One step closer to full membership

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Feb. 14, 2008

Nine-year-old Ashlee Jordan admitted she was a little nervous as she walked up the three steps on  her way to the altar at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. As a catechumen, an unbaptized person in formation to join the Catholic Church, she was there to sign the Book of the Elect.

"I will be baptized, have Communion and confirmation on the same day," she explained.

After signing the Book of the Elect, Ashlee greeted Bishop R. Walker Nickless before she and her godparent took their place in the sanctuary with the other catechumens for the Rite of the Election.

The Rite of the Election and Call to Continuing Conversion were held Feb. 10 at St. Mary's Church in Storm Lake and the Cathedral in Sioux City. During this ceremony, the catechumens and candidates - those who have been baptized and now seek full communion with the Catholic Church - bear witness to their commitment to Christ and the Catholic Church.

Twenty catechumens celebrated a step closer to their baptism and 54 candidates from 12 parishes moved toward full initiation into the Catholic Church during the ceremony held in Storm Lake. In Sioux City, 11 catechumens were elected and 42 candidates were called from 17 parishes.

Another catechumen at the Sioux City service was Robin Hass, who will soon become a full member of Blessed Sacrament Church.

"I didn't really know what to expect - I had never been to one of these before," noted Hass.

With this step, Hass said she is getting excited for the Easter Vigil.

After the Scripture readings - Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11 - Bishop Nickless pointed out that parishes throughout the world were holding similar ceremonies.

"For those of you who are preparing for baptism in our church, you are entering your final and in many ways most critical period of your formation," explained the bishop. "This period of time is one of purification and enlightenment."

He pointed out that they would undergo many rites and ceremonies in their own parishes.

"You have already experienced the initial call of God to change your way of life and deepen your spirituality," said Bishop Nickless. "You decided to become Christian and to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You desire to enter fully into the sacrament of life of the Roman Catholic Church."

They would soon, he noted, promise to live the rest of their lives following Christ, loving their brothers and sisters and becoming saints in order to spend eternity in heaven.

Bishop Nickless explained, "Something has happened today. You are now called the elect - chosen by God, elected by the church for baptism at Easter." Along with baptism, the elect will receive the sacraments of Communion and confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

"There is another group here as well, those of you already baptized in another religious tradition," he said. "You have been baptized Christians, but somehow God is calling you as well. You have heard a call from the Lord - not to abandon your roots - but to more deeply develop your understanding of Christianity. God is calling you to become Catholic."

The bishop told them that they would soon receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Later, at the Easter Vigil, they will receive the sacrament of confirmation, the "outpouring of the Holy Spirit filled with the seven gifts - to enable you to witness Jesus Christ in our world." At the vigil, they will also receive "the most important sacrament of our lives - the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ."

Bishop Nickless then directed his homily to the readings. Referring to Genesis, he said that the first sin of man was a sin of pride. They wanted power and control - to be like God.

"When they accepted the invitation of the devil, they got a lot more than they anticipated," he said. "As a consequence of their sin, so much changed."

Each person's story is much the same, noted the bishop, who said people are tempted; they fall and then suffer the consequences.

Bishop Nickless reminded the people, however, that Lent is not just about reflecting on sinfulness, it is a time to remember the power all people have to choose not to sin.

"We hear about Jesus in the Gospel today and see how he dealt with temptation and sin," said the bishop. "He realized that he had the power to overcome the devil and sin."

Lent, he added, was a time of realization - realizing what it means to be a Christian, realizing that it was a time to be selfless and to do God's will and realizing how much God loves his people.

Following the homily, a representative from each church called the catechumens forward for the Rite of Election. The unbaptized signed the Book of the Elect before greeting the bishop and taking their place in the sanctuary with their godparents.

Bishop Nickless questioned the godparents regarding the catechumens readiness for joining the church. The bishop then addressed the catechumens, asking them if they wished to enter fully in the life of the church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. The Book of Elect was then presented to the bishop.

Candidates for full initiation were called forward with their sponsors during the celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion. The sponsors and general assembly gave affirmation of the candidates to the bishop before he asked them if they wished to continue the process of conversion - to enter fully into the life of the church through the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist.

"My friends, the church recognizes your desire to be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and to have a place at Christ's table. Join with us this Lent in a spirit of repentance. Hear the Lords' call to conversion and be faithful to your baptismal covenant," prayed the bishop.

The ceremony closed with Bishop Nickless petitioning God to guide the chosen ones.