How To

We are so happy that you are considering a deeper relationship with Jesus through the Catholic Church. To get started, contact a nearby parish and let them know that you are interested in finding out more.  

Adults, teens and older children typically come into the Church through a program known by its initials: OCIA. It stands for Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Participants in this program gather regularly in small groups to discuss the Catholic faith and prepare to enter the Church.

Contact your parish. If you don’t belong to a parish, contact the parish closest to you. 
The sacrament of baptism for infants is a family experience for infants. Part of that involves parents promising to raise the child in the Catholic faith, the priest or deacon will want assurance that they are sincere in that promise. 

Only a parent can request the baptism of a baby. If the parents are not interested, other relatives should pray and be examples of Jesus love and mercy, so that the child may be drawn to the Catholic faith as he or she grows up.

Congratulations on your relationship and your desire to make a lifelong commitment to each other and to Jesus! The Church is here to assist you in preparation for your marriage, on your wedding day and as you begin your new life together.
Make sure to contact the priest, deacon or parish staff at least six months before the intended date of the wedding, and to have a conversation with them before you make plans for the celebration.

You can obtain your records through the Diocesan Archives and Records Center.
 

Visit the Diocesan Archives and Records Center or the Catholic Cemeteries Association.

No one is excommunicated for getting a divorce. A divorce represents an emotional and spiritual tragedy, but does not affect your relationship with the Church, the sacraments or your parish. You are encouraged to receive the Eucharist and draw closer to God in a difficult time.

If a divorced person does not obtain an annulment and remarries outside the Church, the Church will not recognize the marriage and the man or woman will be expected to refrain from the sacraments and from positions of religious leadership. They are not excommunicated, however, and are encouraged to participate in all other aspects of parish life.

All divorced Catholics are encouraged to seek an annulment. The Diocese of Pittsburgh does not charge fees* for the annulment process. For more information, or to begin an application for an annulment click here. 

*Fees can occur in the rare cases where a former spouse appeals the decision to another diocese.

Obtaining an annulment can be an important way of moving forward emotionally and spiritually after a divorce. The Diocese of Pittsburgh does not charge fees for the annulment process.* 

To find more information or to file an initial application for an annulment, click here.

*Fees can occur in the rare cases where a former spouse appeals the decision to another diocese.

One of the Church’s most important ministries is to help Catholics transition from this life to eternal life with God. That transition is the essence of a Catholic funeral.

Contact the person’s parish and a funeral home. Most funeral homes are familiar with the procedures of nearby parishes.

There are important differences between a Catholic funeral and rituals of some other traditions. Two that sometimes surprise people are:

1. Eulogies – speeches in which loved ones reminisce about the deceased person – are not a part of the Catholic funeral Mass. They typically occur at the gathering after the service.
2. The Catholic Church allows cremation, but the ashes must be buried. They are not to be scattered or kept in the home. This is a witness to our respect for the human body and our belief that the dead will rise, with renewed bodies, when Jesus returns.

If you are pre-planning your own funeral, contact the Catholic Cemeteries Association.

For more information on Catholic funerals click here.