical Practica and Pastoral Tracks

31:05 Walking With Seekers

31:31 Meet The OCIA Team

32:43 Why Liturgy Forms Us

33:35 Conference Details And Invitation

35:12 Prayer And Hunger For Truth

36:53 Stories Of Conversion

39:26 OCIA Is Always New

40:19 Gospel Hope And Wrap Up

45:28 Sunday Readings Preview

46:25 Vineyard Parables And Peace

49:07 Harvest Fruits And Anxiety

51:34 Prayer In The Chapel

53:23 Rejected Stone Consolation

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