Seven Candidates Prepare to Enter Church

By Greg Morelli
Chairman, RCIA

As the journey begins for some and continues for many, I reflect on how the Holy Spirit has touched so many lives through the RCIA. This year seven adults will be giving witness to Jesus in their lives through the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. With a strong RICA team and family and friends supporting these candidates we all look forward to a joyous celebration of faith on April 10.

On January 18, the candidates celebrated the first Rite of their initiation – the Rite of Acceptance. At this Rite they declared their intention to the Church - asking for faith and eternal life - and the Church accepted them as a person who intends to become a member by living their life according to the teachings of Jesus. On February 29 they will go before Bishop Reilly at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Rite of Election. At this rite the Church formally ratifies their readiness for the sacraments of initiation and they express the will to receive these sacraments. We will be attending Mass on a regular basis so please offer your support and get to know the candidates – they are truly examples of Christ in our lives.

This year has seen many new faces besides the Candidates. We have had guest speakers for What Makes the Catholic Church Catholic, The Role of Mary and Celebrating the Mass. We have also been blessed with Deacon Ed Meilus presenting and sharing in our collective faith formation. He joins us not only as a parishioner but also as part of our clustering efforts with St. Mary of the Hills in Boylston (his assigned parish) and St. Anne’s here in Shrewsbury.