By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald
Candidates, catechumens answer God's call
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During the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates, these candidates were called forward and publicly presented to Bishop Raphael Fliss. (Catholic Herald photo by Dan Sullivan) |
SUPERIOR -- Welcoming those in attendance on Sunday, February 29, at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Superior for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, Bishop Raphael Fliss said the day and the rite being celebrated were special.
"I hope this rite will be truly important to you on your journey of faith," he said.
In his homily Fliss said that the celebration's Gospel, taken from Matthew (22:1:14), was a call to each person to a new kind of life. He said that God realizes that life is not always easy and it is easy to refuse his invitation because a person's life is "preoccupied" with many obstacles. "God continues to call us to a life of goodness and wants us to be full of hope all the time," Fliss said. "Not answering the call you lose out on a life of joy and happiness."
On this day in Superior candidates and catechumens answered God's call to become full members of the Catholic Church. This call will be answered again in a similar ceremony March 7, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Medford, by the remaining candidates and catechumens of the Diocese of Superior.
Following the homily catechumens, were officially received by the bishop and signed the Book of Elect.
All told, there are some 28 Catechumens in the diocese. During the Easter Vigil in their home parishes, these individuals will be baptized, confirmed and participate in the Eucharist for the first time.
Following this portion of the rite candidates seeking to complete their Christian initiation and who are preparing to be received into full communion of the Catholic Church were called forward and officially presented to Fliss. At the Easter Vigil some 73 candidates will be confirmed in their Catholic faith at churches in the diocese.
It is in his position as diocesan director of the office of worship that Fr. Gabriel Baltes, OSB, organizes the service. He said the rite is significant to all Catholics because it shows that growth is happening in the church throughout the diocese.
The ceremony, Baltes said, is a time for all Catholics to officially welcome and be supportive of these catechumens and candidates.
"It challenges us to be an example for them and to model the Christian life to them," he said. "This is why the public nature of the rite is significant and why the larger church needs to see this."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004