“This is something that I have wanted for a long time,” Berry said. “It has been like a slow build. Now I’m at a full boil.”
About 1,300 youth and adults participated in Rite of Election ceremonies throughout the Diocese Feb. 20-22. About 300 adults are currently preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation this Easter. This year the number of youth ages 8-18 entering the Church is more than double the number of adults. About 850 youth are expected to receive the Sacraments at Easter Vigil services.
At the Rite of Election, catechumens publicly expressed to Bishop Gerald Barnes and Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego their desire for Baptism and wrote their names in a book. Following the Rite the catechumens are known as “the Elect.”
Berry is Beverly Bromley’s fifth catechumen receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. Each person she has accompanied has been different. Journeying with Berry, however, has been particularly special.
“It is always an incredible journey,” Bromley said. “She came in with 1,000 questions and will leave with 1,000 more, just like the rest of us. It’s been a privilege to see her bloom and blossom.”
Berry began the R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process with a one-year-old child and another on the way. A nurse and mother of two, her goal to make her faith a priority in life has become a family affair. Many times her husband takes care of the children while she attends formation sessions or church functions.
“There was a longing to have my relationship with God solidified… now it is such a deep yearning,” Berry said. “The more I learn, the more I want it.”
Also in attendance at the Rite of Election services for adults were candidates, baptized adults who wish to complete their Sacraments of Initiation this year. This year the local church expects 174 adults to complete their Sacraments of Initiation.
At the Liturgy, the candidates stood before the Bishop and professed their desire to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. Jim Gore from St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside, was one of them.
“Being surrounded by all these people who are going through the same thing, it is exciting,” Gore said.
Gore recently lost his wife to cancer. As he watched his wife of 42 years battle cancer, he noticed her faith in God gave her the strength to carry on. At the end, she was at peace.
“I want the same. I want to do everything I can to be able to be in the same place as her,” Gore said.
His son completed his Sacraments of Initiation last year. The formation process has helped him fill in the gaps. Being married to a faithful Catholic, he entered formation already aware of some of the Church’s teachings.
Al Lara, Gore’s sponsor, has known the Gore for years, and was hoping he would take this step. He is happy to be a part of this journey and looks forward to seeing his friend receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation in the coming months.
“I see him wanting to get closer to God,” Lara said. “This has been both enlightening and comforting. I know he wants it very badly.”