The 2026 surge as encouragement

At the 2026 Rite of Election, 171 adults from 31 parishes were presented to Bishop Davies for election. Two successive Rites were celebrated at Shrewsbury Cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent because the Cathedral could not hold everyone in one celebration. The numbers are 82 in 2024, 100 in 2025, 171 in 2026. People are coming. Every parish needs to be ready.

Bishop Davies has called this a moment of grace. He has framed Shrewsbury as a Church ready for converts. Practically, that means every parish needs a clear path from first enquiry to the Easter sacraments. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is that path.

The parish is the first port

Most enquirers ask a friend, a parishioner, or knock at the parish door. The parish priest is the first port of call. He gathers the basic facts:

1. Is the enquirer baptised, and if so, in which Christian community?
2. What has drawn them to ask now?
3. Are they free to receive the sacraments (any prior marriage situation, for example)?

The right pathway depends on the answers:

• Unbaptised adult: full OCIA programme, ending at the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.
• Baptised in another Christian tradition: a shorter formation followed by Profession of Faith, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil or another suitable date.
• Baptised Catholic but never confirmed or never received First Communion: catechesis with the parish leading to Confirmation and Eucharist.

Step one: register the enquirer

Once the parish has decided the path, register the enquirer with the diocesan Education team. The Mission Secretary administers OCIA across the diocese, working with the Education team. The Mission Secretary keeps the central record, supplies materials, and prepares the parish for the Rite of Election.

Send the enquirer's name, parish, and pathway to:

• education@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Do this early in the autumn term so the diocesan list is complete before Christmas.

Step two: parish formation

Plan a weekly group, even if it starts with one or two people. The four periods of OCIA are:

1. Period of Inquiry. Open conversation. Tell the story of Christ and his Church. No commitment yet.
2. Period of the Catechumenate. Begins with the Rite of Acceptance. Catechesis follows on Scripture, the Creed, the sacraments, prayer, and Christian life.
3. Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Begins with the Rite of Election. Lent. Scrutinies. Final preparation.
4. Period of Mystagogy. Easter to Pentecost. Reflection on the sacraments now received.

Use a published OCIA programme. Pair each catechumen with a sponsor from the parish. Keep the parish priest informed at every step.

Step three: the Rite of Election

The Rite of Election is celebrated at Shrewsbury Cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent. Bishop Davies elects the catechumens by name. Natalie Orefice is the diocesan liaison who allocates parishes between the Cathedral celebrations and confirms practical details.

Contact: Natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

You will receive a request from her in early Lent for the names, photos, and parish details of your candidates. Submit promptly. The Cathedral runs to a tight schedule, especially when, as in 2026, two Rites are needed.

Step four: Easter and beyond

At the Easter Vigil, the catechumens are baptised, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion. Those already baptised are received into full communion. From Easter to Pentecost, the parish journeys with them through Mystagogy.

The hardest part is often what comes after. Plan the next year. Invite the new Catholics into a ministry. Pair them with established parishioners. Bishop Davies has been clear that the Church must be ready for converts not just at the Easter Vigil but in the months and years that follow.

What if a parish has no OCIA group

Talk to a neighbouring parish. Many smaller parishes form OCIA together with one or two near them. The diocesan Education team can put you in touch with parishes already running groups. No enquirer should be turned away because their parish has no programme.

Quick checklist for parish staff

1. First conversation with the parish priest.
2. Register the enquirer with education@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.
3. Pair with a sponsor.
4. Run weekly formation through autumn and Advent.
5. Submit names to Natalie Orefice for the Rite of Election.
6. Celebrate at the Easter Vigil.
7. Plan the year of Mystagogy.

Practical contacts

• Education team / Mission Secretary: education@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
• Rite of Election liaison: Natalie Orefice, Natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
• CCRS Coordinator (catechetical formation for parish leaders): Fr Michael Coughlan
• Curial Offices: 0151 652 9855, info@dioceseofshrewsbury.org