February 18, 2018

One step closer for those seeking full communion with Catholic Church

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

SPRINGFIELD – Hundreds gathered at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield on Sunday, Feb. 18, for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. For Jacob Bartelson, it’s a day he’s been looking forward to for a long time.

“I wanted to do this because my late grandmother, Gail Bradshaw, she inspired me to do this. Since I was a little boy, she used to bring me to Mass. She’s one of the greatest inspirations I have,” said the 14-year-old, who attends Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield.

Bartelson was never baptized and no one else in his family is Catholic. The teen has faced incredible heartache and challenges at a young age. He lost both of his parents when he was a little boy. He’s being raised by his grandfather, who is currently battling an illness. He said his grandfather and uncles have been very supportive.

“My grandfather was very surprised. He’s an Evangelical Christian. They were surprised, but accepting as well,” said Bartelson, who attended the rite with his uncle.

One-hundred-seventeen people enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) were in attendance. They will complete the sacraments of initiation, which include baptism, first Communion and confirmation, during the Easter Vigil at their home parishes, Saturday, March 31.

“This is a step along in the process of initiation into the church for the catechumens and also a recognition of the continuing conversion of the candidates,” said Gina Czerwinski, director of catechetics and youth formation for the Diocese of Springfield.

The Rite of Election is for catechumens, who were never baptized. During the ceremony, Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski called them forward, along with their godparents, asking them if they “wish to enter fully into the life of the church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.”

Then the catechumens came forward to sign their name in the Book of the Elect. The catechumens are now called members of the elect.

Next, in the celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion, the bishop called the candidates forward. Candidates are those who have been baptized Catholic or in another Christian denomination. They too will complete their sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.

“It’s very exciting. It’s a sign for us as the people of God that God is still working in the world today,” said Czerwinski.

Jean Garcia, was baptized Catholic, but never made his first Communion or confirmation.

“I’m very excited to do this. Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to do it, but something always got in the way. Now it’s my chance,” said Garcia. He said he and his wife, Linette, are raising their children Catholic and attend Blessed Sacrament and All Souls Parish in Springfield.

“Since I was born, I believed in Jesus Christ. And everything I do, I always thank him. I say, ‘Thank you for the good and thank you for the bad.’ I always have him in my heart,” Garcia continued.

Leida Cartagena, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Holyoke, was baptized and made her first Communion, but was never confirmed.

“This is exciting. This is amazing,” said Cartagena. “Just going through the classes and having fellowship with other students at this age has been really helpful for me. It’s really empowering.”

During his homily, Bishop Rozanski praised the elect and candidates for their witness.

“It is so important to celebrate this rite with you and ask God to give you the graces you need over these next weeks of Lent, so that in truly responding to the Lord Jesus’ call, you will also bring a greater goodness to the rest of the church,” the bishop said.

Light refreshments were served at the Bishop Marshall Center at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Watch for a video version of this story on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly TV news magazine that airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22News.