Record-High Sioux Falls Catholic Converts, Inculding My Husband

During this Easter season, Catholic Dioceses across the nation saw a record number of adults turn into Catholic Converts. Sioux Falls even saw growth in the church.

The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Sioux Falls alone had over 60 converts, which is double the number they saw in 2025. My husband was even one of the individuals joining the Catholic Church.

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Our news partners at Dakota News Now are reporting that the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese had almost 150 converts. When adults wish to become Catholic, they participate in a program called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults or OCIA (formerly known as RCIA). 

It's all about getting down to the nitty-gritty of what being Catholic means, asking those tough questions, and experiencing all the pieces coming together!

There's no pressure. OCIA is a chance for people to explore "the possibility of becoming Catholic." Director of OCIA at Cathedral of St. Joseph, Ian Carter, tells Dakota News Now that people who "discern" the Catholic faith have the hope of joining the church at the Easter Vigil service. However, it's okay to have questions and maybe wait until you're ready for this big commitment.

“Some people come into OCIA ready to convert right now, and as they start digging into it, they realize they need a little bit of that formation And some people remain skeptical for the duration of the process, and it doesn’t quite make sense until there we are at Easter Vigil.”

There's always help for those who are contemplating Catholicism.

Feeling unsure at times is natural. After all, moving in the direction of joining a particular faith community is a significant step. It is always a good idea to speak with one of our catechists (teachers) to understand the source of your doubt. If you remain uncertain and feel that now is not the right time to become Catholic, you are free to leave at any step in the OCIA process. If you ever decide to explore Catholicism again, you will always be welcomed back

Even Catholics can join the OCIA program to learn more about their faith. I joined my husband for almost every class. Watching him go on this journey made me so proud.

As someone who grew up Catholic, I was fascinated by the questions and conversations others had about the church. Some of the thoughts mentioned, I honestly never had about my faith. But it only showed how the Holy Spirit was moving throughout the class.

This class had a great leader in Ian Carter. Ian, thank you for guiding the Catechumens and Candidates during the program. My husband truly enjoyed each session and felt confident in his decision because of you. We'll miss seeing you every week!