Hainesport parish welcomes OCIA candidates, ages 15-78, at Easter Vigil
April 21, 2025 at 8:20 a.m.
UPDATED April 21, 2025
Although Harold Harned had been attending Mass for the last 50 years, he had never made his first Communion or received the sacrament of Confirmation. As he approaches his 78th birthday in June and transitions from full-time to part-time employment, he decided that this year was the perfect time to become a full member of the Catholic Church.
PHOTO GALLERY: Easter Vigil in Hainesport parish
Harned was one of four candidates from the OCIA program at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, April 19. Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., was main celebrant at the Mass.
“My sisters and brothers, the Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. That is what we celebrate tonight,” Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., the main celebrant of the Easter Vigil, remarked in his homily.
“Tonight is about glory and triumph,” Bishop O’Connell said.
The OCIA program — formerly RCIA — is a monthslong program in which non-Christians or those who are baptized can be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Because Harned frequently travels for work, it was not always easy for him to regularly attend OCIA sessions.
“Father Joe and Deacon Leo welcomed my desire and accommodated me in guidance and study,” he said, referring to Father Joe Noche, pastor, and Deacon Leo Zito, both of whom assisted at the Easter Vigil. “I will now be a confirmed Catholic along with the rest of my family.”
The evening began with the traditional outdoor blessing of the Easter Fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle.
“If we keep the Memorial of the Lord’s Paschal Solemnity in this way — listening to his word and celebrating his mysteries — then we shall have the sure hope of sharing in his triumph over death and living with Him in God,” Bishop O’Connell said shortly before the Paschal Candle was lit.
Paths to the faith
Zachary Dunn and Tim Snope also received the sacraments of first Communion and Confirmation during the Vigil.
Snope and his wife, Barbara, have been attending Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace for the last few years. “We always leave having learned something new about our faith and feeling touched by God’s grace,” he said.
Snope was motivated to begin the OCIA process after hearing one of Deacon Zito’s homilies, in which he recounted his conversion from Judaism to Catholicism. Snope also cited his wife and nephew, David Snope — a recent convert to Catholicism — as his role models throughout the entire process.
Kevin Porter, the youngest OCIA candidate at age 15, had a special reason for wanting to become a full member of the Catholic Church. “Deacon Leo Zito is my Pop Pop and sponsor for Confirmation. He’s always been my best friend and has always been there for me.”
The joy of the evening was deeply felt by many in the congregation.
“I’ve always loved the Easter Vigil Mass,” parishioner Mark Anthony Williams said. “I love coming together as a parish to recount the history of our salvation.”
Parishioner Christina Pinto agreed. “Easter, for me, is a symbol of the Father’s adoring love for us.
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UPDATED April 21, 2025
Although Harold Harned had been attending Mass for the last 50 years, he had never made his first Communion or received the sacrament of Confirmation. As he approaches his 78th birthday in June and transitions from full-time to part-time employment, he decided that this year was the perfect time to become a full member of the Catholic Church.
PHOTO GALLERY: Easter Vigil in Hainesport parish
Harned was one of four candidates from the OCIA program at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, April 19. Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., was main celebrant at the Mass.
“My sisters and brothers, the Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. That is what we celebrate tonight,” Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., the main celebrant of the Easter Vigil, remarked in his homily.
“Tonight is about glory and triumph,” Bishop O’Connell said.
The OCIA program — formerly RCIA — is a monthslong program in which non-Christians or those who are baptized can be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Because Harned frequently travels for work, it was not always easy for him to regularly attend OCIA sessions.
“Father Joe and Deacon Leo welcomed my desire and accommodated me in guidance and study,” he said, referring to Father Joe Noche, pastor, and Deacon Leo Zito, both of whom assisted at the Easter Vigil. “I will now be a confirmed Catholic along with the rest of my family.”
The evening began with the traditional outdoor blessing of the Easter Fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle.
“If we keep the Memorial of the Lord’s Paschal Solemnity in this way — listening to his word and celebrating his mysteries — then we shall have the sure hope of sharing in his triumph over death and living with Him in God,” Bishop O’Connell said shortly before the Paschal Candle was lit.
Paths to the faith
Zachary Dunn and Tim Snope also received the sacraments of first Communion and Confirmation during the Vigil.
Snope and his wife, Barbara, have been attending Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace for the last few years. “We always leave having learned something new about our faith and feeling touched by God’s grace,” he said.
Snope was motivated to begin the OCIA process after hearing one of Deacon Zito’s homilies, in which he recounted his conversion from Judaism to Catholicism. Snope also cited his wife and nephew, David Snope — a recent convert to Catholicism — as his role models throughout the entire process.
Kevin Porter, the youngest OCIA candidate at age 15, had a special reason for wanting to become a full member of the Catholic Church. “Deacon Leo Zito is my Pop Pop and sponsor for Confirmation. He’s always been my best friend and has always been there for me.”
The joy of the evening was deeply felt by many in the congregation.
“I’ve always loved the Easter Vigil Mass,” parishioner Mark Anthony Williams said. “I love coming together as a parish to recount the history of our salvation.”
Parishioner Christina Pinto agreed. “Easter, for me, is a symbol of the Father’s adoring love for us.