The following provides information on the diocesan normative way for catechumens and candidates to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church:
 

• Candidates are those who have been baptized Catholic but not confirmed must be confirmed by the Bishop. This is usually scheduled each Fall. Bishop Edward Lohse confers all confirmations during a liturgical ceremony at the Cathedral.
• Candidates are also those who have been baptized protestant and have not received any other sacraments. These candidates can enter the church at any time provided they are properly catechized and follow the standard procedure. They are usually confirmed & received by the parish where registered.
• Catechumens are those who have never been baptized. Catechumens are usually baptized AND confirmed by the parish that receives them. However, they can normally only enter at the Easter Vigil. There are specific rites & ceremonies that each must complete beforehand.

 
Because of the variety of the situations described above, and because we want to offer everyone the opportunity to enter the church in the manner that best suits their situation, St. Mary's offers two six-month OCIA classes that run cyclically throughout the year back-to-back, and under normal circumstances, the class you get sorted into is entirely dependent on when you will be received into the church
 

• The Fall/Winter class starts in October and runs through the Saturday before Easter (~ 6 months). This class is for those who have never been baptized and/or baptized protestants who approached us before the class starts. 
• The Spring/Summer class commences after Easter in late April or early May and runs to October. This class is specifically designed for baptized Catholics who will be received by the Bishop and/or any baptized protestants who inquire before the class begins.

 
Ultimately, we design & schedule the cycles this way so that OCIA serves its proper function as the ultimate preparatory period in between the assent to belief and the conferring of the sacraments. It offers the Candidate/Catechumen a prolonged period of time during which they can learn, reflect, and meditate upon the mysteries they are about to partake in, and when completed in this way, it helps to build an extreme sense of reverential anticipation, awe, and desire for union with God. Obviously, there can be some leeway for those in extreme and/or unusual situations, but for those who have the ability to wait for the proper classroom, it is highly recommend that they do so. 

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