RCIA-ROUNDUP Apr-22-2011 - Dioceses around US welcome new Catholics at Easter [Catholic Caucus]

RCIA-ROUNDUP Apr-22-2011

Dioceses around US welcome new Catholics at Easter

By Catholic News Service

FORESTVILLE, Md. (CNS) -- Five days before the Easter Vigil, siblings Isaac, Olivia, Rosette and Adejia Gray were a little nervous as they talked about becoming Catholic.

"There's going to be a big crowd," said seventh-grader Adejia. Her younger second-grade sibling Isaac nodded.

Sixth grader-Rosette said, "Everybody's going to be staring at you."

"I forget the position of the hands," said third-grader Olivia, about how to receive her first Communion.

"You don't worry about a thing. You stick with Father," said Father Everett Pearson as he reassured them. "I have the hard part," added the pastor of Mount Calvary Parish in the Washington suburb of Forestville.

Despite their nervousness, the four children were excited about joining the church along with seven other people at Mount Calvary April 23.

They were among tens of thousands around the country entering the Catholic Church at Easter. Many were catechumens, or people not yet baptized, who were receiving the sacraments of initiation -- baptism, confirmation and first Communion. Others were candidates, who were already baptized Christians but entering full communion with the church by receiving confirmation and first Communion.

In California, the Diocese of Orange, Calif., was receiving more than 800 new Catholics during the Easter Vigil celebrated by Bishop Tod D. Brown at Holy Family Cathedral. "It is inspiring as a bishop to welcome a record number of new Catholics into our church," he said. "This ceremony is the climax of the liturgical year and serves as a tangible display of the growth an vibrancy of Catholicism in Orange County."

Nearly 800 people were set to enter the church in the Baltimore Archdiocese.

Among the new Catholics around the United States were: Jose Pujols, a young adult raised in communist Cuba and one of the 148 joining the church in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.; Ahdija Cheumbike Baker, who was raised as a Muslim and one of 282 catechumens and candidates in New Orleans; and 18-year-old Marine Kalene Laforest, one of more than 1,900 new Catholics in the Atlanta Archdiocese. She said she felt a strong urge to join the church before going on assignment in June.

In the Diocese Austin, Texas, Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director in that state who has become pro-life, was becoming a Catholic.

In the Diocese of Springfield, Mass., a trio of 11th graders at St. Mary High School in Westfield inspired a community when they were preparing to enter the church.

Juniors in high school have a lot on their minds. They are thinking about college or work plans and what they want to be when they "grow up." However, Ashley Phaneuf, Drew Malloy and Trevor Oski were pondering deeper questions, so they joined the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at St. Mary Parish.

"I have been a priest for 18 years and I've never seen anything like it. For me, it's been a really great encouragement," said Father Brian F. McGrath, pastor. "This has been an awesome experience. They're three great kids. They are a tremendous benefit to the school and to the parish. And to know that they're seeking the faith has been truly a blessing to me and to everybody."

Ashley and Drew were being baptized, confirmed and making their first Communion. Trevor, who was baptized in the Episcopal faith, was being confirmed and making his first Communion.

"I never really thought about being Catholic until I came to St. Mary's," said Ashley. Her father is Catholic and her mother is Protestant, "but they chose not to bring me up with anything." However, they also chose St. Mary's for her high school education. Since enrolling in the small, Catholic school, Ashley has become interested in the faith.

"The people are really nice and the religion itself interests me. I believe it all and I think the story about Jesus is amazing. And the people in RCIA are all welcoming," she said.

"Theology classes for the past two years were very interesting to me and I always felt at peace going to church," said Drew, who noted he came to St. Mary's with no religious background. He decided to "see what the Catholic faith was about."

Asked why he chose to become Catholic, Trevor said: "It was just every time I went into the church it just felt like that was where I was supposed to be -- in the Catholic Church. It just really called to me. I just felt pulled into it and I just love being there."

In Green Bay, Wis., Luis Daniel Garcia said he owed his first Communion and confirmation at Easter in part to the example of a long-lost high school sweetheart.

"I came to know God through Maria," said Garcia, 37.

Maria Torres, 30, is now Luis' fiance. The two were boyfriend and girlfriend for several years as teenagers while growing up in Puerto Rico. However, they grew apart but both ended up in the United States. Thanks to the social networking website, MySpace, the two were reconnected in 2008.

Torres moved to Green Bay from Connecticut in the summer of 2008 to see if their relationship would work. It has -- they are to be married May 7 at their parish church, St. Willebrord.

Torres began asking Garcia to go to church with her because she didn't like going alone. Garcia had been baptized as an infant but his family never went to Mass.

They both found St. Willebrord to be a welcoming and warm community. "It felt like a family from the start," Garcia said. When the couple approached Norbertine Father Ken DeGroot, pastor, about their interest in getting married, it was the priest who suggested that Garcia should be first confirmed and make his first Communion. Garcia began receiving individual instruction; his work schedule didn't allow him to take regularly scheduled RCIA classes.

"We are looking forward to having a family and doing things right this time in the eyes of God," he added.

In the Archdiocese of Portland, after a Mass at St. Alexander Parish in Cornelius, Ore., celebrated some weeks before Easter, Deacon Jesus Espinoza watched fondly over a group of children preparing to join the church.

"These are lovely people," the deacon said, gesturing toward the youngsters and their parents. "They bring freshness to the church."

- - -

Contributing to this story were Anna Weaver in Washington, Peggy Weber in Springfield, Eddie O'Neill in Green Bay and Ed Langlois in Portland

Welcome home, everyone!

1 posted on 04/23/2011 8:52:34 AM PDT by Salvation

To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...

If these people are in your area, be part of the welcoming committee Ping!

2 posted on 04/23/2011 8:54:27 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Going to the practice for the candidate for which I am a sponsor. Talk with you all later.

3 posted on 04/23/2011 8:56:02 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

As of last night: 2 adults to be baptized. 3 adults, baptized in the Catholic Church as children and 15 baptized in other communions to be confirmed. Total 20 confirmed Catholics by tomorrow morning, D.V.

I gave a miraculous medal to the confirmand I am sponsoring and another to a young lady who is going to respond to the command of her Presbyterian congregation to explain why she is becoming Catholic and to be formally read out of her congregation or disfellowshipped or whatever. She has been studying since October in order not only to be well prepared for her confirmation but to evangelize her now former(she was received and made her profession on Wed) congregation.

4 posted on 04/23/2011 9:24:31 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)

We have 6 baptisms tonight, my wife (who swam the Tiber 5 years ago) is sponsoring our neice-in-law, and 3 confirmations.

Blessings abound.

5 posted on 04/23/2011 10:13:51 AM PDT by reagandemocrat

To: reagandemocrat

I am not saying that A-word until Ican say it in my father’s house with my brethren -=- in a few hours.

Please just consider it said, and said enthusiastically!

6 posted on 04/23/2011 11:51:53 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)

Yes, we are sponsors also. Tonight’s the night. There are a Hindu woman and a Moslem women in our RCIA, among others. And a Jew — she won’t enter until next Easter, but she loves the Church.

7 posted on 04/23/2011 4:09:46 PM PDT by bboop (Stealth Tutor)

Dear Mad Dawg, The dear young lady is being read out of her Presbyterian congregation...well if I was considering becoming a Presbyterian (which I most certainly am not..) finding that out would be enough to make be stop in my tracks...what a sorry excuse for a Christian attitude...I think there’s something in the Bible about shaking the dust off your feet and leaving a bad situation...Tell your young lady that she has made the right decision and will never regret becoming Catholic. God bless you both.

Ragmop

8 posted on 04/23/2011 4:16:18 PM PDT by ragmop

Just got back from Easter Vigil Mass. Someone who works for me was received into the Church.

9 posted on 04/23/2011 8:36:31 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)

You know, I used to be a clergy-D00d. I was thinking tonight about how I would like to have the chance to have an “exit-interview”with everyone who left the Episcopal Church. But I would make sure to close it, NOT with a disfellowshipping but with a statement of regret for our failures and of prayerful hope that we would all one day be reconciled by Him who entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation,and with an promise to be available to help in whatever way we could.

10 posted on 04/23/2011 10:37:46 PM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)

11 posted on 04/24/2011 3:57:35 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Our parish had twelve, six of whom were also baptized. One was a 14 yr old girl. Her brother went through RCIA, at 16, last year. He was her sponsor this year.

Beautiful service.

12 posted on 04/24/2011 10:02:20 PM PDT by Twink

13 posted on 04/25/2011 6:10:04 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)

We had 37 join and 19 were baptized Saturday night Easter Vigil. It is amazing how many come to our parish here in Tucson, AZ. Twicw a year we see about the same numbers plus the Alienated Catholics program brings catholics back to the church. We had 9 Masses yesterday. This is not a huge parish mind you, put an active in God’s love and works. I substitute at the attached catholic school and I love the students from 1-8 grade pray out loud unabashed in class in the morning, befoe lunch and the end of the day. Some classes say a decade of the Rosary, most have prayer intentions, Wednesday School Mass where they are the lectors, psalmists, and choirs. So much more than public schools.

14 posted on 04/25/2011 10:59:51 AM PDT by Citizen Soldier ("You care far too much what is written and said about you." Axelrod to Obama 2006)

To: Citizen Soldier

Shaken down! Pressed together! Running over!

How glorious is our God who draws so many into his embrace and suckles them there with the Sacred Body and Precious Blood, with the delights at his right hand!

NINE MASSES! Counting the vigil, we had 5.

I would like to learn — or to be referred to where I can learn, about your “Alienated Catholics” program. We are contemplating a big campaign starting in about 9 months to a year. We’re in early planning and all advice is welcome.

15 posted on 04/25/2011 5:21:03 PM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)

To: Citizen Soldier

Overflowing joy! Great news!

16 posted on 04/25/2011 5:37:59 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

To: Citizen Soldier

If I had it to do over again, I would put all five of our children in Catholic School.

How wonderful that sounds.

17 posted on 04/25/2011 5:39:56 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

I just freep mailed you info

18 posted on 04/27/2011 10:59:39 AM PDT by Citizen Soldier ("You care far too much what is written and said about you." Axelrod to Obama 2006)

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