(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash).
WAUNAKEE — A range of emotions were seen on the faces of more than 120 soon-to-be full members of the Catholic Church on Sunday, Feb. 22, at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
Some smiled in awe over the beauty of the church’s architecture. Some looked nervous about the uncertainty over what was coming next. Others sat patiently with their sponsors and other future parish members, merely taking it all in.
The first Sunday of Lent again marked the occasion of the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion.
It’s part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
The RCIA is the process through which adults are introduced to the Catholic faith and become members of the Church. This will happen at the Easter Vigil Mass at their respective parishes.
This year there are 35 catechumens (elect), or those who are not yet baptized and will receive the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. There are 90 candidates — those who have been baptized Christian, but are seeking the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation.
Welcome from the bishop
The afternoon began with a prelude and opening hymn led by the Madison Diocesan Choir under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman and the Odyssey Woodwind Quartet.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino greeted everyone, thanking them for “coming in faith,” as well as thanking his “brother priests” who came from 38 parishes around the diocese to pray for the catechumens and candidates.
As he thanked everyone for coming, the bishop said, “We welcome great men and women who want to follow Jesus Christ, who want to grow close to him each day, especially through Baptism and Confirmation and Eucharist.”
Later in his homily, Bishop Morlino said “it is always a joy to come to St. John’s in Waunakee for this very happy day.”
“Dear candidates and catechumens,” the bishop went on to say, “as you prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, you’re preparing to be joyful. You’re preparing during Lent to go ‘outside the camp,’ to go into the desert, to go out on the ‘peripheries,’ and become people not of greed, but of gratitude. Not of self-centeredness, but of joy.
He continued, “That’s the gift the Holy Spirit offers you in a beautiful way this Lent. Please, with those who support you in community, with those who instruct you, with your sponsors, your godparents, especially with your pastor, determine to become a symbol of Jesus who is always a person of gratitude and joy, not a person of greed and selfishness.”
Prepared to fully enter the Church
After the homily, the catechumens, candidates, and their sponsors stood up. The bishop then asked the sponsors if the catechumens and candidates were prepared to continue their journey to enter the Church. The bishop asked the catechumens and candidates if they wished to enter fully into the life of the Church. They all responded, “We do.”
As their names were called, the catechumens then came forward to offer their names for enrollment by signing the Book of the Elect. Their sponsors placed their right hand on their shoulder as they approached and shook hands with Bishop Morlino.
Next, the candidates came forward, as their names were called, to approach the bishop with their sponsors. Their sponsors also placed their right hand on the candidates’ shoulders as they approached and shook hands with Bishop Morlino.
The liturgy concluded with intercessions for the catechumens and candidates and a final blessing from Bishop Morlino.
Following the liturgy, a reception was held in the parish hall for the catechumens, candidates, sponsors, family members, and others celebrating the day.