By Paula Day

Singing “Here I am Lord…I have heard your calling…” 749 people took the second step Feb. 28 in their journey toward Easter and full membership in the Catholic Church.

Monsignor Edward Dillon officiated at the Rite of Election held in the Georgia World Congress Center ballroom. Two hundred and eight catechumens and 541 candidates from 55 parishes, mission and campus centers throughout the archdiocese were supported by family, friends and sponsors at the ceremony.

“During this final time you will be encouraged to follow Christ with greater generosity and fervor,” the administrator of the archdiocese told the elect. “During this time, all your brothers and sisters in the Church will pray for you and encourage you as you continue to explore the meaning of Christ’s presence in the sacraments, as well as your membership in His one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

Part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the Rite of Election ceremony has been perfected by archdiocesan leaders, making it manageable in spite of the large numbers. Each parish RCIA director called the catechumens and candidates by name, presenting them to the assembled community. The directors then placed the Books of Elect containing their names on an altar erected in the ballroom. Catechumens will receive baptism and the other sacraments of initiation at Easter, while candidates are already baptized.

Two years ago, Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, initiated having the Rite of Election in a civic building to accommodate the numbers. In previous years, the rite had been held on two separate Sundays in the Cathedral of Christ the King.

By 2:30 p.m. the ballroom was filled with delegations from parishes, missions and campus centers seated in designated places representing the geographic quadrants of the archdiocese. The choir, assembled from parishes throughout the archdiocese, presented a choral prelude and accompanied the congregational singing during the ceremony which began at 3 p.m.

Alan Brown of St. Jude’s parish directed the choir; Janis Griffin of Our Lady of Lourdes led the singing. Connie Sambrone of St. Anthony’s parish read the scriptural passage from the prophet Jeremiah. Deacons Richard Beckman and Evelio Garcia-Carreras assisted Monsignor Dillon.

In his homily the administrator reminded the elect that the liturgical solemnity fit the importance of the occasion. They would remember the day's events, he said, as the time of their “passing from the stormy sea of sometimes indeterminate belief into the church of the elect and the harbor of God’s grace.”

“In the profession of faith which is implicit in these Rites of Initiation,” Monsignor Dillon said, “we accept God’s charge as He says to each one of us, ‘I chose you before I gave you life and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.’”

“Each of us has our story to tell, our own life saga, our own catalogue of events and persons, and yet, miraculously, we have been brought to this place together today to speak that word of faith which makes us one.

“This promise of faith, this promise of conversion must be the outward expressions of a deeper spiritual ground,” Monsignor Dillon continued. “It is the bare and simple ground of the self that we seek to reveal during this special time of penance and reformation which is Lent…we now are called to return to that bare and simple ground within the heart of each of us, that place where decisions are really debated and settled…Lent is our time to journey far within ourselves into the meaning of life and the mystery of God…”

The diversity of backgrounds was evident in the gathering from one parish, Prince of Peace in Buford, which has three catechumens and four candidates preparing for the Easter celebration.

Debra Spencer, recently a new mother, was not able to attend the Rite of Election. In a telephone interview the 24-year-old single parent spoke of deciding to participate in the RCIA last fall.

”The more I went, the more comfortable I felt. Prince of Peace is a wonderful community. I never felt looked down upon. I always felt welcomed,” she said. Searching for some time, she felt “that need and desire brought me closer. I feel comfortable about what I’ve learned. It’s the greatest thing for me. The baby and I will be baptized at the same time.” She credits Catholic friends with providing her with the right information and putting her in touch with the right people during her pregnancy. “I feel very, very blessed,” she added.

Another catechumen, Crystal Pint, has two small children and wants the support and structure of a church community and teaching in raising them. Her husband’s Catholic faith seemed to answer this need. “I’m ready. It’s exciting,” she said.

Candidate Brenda Robins has been married to Kenneth Robbins for 27 years. She had been baptized a Baptist; he is a Catholic. They attended the Episcopal church for several years, but when Robbins returned to the Catholic Church a year ago, Mrs. Robbins decided to enter the RCIA process.

“I felt so wonderful,” she said, “I’ve been married all this time. It’s been a long, slow road. I think I’m finally home at last.”

The first part of the RCIA process if a freewheeling inquiry period called the precatechumenate. Intended as a time for getting acquainted, the group builds community and brings to the surface expectations and possible problems. It is typically known as a period of transformation.

To bring closure to this inquiry period, parishes will formally accept and welcome the catechumens and candidates in a ceremony during a celebration of Mass.

The catechumenate follows, during which those in the process begin to examine the nuts and bolts of what it means to be a Catholic. They deepen their initial conversion and using the Lectionary as a basis for catechesis, reflect on the sacraments, Scripture, Catholic tradition and history.

Before taking the second step involved in the Rite of Election, the catechumens and candidates make a conscious decision to continue their pilgrimage to Easter and full communion with the Catholic Church.

“They come to the realization this is not all there is,” commented Ruth Jones. “It’s an on-going process,” the director of RCIA at Prince of Peace said. “I’m still learning. I’m experiencing conversion and new knowledge right along with them. I began helping in RCIA four years ago and only now am I beginning to understand what it’s all about. It’s a way of life.”