WRVCC OCIA blog February 2026
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He is risen!
He is risen!
I pray your hearts are full this week with many graces and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It’s a great time to live each day with a little bit more sensitivity to the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they fall uniquely in your own life and day to day encounters with the people God places in your path.
Congrats to all of you who ran the race and finished strong to receive the fullness of grace in our Catholic Church! This is truly only the beginning! We have a little less than 50 days of Easter to go! May our hearts burn with the love of the Holy Spirit as we look forward to the great feast of pentecost on May 24th! Then we have the Feast of the Holy Trinity on May 31st, and the feast of Corpus Christi on June 7th!
This coming Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. It’s a great feast only a couple decades old.
We get back together as a class on April 16th. If you want to check out a potential ministry you might want to be involved in, there is a confirmation class tomorrow evening 6:00 - 8:30 at the St. Charles Hall. Juan and Deisyi are awesome leaders, and there is a great team of us who each teach a part of the lesson every week. Feel free to come and just be there! Tomorrow’s topic is Evangelization. It’s the last class before we start practicing with the 50+ students for when the Bishop comes on April 26th at 3:00 at OLS.
And if you want to get up and listen to Salt and Light Tomorrow morning, I’ll be on live with the morning show (Brian and Hope) to talk about how Dad’s can bring humor into sharing the faith with the family, and in general. Sooo tough for me. You can hear it on 89.3 FM or on the app, and I think their Salt and Light YouTube is live too.
Let’s keep praying for each other!
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the triduum
The McGowans received the Sacrament of Matrimony Tuesday at St. Charles Tomorrow, we begin the Triduum, a season all unto itself.
Many are awaiting the reception of the Sacraments this coming weekend with great joy and anticipation. Yes, something will “happen “to” you, but YOU must also happen to it: lift your whole heart mind and soul up to Jesus and He will take over. He just needs your “yes”. Like Mary, say “let it be done unto me according to God's will”.
After she said this, she didn’t sit down, she got up and went to her cousin’s house to share the good news but Jesus was already inside of her womb. When she greeted Elizabeth, the infant leapt in Elizabeth’s womb. John the Baptist received his redemption and confirmation inside Elizabeth's womb.
When we go out first to our families and friends and then to the rest of the world with Jesus in our souls, we bring the reason for existence to all we meet which, when they find it, they will leap for joy - on the inside, where words cannot contain this exchange. And perhaps, we will see confirmation in their spirits of having met Jesus or maybe the work he does is dependent on their openness.
As we approach the Easter Triduum, there’s a sense that each of us is being drawn into the same sacred mystery.
Let’s reflect on how the Church invites us to walk through these days, no matter where you may find yourself today or who you will be spending this time with. We hold the immense joy of “knowing how the story ends.” So much so, that it can be easy for us to move too quickly, looking ahead to Easter without fully entering into all that comes before.
But the sacred Triduum invites us deeper. The Triduum is not simply three separate days, but the beauty of one unfolding liturgy—movement of love that begins with Holy Thursday, brings us to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, and leads us to the joy of the Resurrection at the Easter Vigil.
And it is by keeping our hearts and minds with Jesus through each of these moments, not just arriving at the empty tomb, that our hearts are changed. Brothers and sisters, through each of these sacred days let us stay with him.
I am praying for you and your loved ones this week. May our Lord bless you and may you be drawn closer to his heart this Easter Triduum.
In Christ,
ChrisA Quick look at the Schedule:
Thursday
6:00pm Mass of the Last Supper (SCB and OLS)Here’s who I have to let their feet be washed at Our Lady of the Snows with Fr. Kevin. We have: Whim, Chris, Ben, Ed, Sheri, Daniela, Thomas, Gloriana, Lyle, Claudia, and 2 First Communion children. If you aren’t on this list and I asked you, thank you for saying yes!
*Mass doesn’t end this night, the evening concludes with the altar being stripped, and a beautiful procession with the Blessed sacrament to the ‘garden of repose’ downstairs. People are encouraged to stay and keep watch with Jesus for a while, to remember His Agony in the garden.
Friday
12:00 Noon Stations of the cross (SCB and OLS)
6:00pm Reading of the Passion and communion (SCB and OLS)Saturday
10:30 Marriage Sacrament celebrated at St. Charles by Fr. Ron with Matthew and Ana, and Jeff and Erin.
11:00-11:30am Elect and Sponsors rehearse for the Easter vigil – St. Charles with Fr. Ron and Our Lady of the Snows with Fr. Kevin7:00pm Arrive at your respective Parishes to find your seat.
8:00pm Easter Vigil Begins with lighting of the Fire outside and procession of the Easter Candle.2026 OCIA Candidates for Initiation St. Charles Borromeo
Elect for Baptism
Joshua Mayes
Juan Valencia
Fatima Cornejo
Monzerrath Cornejo
Brett Ling
Reception into the Church
Joseph Stellers
Bill Bridwell
Candidates for Confirmation
Joshua Mayes
Juan Valencia
Joseph Stellers
Bill Bridwell
Fatima Cornejo
Monzerrath L. Cornejo
Brett Ling
Adult Catholics for Confirmation
Alejandra García
Cristina Vega Escobedo
Julisa Vega Escobedo
Javier Vega Escobedo
Marriage Validations before Easter
Connor & Aurora Dawn McGowan
Jeff & Erin Chandler
Matthew & Ana Poynter
Jovany & Cristina Armenta
2026 OCIA Candidates for Initiation Our Lady of the Snows
Elect for Baptism
Matthew Poynter
Jeff Chandler
Reception into the Church
Aurora McGowan
Candidates for Confirmation
Matthew Poynter
Jeff Chandler
Aurora McGowan
Adult Catholics for Confirmation
Connor McGowan
Daniela Olejnikova
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March 25th One week of Lent to go!
Happy Feast Day of the Annunciation of Mary!
In this little video I mistakenly say Assumption… Well, you know what I mean.
A quick reminder for the folks who will be receiving Sacraments at St. Charles Borromeo, please come to the parish on Saturday at 11:00am to have Fr. Ron go over some basics for the Easter vigil. So far, Josh and Bill can make it and Joseph has to work. Just need to hear from Juan and Alex.
This video is just by way of encouragement to all of us in this last week of Lent 2026. I think it’s been unlike any other! In a good way!
We’ll see you tomorrow evening at 6:30 to talk about the Triduum, and to learn more about Catholic Morality, and Catholic Social teaching. I know some of you have work or are out of town. Let's keep praying for each other!
In Christ, Chris
Hello Friends,
Here is an outline of dates and Rites through Easter to the end of our semester. I will flesh out the details in the next few days. For this Sunday, Father will ask you (and all the others who are preparing for initiation) to stand up just after the homily for him to pray for you and give you a blessing. This will happen for the following two Sundays as well.
Next Thursday we will have a special time during our class meeting where we hand you a special copy of the Creed.
Just let me know what days you can be present for any or all of these, and those you will be away, etc. and we will 'catch you up' when we can. The retreat on March 21st is actually for you and the whole group, very similar to our last one - a really good time to study and pray.
In Christ,
Chris
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Next steps for the Path to Easter:
The time of purification:
a. The scrutinies
i. Weekend of March 7-8 (at whichever Mass you attend)
( The handing on of the Creed will be Thursday evening class 3/12 6:30-8:00pm St. Charles hall)
ii. Weekend of March 14-15 (at whichever Mass you attend)
iii. Weekend of March 21-22 (at whichever Mass you attend)
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b. Pre-Holy Week retreat - Saturday March 21st 9-noon OLS
c. Holy Week
i. Holy Thursday – Mass of the Last Supper (foot washing) 6pm
ii. Good Friday – Stations of the Cross 6 pm
iii. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 8pm Sacraments of initiation!
d. Class meetings Thursdays 6:30 pm at St. Charles
i. April 9th NO CLASS (EASTER WEEK)
ii. April 16th A love that lasts. God's plan for human sexuality
iii. April 23rd The 10 Commandments Morality and Conscience & MYSTAGOGIA
iv. April 30th Ministry Faire (getting involved in ministry)
v. May 7th Mystagogia / Discipleship Catholic Social Teaching
vi. May 14th Celebration!
Scrutinies Week 1 (March 8th)
Rite of Election St. Jerome March 4th 2026
Thursday, February 26th
5 weeks from Holy Thursday
We are on the last leg of our journey accompanying those brothers and sisters who are preparing for full communion with the Holy Catholic Church!
Next Wednesday we travel with our sponsors and any family members who wish to attend to St. Jerome parish to celebrate the Rite of Election along with many other fellow Catholics from all of Southern Idaho. Bishop Peter will be there to receive and sign the book of the elect from both St. Charles Borromeo and Our Lady of the Snows. We’ll meet at 5:45 in the Narthex for the ceremony which will take place at 6:30 pm.
Tonight we will have those who are making this journey sign the book of the elect, and this weekend we will participate in the Rite of Sending at the 5:00 pm Saturday, at Our Lady of the Snows, the 8:30 am Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo, and 10:30 am Sunday at Our Lady of the Snows. Fr. Caleb will be presiding at each of those Masses who will pray a blessing over us and receive the books of the Elect. Please bring your sponsors.
Those preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are: Joshua Mayes (SCB), Brett Ling, Matthew Poynter, Madison Stevens, and Jeff Chandler (OLS)
Those who will be received into the Church and receive Confirmation and Eucharist (having already been Baptized Christian) are: Joseph Stellers, Bill Bidwell (SCB) and Aurora McGowan (OLS)
And those who will receive Confirmation are: Alejandra Garcia, and Suleima Romero (SCB)
Let me know what Mass you plan to attend this weekend (I know some are out of town and we will ‘catch up’ before the Rite of Election).
If you can’t make it tonight, I’ll connect with you before the Mass you will attend so you can sign the book! Just let me know if you have any questions.
Let’s keep each other in prayer as we journey to Jesus Christ and full communion with His Church!
In Christ,
Chris
Wednesday January 7th 2026
Greetings fellow Pilgrims of Faith and welcome to the year of Our Lord 2026!
AD means Anno Domini, BC means Before Christ. Like He is the Center of time, may Jesus be the center of our lives as we draw nearer to Him in prayer and study!
I’m not sure about you but it seems a little bit like someone sped up time itself lately. Perhaps it’s a result of living in a world where things can be communicated literally around the globe in milliseconds. Kind of a far cry from when Jesus stood on Mt. Olivet and blessed the Apostles and Disciples and said go to the ends of the earth proclaiming all I have said and done and baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t post it on Insta or FB, or X… they had to actually walk down the hill and carry the message on foot! The Angels were even sent to ‘shoo’ them on because when Jesus said he would return they were thinking, maybe 30 minutes to an hour.
He said: “Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)
As Catholics we understand that to mean that He is still with us in 2026 through His presence in the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures (Bible), the Church, and the 7 Sacraments, especially His True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. And the ‘end of the age’ could be 1000 years from now, or next Easter (which by the way is a bit early this year – April 5th).
So far in our OCIA journey we have covered a lot of ground including topics like: Revelation, Sacred Scripture (How Catholics interpret Scripture), Jesus Christ, Your Prayer Life, Mary and the Saints, the Immaculate Conception, Ever Virgin, etc., The Sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, The Holy Spirit and the Church (magisterium, papal infallibility...), the Fall, Jesus; fully God and fully human, life (the Gospels} death and resurrection, and how salvation "works".
And we still have a few miles to go in this next 12 weeks before Easter. I like to think of this time before Lent (starting on Ash Wednesday 2/18) like a ‘training Lent’, a time of getting ready to enter into the real Lent; a deep season (40 days) of prayer, reflection, healing, and inspiration.
Tomorrow we gather at 6:30PM in the St. Charles Parish Hall to cover the topic: The Mass and Catholic prayers and Devotions (everything from Holy Water to genuflecting…bring your questions). We may have some new members.
We have some beautiful ‘milestones’ in our near future (We will be talking about these rites and dates in the next two weeks. Let’s keep each other in prayer!
In Christ,
Chris
Upcoming Dates:
Adult Confirmation Prep Classes: (Pick One) Saturday January 17th Saturday February 21st And Saturday March 21st 9:00AM – Noon (Our Lady of the Snows) For People who have been Baptized Catholic and have not been Confirmed.
Rite of Acceptance: February 22nd, 2026 (SCB and OLS) “Saying yes to the Catechumenate” (tell me everything “I’m in!”
Rite of Sending: March 7-8 at Mass time With Sponsors. Blessing and sign the book All Candidates (those who are already Baptized, and Catechumens (those who have not yet been Baptized)
Rite of Election date: March 4th Jerome – with Bishop Peter
Scrutiny (prayers) March 8th, March 15th, March 22nd (third fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent)
Lenten Retreat Day: March 28th @ OLS from 10:00AM -12:00PM
Holy Week Services: Holy Thursday April 2nd and Good Friday April 3rd Begins at 6PM
Easter Vigil: Saturday Evening April 4th Begins at 8:00PM
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