We are at the beginning of the most sacred times of the liturgical year, Holy Week, when we commemorate in a definitive way, the Paschal Mystery, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Because of the pandemic, our movements and presence in the faith community are restricted and limited. Yet, we are not hindered. In spite of all, we will always remember and celebrate the redemptive passion of Jesus that affords all of us eternal life. What we believe as people of faith and live today we invite, offer and share with others. 

 

Unlike previous years with this pandemic, we are restricted from fully participating and celebrating the Triduum. Yet, through the grace of God, we still will have the opportunity to share the gift of our faith with 53 adults and 2 small children later during the Easter Season when all of the restrictions imposed on us are lifted. The following will recap for us this journey of faith of our elect and candidates during this year.

 

The RCIA, both English and Spanish, has been preparing candidates since June 2019 to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The candidates in our parish, both adults and children, have spent the year learning about the pillars of the Catholic Church (Creed, Sacraments, Prayer, and Christian Morality) and deepening their faith. They have faithfully attended classes every week. They have participated in the Rites of the RCIA process, beginning with the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming in September, the Rite of Sending and Election on the First Sunday of Lent, and the Penitential Rite on the Second Sunday of Lent. Then, all worship and gatherings were interrupted due to the pandemic, but not ended.

 

In these trying time, Pope Francis has inspired us with his prayer, meditation and blessing in Urbi et Orbi, given on  Friday, March 20th on the steps of St. Basilica in Rome ( https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/urbi-et-orbi-pope-coronavirus-prayer-blessing.html). He equates these times with the scene from Mark 4:35-41, “the calming of the storm at Sea.” We, as the people of God, are all in the boat with the disciples and Jesus. Jesus calms the storm and he asks what Pope Francis exhorts us: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Pope Francis reminds us to invite Jesus into the boats of our lives, which includes the pains and sufferings of the modern times. Jesus calmed that storm and he is present to calm even what is happening today. 

 

Being of good courage and hope, we continue to support these individuals in their faith during these difficult times. Their godparents and sponsors are present in their lives to be models of people with faith. These past few weeks have been filled with countless opportunities to see how God is working in our lives, how God is working in people, and how important faith, prayer, and community are in times of uncertainty and fear. During the Rite of Sending and Penitential Rite, the parishioners at the 11AM Mass joined together to pray for candidates and the elect.

 

Although parishioners at the 4:00 PM Mass on March 14, the First Scrutiny; then parishioners at the 8:00 AM Mass on March 22, the Second Scrutiny; and parishioners at the 9:30 AM Mass on March 29, the Third Scrutiny did not have the opportunity to pray for the Elect, we now ask that you keep both the Elect and the candidates in your prayers. We implore you to pray that their faith will not waiver, but be strengthened. We intreat you to pray that their hearts will not despair, but are set aflame, and that their sufferings will open their eyes to the glory of God.

 

Much like the Elect and the candidates, we are in the boat with Jesus waiting for him to calm the storm. We are waiting to be reunited with God in his holy Church. Our souls long for and hunger to receive the body and blood of Jesus, the Word made flesh, through the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We pray for the day that we return to the house of God and thank him for never failing us, never leaving us, and always being our light in the darkness and help in the storms of our lives.

 

Nicole Calaro                      Deacon Ronald & Mrs. Catherine Ealey

Coordinator, RCIA                Staff, RCIA
 

Names of RCIA Candidates and Elect