St. Paul to send 11 to Bishop for Rite of Election

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the norm by which adults enter the Catholic Church.

The First Sunday of Lent, February 10, will be a big day for 11 in the RCIA program at St. Paul.

First will come what is called “The Rite of Sending” by the Parish at the 9 a.m. Mass,
The Rite of Sending is the way the Parish celebrates the candidates’ upcoming election and sending them on to the bishop for their admission to the final period of preparation for the sacraments. The Catechumens ask that they be recognized for the progress they have made and receive the blessings and prayers of the parish as they go forth to the “Rite of Election.”

Bishop Richard J. Lennon will preside at the “Rite of Election” at 2 p.m. at Public Hall in Cleveland. The gathering is too large for the Cathedral.

“The Rite of Election” is celebrated on the same day at all Dioceses in the world. Those wishing to be Baptized or Received in to Full Communion of the Catholic Church come together to officially enter their names in the "Book of the Elect," which signifies their intention to be initiated at the Easter Vigil. The Bishop joyfully welcomes those to be baptized as children of God, as well as those who have already been baptized but seek full communion of the Catholic Church.

Being welcomed from St. Paul are Velynda Dort, Andrew Hackett, Joyce McIntyre, Brenda Montandon., Shelly Parker, Jennifer Schweitzer, April Vavro, Anita Vavro, Matthew Vavro, James Zuravel and David Zurzola.

“The RCIA is a journey of conversion for the person participating in the initiation process, and by extension it can be a journey of conversion for the whole parish,” said Deacon Frank Lonteen who meets weekly with RCIA candidates. “Conversion happens if the parish fully embraces the process of initiation and walks the journey of faith with the candidates for initiation.”