Sunday, Feb. 26, saw a crowd gather at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
Tag: Candidates
Rite of Election set for March 6
Facing Summit Ave. in St. Paul, Minn., the University of St. Thomas boasts these magnificent arches in the Collegiate Gothic style.
Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion
WAUNAKEE — The Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
Parishes from throughout the diocese will send those who will celebrate the sacraments of initiation this Easter, as well as their sponsors, family, and friends. About 500 people are expected to attend, with Bishop Donald J. Hying presiding.
‘Election’ means ‘chosen’
The word “election” is used in this liturgy to mean “chosen.”More than 120 take next steps to becoming Catholic
“It’s been a wonderful journey and I’m very excited,” said catechumen Brandi Jo Peña from St. William Parish in Janesville, with her husband and sponsor, Steven, at her side.
Catechumens and candidates take next steps to joining the Church
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| Catechumen Jessica Beilharz from St. Mary Parish in Milton signs the Book of the Elect while her sponsor looks on during the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on February 18. The annual rites took place at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee. Also pictured is Msgr. James Gunn, far left, pastor of St. John the Baptist. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
WAUNAKEE — On February 18, more than 90 people from the Diocese of Madison stood and gave their promises to continue their journey to fully enter the Catholic Church.
The annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion was held at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
More than 20 catechumens, those that are not yet baptized, and nearly 70 candidates, those who are baptized Christians and now seeking the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, took part in the rites.
Erica Wand, from St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe, is one of those candidates.
“I feel like it’s a calling,” said Wand. “I’ve been wanting to do this to help my kids grow in the Catholic Church.”
“It’s been a wonderful journey,” said Wand’s sponsor and sister-in-law Gina Bacher. “I’m glad she’s doing it for her family.”
Words from the bishop
“Welcome to this wonderful moment,” Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison said at the start of the event.
“It’s a joy and an honor to be with you this afternoon. I want you always to be welcome, to feel welcome in the Church, and the way we do that is by carrying out our mission as true disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Later, in his homily, Bishop Morlino reflected on Mark’s Gospel reading that said, “The spirit drove Jesus out into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”
Bishop Morlino said Jesus being tempted was part of his mission and that for everyone, “Temptations are practice in the game of life.”
Rite of Election to be held on February 18
The Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 3 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
Bishop gives good review of candidates
To the editor:
What a good synopsis and full review of the presidential candidates written by Bishop Robert C. Morlino (October 27 issue). It was written in a way that encourages one to vote, but does not impart a feeling of guilt for whatever one’s choice is.
What’s happening to our ‘perfect Union’?
We Americans have always prided ourselves on having a democracy that operates fairly well.
Unlike some other countries, we usually settle our differences nonviolently (the Civil War being one big exception). We’ve relied on the ballot box to vote for our leaders.
Changes in our democracy
But over recent years, it seems as if our peaceful way of governing has given way to nasty bickering and even violence in word and deed.
Catechumens, candidates take steps to join the Church
At the conclusion of Lent, nearly 140 people are going to become new members of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Madison.
Rite of Election, Call to Continuing Conversion, to be held Sunday, Feb. 14
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| A catechumen signs the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election in 2015. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
WAUNAKEE — The Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 3 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
Parishes from throughout the diocese will send those who will celebrate the sacraments of initiation this Easter, as well as their sponsors, family, and friends. About 800 people are expected to attend, with Bishop Robert C. Morlino presiding.
‘Election’ means ‘chosen’
The word “election” is used in this liturgy to mean “chosen.”
In this liturgy, we acknowledge those who seek to be part of the Church have been chosen by God. The celebration comes from an ancient Christian practice of asking those who were to celebrate the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) to come forward at the beginning of Lent to show their intent.
The people of the Church, in turn, promise their support, guidance, and prayers. The celebration is one part of a long process that is called The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
The RCIA encompasses many facets of initiation, from the time a person first experiences the call of Christ or wishes to know about the Church, to the celebration of the sacraments of initiation and continued growth as a Christian.
It also includes adaptations for those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and seek to become members of the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.