Hundreds gather with Bishop O’Connell for DYC, Rite of Election

About 450 teens and volunteers joined scores of parishioners for Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to cap the 2017 Diocesan Youth Conference March 4 in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.

The day-long event for youth in grades nine through 12 also included presentations by Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Agustino Torres and DJ Bernal of the Texas-based nonprofit Modern Teen Ministries, as well as opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, led by Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Sebastian Kajko. Breakout sessions also were given by the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
 
You can read more about the 2017 Diocesan Youth Conference in this story from The Monitor, and watch Bishop O’Connell’s homily from the DYC, here.
   
Some 197 men and women from throughout the Diocese who are preparing to join the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, marked a significant milestone March 5. They, along with their godparents, families and friends, gathered with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the Rite of Election, a ceremony during which the Church formally acknowledges their readiness to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
 
Men, women and children participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults of various non-Christian faith and non-faith traditions, known as catechumens, declared their intention to become Catholic during the Rite of Election, over which Bishop O’Connell presided. Godparents gave testimony to the readiness and eligibility of the catechumens before the Bishop and assembled faithful of the Diocese.
 
Other men and women who are in the RCIA and will also make a significant step toward becoming Catholic are those who have been baptized as Catholic or in other Christian faith traditions. These individuals, referred to as candidates for full communion in the Church, will make a profession of faith, be received into the Church and complete their Sacraments of Initiation with the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and first Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
 
A special rite that is celebrated for these candidates on or near the First Sunday of Lent is referred to as the Call to Continuing Conversion. During this rite, those already baptized as Christians are called to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist during the Easter Vigil.
 
As of Feb. 22, the diocesan Department of Catechesis reported that there are 488 such candidates, 101 who are non-Catholic and 387 who have been baptized as Catholics.
 
You can read more about the Rite of Election in this story from The Monitor, and can watch Bishop O’Connell’s homily from the Rite of Election, here.