Office of Worship & Christian Initiation

631 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102 856-583-2865

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for RCIA COORDINATORS

January 3, 2017

The Rite of Election will be celebrated in the Diocese of Camden, the first Sunday in Lent, March 5, 2017. On behalf of Bishop Sullivan, the Diocesan Office of Worship and Christian Initiation happily invites your catechumens, who after a period of discernment, have been found ready, to be called for the Easter Sacraments. The following checklist will help you prepare for the celebration and answer some commonly asked questions.

□ THE DATE & LOCATION

  • Sunday, March 5, 2017 (1st Sunday of Lent).
  • Church of Saint Agnes, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Little Gloucester Rd, Blackwood, NJ
  • 3 p.m. Ceremony: check-in begins at 2 p.m.

□ COMPLETE & RETURN THE REGISTRATION FORM

  • Return no later than Wednesday, February 20, 2017

□ ENTER A PERIOD OF DISCERNMENT WITH YOUR CATECHUMENS

  • The following are eligible to participate in the Rite:

v  Catechumens: Adults or children of catechetical age who will be baptized this Easter Vigil/season must participate in the Rite of Election.

v  Enclosed separately is a guide for Catechetical Discernment to aid in discernment of readiness

v  Please note that Bishop Sullivan wishes to celebrate ONLY the Rite of Election this year. However, Candidates are most welcome to attend this rite.

Marital issues such as annulment and convalidation must be completed prior to Rite of Election. The convalidation need not have been celebrated; it should, however, at least be scheduled.

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□ PREPARE & CELEBRATE THE RITE OF SENDING IN YOUR PARISH

  • During Mass on the first weekend of Lent prior to going to Rite of Election.
  • This rite is found in the RCIA ritual text, #106.
  • Please contact the Office of Worship and Christian Initiation (Cherryl L. Summers 856-583-2901) if you need to order a Book of the Elect.

□ BRING THE BOOK OF THE ELECT WITH YOU TO THE RITE OF ELECTION

  • When prompted by the ushers, the person presenting the catechumens from your parish will lead them forward for recognition by Bishop Sullivan carrying the, already signed, Book of the Elect.


□ As we did last year…..

  • After being greeted by Bishop Sullivan the catechumens will be led into the sanctuary by an usher where they will stand for the remainder of the rite. They will follow Bishop Sullivan out of the church at the conclusion of the Rite.

□ ARRIVE EARLY FOR THE RITE OF ELECTION

  • Please be in place at your assigned location at least 30 minutes before the Rite begins.
  • There will be reserved seating for catechumens, godparents/sponsors, and 2 team members.

Others from your parish will find seats in the non-reserved areas of the church.

v  Seating location will be based on two criteria:

§  any special needs that a Catechumen, sponsor or team member may have with regard to sight, hearing, or mobility;

§  otherwise seating will be assigned according to the order in which the registrations are received.

v  In order to accommodate special needs at the Rite, advance notice is needed. Please contact Cherryl L. Summers or call 856-583-2901 as soon as you are aware that someone from your group needs special accommodation. Please include specific information when you send in your registration.

  • Please be sure that there is one person from your parish to present the catechumens.
  • The RCIA coordinator will pick up name tags at the registration table in the Gathering space of the church prior to the celebration.

□ CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

  • Registration and Logistics – Cherryl Summers at or call 856-583-2901..
  • Other questions: Stephen Obarski or call

856 583 2865.

December 14, 2016

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