396 to become Catholic during Rite of Election
The services will take place in Youngstown and Canton.
YOUNGSTOWN -- During a Rite of Election on Sunday, 396 men, women and children will become members of the Catholic Church in the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.They will be presented to Monsignor Robert J. Siffrin, diocesan administrator, at 2 p.m. at St. Columba Cathedral or to Monsignor John A. Zuraw, executive director of Clergy and Religious Services, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in Canton.
During the Rite of Election, godparents, sponsors and members of the assembly are asked to attest to the readiness of these men, women and children for the Sacraments of Initiation. The candidates will then continue their final preparation for Easter in parishes around the diocese. Along with all Catholics, they will observe the weeks of Lent as a time of spiritual recollection in anticipation of Easter.
On April 7, the Easter vigil, 146 people will receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. Another 250 people who have already been baptized in other Christian traditions will make a profession of the Catholic faith and receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist.
For many months, these people have participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a process through which they become familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Catholic way of life. They also learn about and participate in the apostolic mission of the Church.
For more information, contact Fran Amer, Office of Worship, (330) 744-8451, Ext. 282.