Six Chosen People
Six Chosen People Journey Towards Easter Last Sunday (18th February 2007) at 9.30am mass Steve Pickard presented Justin Nash, Kate Allan, Kerrie Davies, Michaela Keohane, Miranda Lyell and Kim Thomas
to the Parish community and these six people signed their names in the ‘Book
of the Elect’. This short, moving ceremony signified that they have been
chosen by God and our community to receive the Easter sacraments. Justin
will be baptised during the Easter Vigil, while Kate, Kerrie. Michaela, Miranda
and Kim will be received into full communion with us in the Catholic Church.
This Sunday (25th February 2007), their vocation will be sealed in the ‘Rite of Election’ celebrated
at Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Cormac.
On the 3rd, 4th and 5th weekends
of Lent we will be invited to offer our prayerful support to these six chosen
people during special Sunday masses, known as ‘scrutinies’. After we have
listened to stories from St John’s Gospel telling how Jesus offered living
water to the woman at the well, cured the man born blind and raised Lazarus
from the dead (The Readings for Year A), ‘the elect’ are called forward and
we all pray for them. The ‘scrutinies’ are meant to heal and strengthen not
only the elect but those who pray for them as well.
Although only Justin
is preparing for baptism we all look forward to renewing our baptism at the
Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday morning.
The scrutiny masses will be celebrated
at Maryland at 5pm on Saturday, 10th March, at the Church at 7pm on Sunday,
18th March and at 11.30am on Sunday, 25th March. The Year A Readings, following
St John’s Gospel, will be used at these masses.
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The Rite of Election
612 people asking to be received into the Catholic Church in the Diocese
of Westminster have been welcomed at Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Cormac
Murphy-O’Connor to celebrate the Rite of Election, which took place on Sunday
18th and 25th February.
They were accompanied by their godparents and sponsors, their catechists and priests, and their families and friends.
The celebration of the Rite of Election takes place in advance of reception
of the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – which
will occur at Easter in churches throughout the Diocese.
The catechumens – those preparing for baptism - became the ‘elect’, those
‘chosen’ for baptism at the Easter Vigil, and the candidates - those already
baptised and now preparing to complete their initiation by receiving the
sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist – were welcomed and encouraged on
their journey.
Anthony Curran, of the Diocese of Westminster Agency for Evangelisation,
commented: “The Rite of Election is always a magnificent occasion and this
year the sense of excitement was witness to the joy of the moment. The tremendous
support given by godparents and sponsors, catechists and priests, and families
and friends brought home to catechumens and candidates that they do not travel
alone on their journey.”
The whole diocese is asked to pray for the Elect and the Candidates, especially
as they begin their period of final preparation for the celebration of the
Sacraments:
“God of love and power, it is your will to establish everything in Christ
and to draw us into his all-embracing love. Guide these chosen brothers and
sisters of ours, strengthen them in their vocation, build them into the kingdom
of your Son, and seal them with the Spirit of your promise.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord,, Amen"
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