2026-2027 Deanery Collaborative OCIA Information



Liturgy and Life: The Emmaus Journey is a new liturgical-based OCIA faith formation curriculum that helps parishes accompany candidates, catechumens, neophytes, sponsors, catechists, and parish leaders through the rhythms of the Sunday liturgy. 


Rooted in the Road to Emmaus, each weekly chapter connects the Word of God, Catholic teaching, personal reflection, and pastoral accompaniment through practical resources for homilists, catechists, participants, and sponsors—inviting the whole parish community into a shared journey of conversion, discipleship, and life in Christ.

Schedule of Classes and Catechetical Class Framework

Below are the links to the full Schedule of Classes for the 2026-2027 year.

The Catechetical / Class Framework for Catechists provides an example of how to structure

the presentation of the lesson each week.

Weekly Lessons

Below are the links to the Liturgical cycle lessons. Each lesson includes four coordinated handouts that connect the Sunday liturgy, catechetical theme, and practical Gospel living for the week.


The First Handout: For the Homilist — Christ Speaks, We Listen: summarizes the Sunday Gospel, highlights the liturgical thread across the readings, and offers a simple method for prayerful reflection.

The Second Handout: For the Catechist — The Church Teaches, We Learn: presents the weekly catechetical focus, key Catholic Update resources, and formation guidance for leading dialogue and instruction.

The Third Handout: For the Candidate/Catechumen or Neophyte — The Disciple Responds, We Live: helps participants grow as intentional disciples through weekly Gospel practice, reflection, journaling, and prayer.

The Fourth Handout: For the Sponsor — The Church Sends, We Witness: supports sponsors in the ministry of accompaniment with guidance for spiritual conversation, practical witness, and ongoing support of the candidate.



Catholic Update Supplements

In addition to the lessons, each week there will be two Catholic Update publications that will reinforce the weekly lesson material and connect Church teaching to parishioners’ daily lives - inviting the whole parish community into a shared journey of conversion, discipleship, and life in Christ.


The primary and supplemental Catholic Updates will cover: Advent and Lenten devotions, Sacramental instruction, Catholic social teaching, Foundations of the Catholic faith, Spiritual growth, and Family life. 


Links to the Catholic Updates for each lesson are available below.