Bishop Keehner elects 65 catechumens for Easter sacraments

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Gathered for the Rite of Election held Feb. 22, 65 catechumens – unbaptized seeking to become members of the Catholic Church – were reminded that while they chose to take the necessary steps to join the faith, it was God who first chose them.

Bishop John E. Keehner was celebrant and homilist for the rite celebrated for catechumens from parishes throughout the diocese.

“Today you have come to this Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese of Sioux City, guided, I dare say, by the Holy Spirit, in order to proclaim your desire to enter into the mystery of the life, the death and resurrection of Jesus through the waters of baptism,” he told the catechumens during his homily. “And as your bishop, I choose you. In the name of Jesus Christ, I choose you.”

Bishop Keehner pointed out that he chose them – elected them - on behalf of God the Father, who invites them to become his children by adoption through baptism; in the name of Jesus, who will continue to nourish them through the Eucharist; and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who will shower them with gifts to strengthen their faith and avoid temptations.

“I elect you so that you can, indeed, prepare more closely for the celebration of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil in six short weeks,” the bishop said.

The rite
Following the Liturgy of the Word and the homily, the catechumens were each called by name as they were presented for election. After the sponsors/godparents testified to the catechumens’ sufficient preparation and the catechumens were questioned about their readiness, they were called forward to greet the bishop and sign the Book of the Elect.

After signing was complete, the Book of Elect was presented to the bishop and he announced to “the elect” that they were chosen for initiation at the Easter Vigil.

As the rite came to a close, the bishop prayed over the elect: “Almighty, most beloved father, whose will it is to renew all things in Christ and who draw all people to him, graciously guide these elect of the church and grant that, faithful to the calling they have received, they may be built up into the kingdom of your son and be sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

The service continued with sung Vespers.

The 65 who were elected will continue formation in the faith until the Easter Vigil when they receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist in their home parishes.

On that same day, Feb. 22, some individual parishes held the Call to Continuing Conversion for those already baptized but have not yet been confirmed or received first Communion. For them, the candidates for full initiation, their journey to the Catholic faith will also culminate at the Easter Vigil.

Participants react
Among the unbaptized to participate in the Rite of Election at the Cathedral were men, women and children.

Brittani Sohn of Spencer signs the Book of Elect.Jovanny Ramirez, 11, from St. Mary Parish in Storm Lake called it a special day. 

“I loved being a part of this day. It was amazing to write my name in the book,” he said, adding that the Cathedral was amazing, too.

Brittani Sohn, 28, of Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer, described the rite as very moving.

“It makes me look forward to stepping into the Catholic faith,” she said. “I’ve never been baptized or confirmed, so this is my first experience. I am excited, with the help of my godparent and teachers, to go forward with this journey.”

Sohn acknowledged that she was not sure what to expect during the liturgy and pointed out that she had never seen incense used in a liturgy so found that interesting.

“The bishop’s messages were very personal and you could tell even when he was speaking to us downstairs that he is very passionate about what he does – you could hear it in his words,” she said.

Stephan West of St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll attended the Rite of Election with his wife and the two youngest of his four children.

Raised Mormon, he noted his wife is Catholic and all his children were baptized in the Catholic Church.

“The more I saw and traveled around and went to different churches, different Masses, I started picking things up over the last 20 years I have been with my wife,” he said, adding that his grandmother was also Catholic. “It was time and I have been working on it about two years now. I really enjoy it.”

West pointed out that he had not yet picked out a saint for confirmation but has been inspired to select St. James after listening to the bishop’s talk before the Rite of Election. In addition, his dad’s name is James.

“I am very much looking forward to being baptized so I can take the Eucharist with my wife and children,” he said.

Bishop’s conversation
A reception that included a talk by Bishop Keehner along with a brief Q and A session were 

Bishop Keehner personally greeted each table of guests at the reception.

held in the Cathedral Parish Hall prior to the Rite of Election.

“This is my first Rite of Election as a bishop,” said Bishop Keehner shared in his opening comments at the reception, noting that he had been through it many times as a pastor, rector of the cathedral in his home Diocese of Youngstown in Ohio and even with his mother, who joined the church. “Please know how happy I am that you are taking this huge step in your lives, committing yourself to Jesus Christ and saying, ‘Yes, I want to be baptized and a member of the church.’”

The bishop explained that during the rite, he will choose them to enter into the final period of 
preparation of the sacraments.

He asked them to think about what it felt like to be chosen.

“I think a lot of people go through life feeling invisible. You are never invisible to God. You are

Bishop Keehner gave a talk and answered questions prior to the Rite of Election.

never invisible to God and you are not invisible to the church either,” Bishop Keehner said.Calling their election an important step in their preparation, he reflected on the fact that they also did the “choosing” as they that they chose to inquire and learn about the faith as well as commit to enter into a relationship with God and his son Jesus.

“The Rite of Election, however, is an acknowledgement not that you have chosen God but that God originally chose you,” said the bishop.

Reciting Scripture from the Gospel of Mark 3:13-19 centered on Jesus appointing his 12 apostles, Bishop Keehner noted, “The most important part of being called to be a disciple, is to be with Jesus. Not to do anything in particular, but to be in that relationship with him.”

As the unbaptized continued preparation for the sacraments, the bishop said that is what the church asked of them over the next few weeks.

“Allow yourself to be with Jesus who wants to be in that intimate, life-giving friendship with you,” he said. “I invite you to allow yourselves to be loved by Jesus. Allow yourselves to be known by Jesus and in turn to know him, love him and accept him into your life as a part of every moment you live.”