CHURCHES around Brisbane will welcome 145 people into the Church this Easter.
A packed St Stephen’s Cathedral saw 85 catechumens and 60 candidates step forward for the Rite of Election last Sunday, the final step on the path to the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
Evangelisation Brisbane adult formation project officer Lisa McKerr said it was a beautiful liturgy and a great showing of community.
“There’s so many people who are seeing the fullness of the Church – this might have been the first time they’ve been to the cathedral, seeing the archbishop and it’s really such a joyful day,” she said.
“People are just so happy to be there.
“So many people want to be part of the Catholic Church, it’s great to see.”
She said people had picnics in their parish groups on the grass after the liturgy and there was a real atmosphere of joy and welcome.
“It’s a good showing of community,” she said, “It was really nice to see so many parish groups coming together”.
As someone who co-ordinates Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for Brisbane archdiocese, Mrs McKerr said sharing stories was a powerful witness for growing the Church.
“Any time we can share our stories or share our experiences of parish community, and of our Church – that helps draw people and we can be a bridge to draw people in,” she said.
“The more we talk about our faith, the impact it has on our life and us personally, the more impact we’ll have on bringing people to the Church.”
The Rite of Election has roots in traditions held since the early centuries of the Church but has existed in its current form since the promulgation of the RCIA in 1972.
Mrs McKerr said the Rite of Election was one of two annual liturgical celebrations for the whole archdiocese – the other being Chrism Mass.
“It’s open for the whole archdiocese,” she said.
If you would like to find out more about becoming Catholic, head to: evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/adultformation/rcia/
