RITES OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
The first Sunday of Lent celebrated the Rite of Sending for our catechumens and candidates, to send them off to the cathedral for the Rite of Election and Recognition by the Bishop. These individuals are preparing for full initiation into the Catholic faith at our Rush Henrietta Catholic Community Easter Vigil. There are two catechumens (those to be baptized) and eight candidates (those already baptized) joining us from the Good Shepherd, Guardian Angels, and St. Joseph’s parishes.
The Rite of Sending, therefore, gives us, the parish community a greater opportunity to participate in these individuals election (for catechumens) or call to continuing conversion (candidates). They declare their intention to join the Catholic Church. We send them forward with our support and blessing to the cathedral, where they declare their intention to the bishop and the wider Church of the Diocese of Rochester. They are each greeted by the bishop with a handshake or hug. The catechumens will write their names in the book of the Elect. The book reminds us that God calls us each by name. This Rite enables these individuals to enter the cathedral as “Catechumens” and leave as the “Elect”.
Please pray for our Catechumens/Elect, Thomas Munson and Matthew Schlicht, and for our Candidates, Stephanie Anderson, Kevin Pazyck, Felix Damian,Fitzgerald, Ariel French, Anthony Munson, Brittany Kolich, and Carolyn Fitzgerald, and all those preparing for full initiation into our Catholic Faith.
