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New Catholics ‘will make a difference in Church and world’
Twenty-four people, along with their sponsors, godparents, families and parish priests, joined Bishop Terry in the cathedral for the annual Rite of Election.
Our diocesan choir led music and helped create a prayerful atmosphere. Along with this prayerfulness, a great spirit of joy could be felt and was reflected in the way those present participated in the service. This year, we welcomed 16 adults who are already baptised and preparing to be received into full communion with the Church in their parish during the Easter Vigil. The other eight adults will be baptised and received into the Church at the same time. Bishop Terry preached a thought-provoking homily that is also a wonderful Lenten reflection for all of us. Here is an extract:
You have been following that “one man, Jesus Christ”. He has been calling you to follow him even more closely until now you want to join all his followers in the Church. You make a difference for the Church, and with the Church, you make a difference in the world. Together and individually (but especially together) we are a sign of God's love for the world, particularly for those who suffer.
The ceremony we are celebrating today is called the Rite of Election. In our particular cultural context, we may think of an election as the result of a vote by a certain number of people. There is always an election or two going on somewhere in the world. In
