DEPARTMENT OF LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION NOTES AND PROCEDURES FOR 2019 LENTEN SEASON RITES AND EVENTS

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1 DEPARTMENT OF LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION NOTES AND PROCEDURES FOR 2019 LENTEN SEASON RITES AND EVENTS *Please read the notes and procedures for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion closely. The procedures are the same as last year, but please take time to familiarize yourself. THE PARISH RITE OF SENDING 1. The "Rite of Sending" is celebrated at a parish Mass, usually on the First Sunday of Lent (or Saturday vigil). There are three options for this celebration that recall the important distinction between the unbaptized (catechumens) and the baptized (candidates). a. When only catechumens (unbaptized) are present, the rite of Sending of the Catechumens for Election, is the appropriate form, which can be found in the RCIA ritual book #111. b. When only baptized candidates are present, utilize Part II, 4B in the ritual book: Rite of Sending the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop, which begins at #439. c. If both unbaptized (catechumens) and baptized candidates are present, the alternate combined rite, found in the ritual book at Appendix I, chapter 2, beginning at #537, is celebrated. d. An adaptation of the combined rite which allows sponsors (and others) to give personal testimony is included in this mailing. 2. Later that day at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion: The unbaptized (catechumens) will sign The Book of the Elect at St. Joseph Cathedral. The baptized (candidates) names are announced by either the pastor, catechumenate coordinator or another parish catechumenate team member. Prior to the Rite, inscribe the names of the baptized candidates on a scroll (included in this mailing, or one of your own making), and bring it to the Cathedral. Do not roll nor tie the scroll with a ribbon. PROCEDURES FOR THE RITE OF ELECTION 1. The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion can be found in the RCIA ritual book, Appendix 1, Chapter 3. Go over the meaning of "Election" - being called by God (for the unbaptized) - or being called to continuing conversion (for the baptized). Refer to the rite itself (paragraphs ). Please familiarize yourself with this rite so you can clearly give your people direction. Please go over the questions from the rite with your participants so they may respond with conviction. 1

2 2. The Diocesan Rite of Election begins at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at St. Joseph Cathedral. Please be present in advance. Pews will be reserved by parish for catechumens, godparents, candidates, sponsors, family and parish/team members. All seating will be arranged on a first registered - first pew reserved basis. If there are special needs (such as mobility concerns), kindly call in advance or indicate on your registration form. Signs in the pews will indicate reserved seating for your parish. Please notify the Dept. of Lifelong Faith Formation should your plans change and you are unable to attend. This will avoid a gap in the seating. If at the last minute you plan on attending and have not pre-registered, there will be a diocesan representative at each entrance of the Cathedral who will assist you in seating and making certain the name of your catechumen/candidate and parish is recorded. 3. Presentation of the Catechumens for Election: Following the homily, Bishop Malone will ask the catechumens and their godparents to stand as each catechumen s name is called. Bishop Malone will first ask the godparents followed by the assembly a series of questions attesting to the readiness of the catechumens. The godparents will respond, They have to each question. The integrity of the Rite of Election depends upon a serious discernment having taken place in advance of the Rite of Election, one which was witnessed to and accepted by the parish during the Rite of Sending, and now is affirmed by the godparent before the Bishop and this assembly. See Discernment of Readiness included in this mailing. 4. The Bishop will now ask the catechumens to offer their names for enrollment by signing the Book of the Elect. Together with his/her godparent each catechumen will come forward. Please follow the directions given by the ushers as they signal the catechumens and godparents to come forward. PLEASE NOTE: The godparent is to keep his/her right hand on the shoulder of the catechumen during the signing of the Book of the Elect. After signing of the Book of the Elect the catechumen and godparent return to the pew and are seated. After all have signed the book and have returned to their pews the Bishop then calls the catechumens to Election. 2

3 PROCEDURES FOR THE CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION One person who represents the parish (not a catechumen or candidate) is to be prepared to present the name of his/her parish and names of the candidates for continuing conversion which are inscribed on the scroll. This person is to carry the scroll forward at the appropriate time, and announce the names of those inscribed. After presenting the names, the scroll is then placed in a basket held by one of the ushers. As the candidate s name is called, the candidate and his or her sponsor stand and remain standing until ALL candidates for continuing conversion have been recognized. Upon returning to his/her seat the parish representative remains standing with the candidates and their sponsors for the Affirmations and the Act of Recognition. ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REMINDERS Coordinators, please be sure all catechumens and candidates are wearing a clearly visible name tag with lettering large enough for the Bishop to read their name and parish when he greets them. Coordinators are responsible to provide the name tags. Additional nametags will not be available at the Cathedral. Please be sure that your participants know whether they are catechumens or candidates! Please Note FACULTY TO CONFIRM: A written request to the Bishop seeking the faculty to confirm at the Easter Vigil is necessary (Canon #884.1) if you have someone who was baptized Catholic but never catechized. Note: a copy of the form for the Faculty to Confirm will be sent to the pastors the first week of Lent. 3

4 CHECKLIST [ ] Know your candidates and catechumens. Are they ready to make this step? (See Discernment of Readiness included in this mailing.) [ ] A person who has applied for an annulment must wait until the annulment is granted (affirmative decision received) in order to take part in the Rite of Sending, the Rite of Election or Call to Continuing Conversion. [ ] Any marriages in need of convalidation should be regularized as soon as possible and must be done before the Holy Triduum. [ ] Send "Rite of Election" registration form to the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation indicating any special needs by Wednesday, February 20, [ ] Go over procedures with your team, catechumens and candidates prior to the event. Make sure your participants know whether they are catechumens or candidates! [ ] Notify godparents and sponsors about procedures. [ ] Inscribe the names of the candidates for continuing conversion on the scroll and encourage witness/testimony on behalf of your candidates and catechumens at your Parish Rite of Sending. [ ] Appoint one person (preferably the pastor or catechumenate coordinator) representing your parish to present the names inscribed on the scroll at the Call to Continuing Conversion. (Not a candidate or elect). [ ] Prepare large printed name tags for each catechumen and candidate with name and parish. ADDITIONAL LENTEN AND MYSTAGOGY EVENTS RETREAT FOR THE ELECT AND CANDIDATES: Saturday, April 6, 2019, St. John Paul II, 2052 Lakeview Rd., Lake View, NY, A diocesan retreat is offered for your elect and candidates beginning with gathering and registration at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m. A registration form is included in this mailing. Please return it to the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation no later than Friday, March 22,

5 CHRISM MASS: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., St. Joseph Cathedral Oils used for anointing during Baptism and Confirmation will be blessed by the bishop during the Chrism Mass on Tuesday of Holy Week. After the blessing of these oils, the Elect will be called forth for a special blessing at a Rite of Dismissal. Those sent forth will reflect on the Chrism Mass scriptures with members of the Diocesan Catechumenate Board. Please note this Dismissal Rite is for the Elect (unbaptized) only. MYSTAGOGY MASS: Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 4:30 p.m., St. Joseph Cathedral The Mystagogy Mass will be celebrated with those who have been newly initiated into the sacramental life of the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This beautiful liturgy is special way for neophytes (the newly baptized) with their godparents, newly initiated candidates and sponsors, family and friends, catechumenate teams, and parish members to celebrate the new life of the Church together with Bishop Malone. All are welcome. 5