By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion held in the cathedral

SUPERIOR -- For the first time in two years, the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates was held at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior. Fr. Gabriel Baltes, OSB, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, who organized the Feb. 13 service, said it is important to return this rite to the cathedral.

"It's the mother church of the diocese and it's a cathedral rite," Baltes said. "There are certain liturgies, by their very nature and integrity, which belong to that cathedral space. It's the bishop's church; his chair is there."

Now that the restoration and enhancement is finished, this rite is the first of many that will return to the cathedral.

The same rite was taking place all across the United States, on the first Sunday of Lent.

Baltes said this particular rite is important to the Catholic Church. "It's the moment when those who have asked to be baptized or brought into the faith are formally presented to the bishop," he said. "It's the bishop's role as the shepherd of the diocese to oversee the initiation of those brought into the church. It's their first formal contact with him."

Sponsors, priests, women religious, deacons and supporters from many parishes in the diocese made the trip to Superior. Those from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Medford even came by chartered bus.

"The sponsors and pastors verify that these people have done what's required of them for admission into the church," Baltes said. During the rite, they stood as witnesses that those seeking full initiation into the church are qualified to do so.

Fliss officially welcomed those looking to enter the Catholic faith during the service. "Ultimately, it's God who selects these candidates and the bishop represents God's initiative," Baltes said. "It's the moment when the whole local church comes together to see all those who will be initiated in their individual churches."

Sr. Bernadette Kalscheur, SSSF, pastoral minister in charge of RCIA at St. Patrick Parish in Hudson, said in a telephone interview prior to the day, that 11 adults and six children from her parish were participating in the rite.

Kalscheur said she is always impressed with the service. "I think it's the part of the ritual, where the catechumens are now going to be called the elect, that is special," Kalscheur said. "They've chosen to become Catholic and they're very sincere about it. It's a big step for them."

By participating in this day people get to see the bishop and the cathedral.

"The cathedral is the mother church of the diocese and I think people are amazed to see all the people," Kalscheur said. "It's amazing when we hear the numbers of all the people becoming Catholic in the United States. Our diocese is a small part of a larger picture."

In his homily, the bishop said new elements were added in this restoration and enhancement of the cathedral. Among them are three mosaics -- one of Christ, one of Mary and one of St. Augustine of Hippo, the patron of the Diocese of Superior. "He is the patron of all the Catholic Church of northern Wisconsin, some 112 parishes in 16 counties," Fliss said.

Augustine was not only credited with being one of the great architects of western thought, but he also left his mark on Christian doctrine. "He was a sinner, turned saint," Fliss said.

It was Augustine's mother, St. Monica, who prayed for her son's Christian conversion. After much soul searching, Augustine began a long process of preparation. "He began the final stages leading up to his baptism during the Easter Vigil. The same journey has been taking place in your lives," said Fliss, to the catechumens and candidates.

The bishop told them that the entire Catholic Church was praying for them. "We all walk with you," Fliss said.

Reviewing tragic events of history, including the Holocaust of World War II, Fliss said there were people who did not give up hope and followed Christ. "They were people like you who made up their minds and hearts to become better people and to help make this world a better place," he said.

Following the homily, catechumens were officially received by the bishop and their desire to become Catholic affirmed by their sponsors and the assembly. The catechumens then signed their names to the Book of Elect. There are some 26 catechumens, now called the elect, 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 80 candidates will be confirmed in their Catholic faith at churches across the diocese.

Richard Abernathy, of St. Mary Parish in Bruce, was among the candidates who answered this call. "I don't know what led me astray, but now I am home with my new Christian family," Abernathy said.

He was surprised at all the people desiring to enter the Catholic Church. "I was very impressed," Abernathy said. "The church has become an extended family for me."

The rite, Baltes said, serves as a time for all Catholics to officially welcome and be supportive of the elect and candidates. Those who are already Catholic are called to model the Christian life for those wanting to enter the faith.

"It's right that the whole community comes together to stand with the bishop in accepting them," he said. "As the people model the Christian life, they're also reminded that there are new members coming to the community."

Following the rite, Fliss took time to greet the newly elect and the candidates.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005