When my family entered the Catholic Church, one lesson surprised me more than most: everything takes time. Our parish OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) stretched over eighteen months before we were able to be received. The patience required was real, and at times exhausting. But as I’ve continued to walk in the life of the Church, I’ve discovered that this slow pace is not an accident. Formation programs often begin with a year of discernment. Parish initiatives