Responding to God’s Call: The Rite of Accepting and Welcoming

During this Sunday’s 10:00 am liturgy, 2 adults and 1 child are participating in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). They will publicly declare their intention to seek baptism or full communion with the Catholic Church. One will be received as catechumens, preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter. Two are already baptized and will be accepted as candidates who are looking to complete their initiation sacraments. 
 
Their declared intention to seek baptism or to come to full communion with the Catholic Church completes the first phase of the initiation process and celebrates one of its rites: The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and Welcome of the Baptized as Candidates for Confirmation and Eucharist. 
 
In the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome, Father Mike will ask the assembled congregation if, on behalf of the total faith community of St Hubert, they would welcome these catechumens and candidates in the community, accompanying them in prayer and nurturing their faith. The assembly will respond with a hearty, “We will”
 
Each week, the AMI and CMI members join us at liturgy to be fed at the Table of God’s Word. After the homily they are sent forth to explore further the meaning of the scriptural readings in their lives. An AMI or CMI team member facilitates their “Breaking Open the Word,” inviting them to share their understandings and to hear the Word as it is addressed to them today.
 
It is in the light of that deepened encounter with Jesus that the candidates and catechumens will celebrate the fullness of their initiation into Christ and His Body and come to join us at the Eucharistic table.  We send them forth to reflect and grow.
 
Their being sent forth can prompt our own reflection on the gift Jesus makes of himself to us in our lives, the gift we celebrated at Eucharist. In addition, they will continue to gather on Tuesday evenings or Sunday morning for a catechetical session. These sessions are not only about passing on information but also about enlivening their faith. At these catechetical sessions they will hear a variety of presentations that will energize and challenge their minds, hearts and spirits.  
 
The public declaration of faith by those seeking admission to our community can be a powerful support to our own faith. They remind us to probe anew and so welcome and accept more deeply in our own lives, “the immeasurable riches of grace in God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
 
Please continue to pray for them.
 
Photos and bios are coming soon.