Hundreds take major step to become members of Church

METUCHEN — An hour before the diocese’s annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion began March 1, there was standing room only for visitors in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.

The diocese’s Mother Church was filled with 305 candidates and catechumens who were ready to take an important step on their faith journey. They included adults, teens and children who had come to express their desire to become members of the Catholic Church. With them were those chosen to be godparents and sponsors as well as family, friends and parish catechists.

Held on the first Sunday of Lent, the Rite of Election publicly confirmed the catechumens seeking the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation and first holy Communion) were spiritually prepared. The Call to Continuing Conversion recognized the candidates who had been baptized as Catholics or in other Christian faiths were ready for full communion with the Church. 

The readings, Gospel, acclamations, and intercessions were read in English and Spanish to reflect the demographic present. In his homily, Bishop James F. Checchio acknowledged the 174 baptized candidates seeking full communion with the Church and the 131 catechumens going through the formation period of becoming a Christian in the Catholic Church, by equating their journey to Jesus’ three temptations by the devil in the desert.

“My brothers and sisters in Christ, we too need to follow Jesus’ example. It takes discipline, it takes perseverance to be a faithful, Catholic Christian disciple of the Lord, in our world, in our day. You have shown enough discipline and dedication that today your godparents, your sponsors, your catechists, judge you to be ready,” Bishop Checchio said to the candidates and catechumens. “They testify to the Church today, publicly, on your behalf that you…have undergone a conversion in mind and action, that you have developed a sufficient acquaintance with Catholic teaching, as well as the spirit of charity, in your faith.

“I thank you for accepting this journey, for accepting Jesus’ call and embracing it, allowing him to love you, to nourish you, to support you, to accompany you throughout your life.”

During the celebration, amid intermittent applause in affirmation from the assembly, proud parents, sponsors, and friends were all smiles of encouragement for their loved ones. Then, following a positive response from the group of their intentions to enter fully into the life of the Church, the candidates and catechumens were invited by Sara A. Sharlow, director, diocesan 

Office of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), to cross the sanctuary one-by-one to be congratulated by Bishop Checchio. They included individuals of all ages and ethnicities. With the younger set, the bishop made certain to share an extra word or two with them as he shook their hand.

It will be at the Easter Vigil in their parishes, that the catechumens will become Catholics and the candidate become full members of the Church.

“It was good for them to see such a fully packed house,” said Ginger Tornambe, an RCIA catechist at St. Andrew Parish, Avenel, a former Methodist who converted to Catholicism 54 years ago. “It says to them, ‘Wow, there are a lot of people here who feel like I do, who believe what I’m learning, and they’re here for me today.’

“This is just such a wonderful experience. I’ve been here many times and, of course, each time is different.”

Tornambe and her husband, Paul, were asked by their pastor seven years ago to participate as team members in the RCIA program. She has gained much from the experience.

“I will tell you, whenever you’re teaching kids or anybody about your religion, you learn more about it yourself,” she said. “When you try to explain it to somebody else you find a way to understand it more deeply.”

Manishka Mishra, who is Hindu, was excited for her future. She will be marrying her sponsor, fiancé Steven Holloway, in August at St. Matthias Church, Somerset, following completion of her catechumenate this Easter. Her mother once worked alongside Mother Teresa so preparation into the Catholic Church was never an issue for her family.

“I think it’s really important and especially for our shared life together,” she said about this chapter of her life and her pending marriage. “I know how important it is to [Steven] and his family. My culture, my heritage, and the way I was raised is not really going to be lost. I’m just adding to what I already have.” 

Following the Rite of Election, the bishop posed for photos with the candidates and catechumens as they mingled with other participants and supporters. As they look forward to a new life as Christians in the Catholic Church, perhaps each will heed and appreciate the substance of the Bishop’s words when he said to them: “We need you. The Church needs you. Our world needs you.”